Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-04
CIRCASSIAN WOMEN.

History, travellers, and romance, have said
nothing of the beauty of Crcassan women,
which rs not below the truth. Beauty has been
considered an mag mary being, a thing Of IN.
:. yention; and to justify his idea, II is alleged
that what is beautiful TO the eyes of one pro-
! pie Is not to those OF another: thai "A Chinese
| beauty would have no charms III France or
England and, in like manner, that the French
| or English beauty would have no attract ons
in the eyes of Chinese. But the beauty OF
! the Crcassian women is Il sufficient answer 10
! this reasoning; since they arc Acknowledged
| 20 be beautiful, by al na;ions. They are ever
whore Ought after; and are the ornament OF
all the scraglos of ASIA, Africa. and E.rolc.
because they possess that pleasing unor Of
features; that l.oporio OF all Tie pnr's OF tic
body, that splendor, those brilliant TINS. that
whole, that cannot be defined. but VII ca 49,
lists, and necessarily constitutes beauty, s.n,e
all men render il homage.
1t is only in this pom: Of view, that the ~
habitunts of CIrcassia Ga country between tho
Caspian and Black Seas,) deserve the alter
ton of the observing traveller. 1t will easily
be conceived, that the nation which considers
woman as merchandise, can never make her 4
companion, nor consider marriage q sacred and
ndlssoluble union. We find, accordingly, that
the Crcasslans have many wives, whom tlcy
change at pleasure; but the first wife alway,
has superiority over the others, which moth
ing can take away, and which she retains III,
death.
The first wife. who is usually married when
extremely young, is purchased, like the rest.
in the public markets, where an innumcrablo
multitude of women are exposed 10 sale, habit
ed in the manner which is Judged most likely
to excite the desire Of the buyer. No inquiry
is made with respect 20 whence the woman
was ought: and if the names of her parents
are asked, il is only 20 ascertain whcthe ehe
derives her birth from a stock of pure and ac-
knowledged beauty.
The usual price of beautiful Crcassa, &C.
male Is from eight 10 ten Thousand plaster.
Woman being the principal commerce in
Crcassia, every thing in their education and
habitual life, has for It's object TO pr. serve
their beauty, and facilitate its Geyelopnm,nt.
All domestic occupations are abandoned 10 10
slaves-womcn are solely employed with .he
arts of the toilette and the means of plcasiT g.
They make il particular study 10 moduldie
their voice in soft and melodious tones, ard to
display grace and elegance in every notion.
Their habitaions are intenningled with gar-
den, and form small villages very near 90 ea IA
other, consisting ofabout twenty houses CHI
And in The middle or each of these villages is
a strongly fortified tower, in which, in case of
invasion, they shut the women and The riches
OF the country. These towers, as well as al
The houses, are built ofwood, decorated with
great art, and finished with taste.
The dress ofthe Circassian men, is n mix
ture of the Greek and Turkish habits II con-
ssts of pair of wide pantoloons, brsl ins, a
close bodice fastened with girdc, hind of
domino with open sleeves and cap or 'ur-
ban not very high, broad at the top aud narrow
al the bottom. They shave THEN boards, l,lv-
ing very long mustaclios.
The dress of the woman is moro simple nd
pleasing. II consists of pentalcons. bodice
and n long robe IN Armenian taste, or o lergo
furred pclisse. From the cap or b5bnet of'
shape of sugar loaf, hangs vcil This bon
net Is richly ornamcn'rd with pearls.
J The dress is never sold With 'tc woman M
3 less agreed for separately. The tircassian