The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-24 00:00:00

INSIDE THE HARE2If.

We drove through a porte-cochere into a large open
court, on one side of which hung a curtain similar to those
at the entrance of Roman Catholic churches. As soon as
we had got out of the carriage; a tall black man appeared,
handed us up the steps, and let the curtain drop behind
us. At this moment, three or four female slaves arrived,
with large glass lanterns, and ushered us up a long stair-
case into a passage; in either hand were small rooms, in
which were other slaves, some embroidering others smok-
ing, or crouched asleep on the ground. This passage led
into a magnificent marble hall, the centre of which was
lighted by a lofty dome, and the four sides formed alcoves,
round which ran a low divan. Here the slaves dis-
encumbered us of our wraps, and we proceeded
through more passages and staircases, some of them
open to the air, then through several large rooms,
with only the usual divan for furniture ; most of
them were entered by a low step, down one or two of which
I slipped. I tegan to think we should never reach the en-
chanted spoz, when signs of habitation, in the shape of a mul •
Situde of red and yellow slippers, showed themselves. Two
more rooms, and a heavy damask was pushed aside, and we
entered a large apartment, at the further end of which was
a divan, on which sat two ladies, both young, and one very
handsome. They were the two married daughters of Natee
Pacha; the tallest and handsomest was the widow of Shereef
Pacha's eldest son, the richest proprietor, not of the royal
family, in all Egypt, She had lost her husband a few months
ago, and on his death had returned to her father's house.
They both rose at our entrance, shook hands with us, put
their hands to their foreheads, and finally made us sit down
by them. As I had come unannounced, they were in their
home neglige, which I was very glad of. The widow was
in a dress of deep red Broussa gauze, and her sister in a
pink and white print. For coiffure they wore a Stamboul
crape:kerchief, covering the top of the head and part of
the torehead ; the ends are brought back and tied in front' -
the hair is cut short, and is either braided or hangs down
to the ears. One slave girl had a long plait down the
back, but that is no longer the fashion—in fact, they cut
off nearly all their hair for the convenience of the bath,
and almost all the braids are false. After a few inquiries
had been made as to who I was, how many
children I had, and what I thought of Eastern man-
ners, the widow began showing us her dress, which she
said was a new stuff just come from Stamboul. I told her j
I had been there, and had seen the material ; I did not
say that it was four years ago. By this time cigarettes
and chafing-dishes had been brought us, and the room,
large as it was, seemed more than half filled with slaves,
standing, sitting, or crouching in different positions on the
ground, or on the low divan which ran down the two sides
of the room. A table on which stood some candelabra
with lights, and a sort of sideboard over which hung a
large mirror, completed the furniture. On either side of
the mirror was a cupboard, in the doors of which were in-
serted panels of carved wood. The walls were glazed
white, and round the top ran a border, painte d with al
unto of impossible trees, houses, and flowers. A nice little!
boy, about five years old, who was running about, soon
became very friendly; he was the sou of the younger
sister, a fat little girl, who was also brought in to
see us. The boy was dressed in a white blouse, full white
trousers, and the usual crimson tarboosh ; the girl in a blue
jacket and trousers, but her tarboosh was embroidered in
gold and pearls. Her nurse returned again with her in a few
minutes, carrying over her head a blue silk parasol, which
her mother, the widow, took and gazed at with almost as
much pride as at her child. I asked how long the boy
would be allowed to be present when they received female
visitors, and was told till he was eight years old, after
which a woman would be considered immodest who per-
mitted him to see her face unveiled.--Once a Week.

A DISAPPOINTMENT.

(From Punch )

It was thought that at length there was a change in the
American telegrams, and that we were going to hear of a
Federal success. The wire brought the following words:—

" General lifflellan has taken —"
Then came a hitch, but the spirits of the friends of the
North went up, and the Morning Star began a beautiful
article of triumph. At last the wire got right again, and.
added—
" The Field ! "

Whereat the Morning Star puts its beautiful article into its
pocket until further notice. However, things might have
been much worse, for though we did not expect the gallant
(and ill-used) M'Clellan to take Richmond, he might have
taken some Snore of his favourite homeopathic medicines.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

TRAFFIC RETURNS FOR THE WEEK.

Miles Opened.