Instruments, Warlike Musical

The Turks made use of wind and clashing instruments of different shapes and sizes; all, except one wind instrument, are better calculated for pomp and ceremony, than adapted to military service. The clashing instruments, which the French call in strum ens à choc , consist of two sorts of drums, and an instrument which is made of two plates of metal. Their wind instruments consist of a winding or crooked trumpet, and of a wooden fife. The big drum which they call daul , stands 3 feet high. It is carried by a mounted drummer, who makes use of a thick stick, with which he strikes the upper part, and a small one, with which he plays upon the lower part; these he applies alternately, with much dexterity of hand and great gravity of countenance. This is the only instrument which the Turks use in military exercises or manœuvres, and is constantly beaten when the enemy is near, and round all the outposts, in order to keep the sentinels on the alert. On these occasions the drummer exclaims with a loud voice, Jagda Allah! that is, “God is good!”