Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 17.4.4

17.4.4

About one hour before day-break, and after having performed the usual evacuations and ablutions, he went through his devotions, and then sate in state in the great hall, where he gave a public audience twice a week, to afford an opportunity to every suitor of speaking to him. The Friday he abstained from all business ; but there were four days in the week, where he spoke of nothing else; and then he divided his time in the following manner : In the morning his friends were admitted and drank coffee with him ; after which were admitted his acquaintances and others, some of whom sate only a little, and others withdrew immediately after having made their bow. After this, he sate still two hours more, and then retired to an apartment reputed belonging to the sanctuary, and where none were admitted but old females of the seraglio, and trusty eunuchs. The Mutosuddies and heads of the several offices remained without ; but occasionally transmitted by the hands of the eunuchs such of their papers as required his perusal or signature. These he perused in private and in silence, and after having examined the contents, he returned them, signed or rejected, as he thought proper ; and meanwhile, his friends, and the principal persons of his Court, amongst which was also this most inconsiderable of mankind, were sitting without, in a hall separated from his closet by a curtain. His Secretaries also attended there, and occasionally sent in their minutes by the hands of an eunuch;