text:  The shoemakers' saddlers' and tanners' guilds are among the strongest in point of numbers and from them were drawn the _elite_ of the janissaries stationed in the capital after the cruel system of seizing Christian children for recruits had been discontinued; the tailors are also a numerous and resolute craft generally well affected to government to which they rendered important services in the overthrow of the janissaries in 1826 when the Sandjak-Shereef[32] was displayed in pursuance of the _Fethwa_ of the mufti excommunicating the sons of Hadji-Bektash and the guilds mustered in arms by thousands for the support of the Sheikh al Islam and the Commander of the Faithful