Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-14
VISIT TO A HAREM.

80 there twice. The first time was mere
yis,t but the second was to spend the day.
must endeavor to describe it for you. AT the
cate we were received by a dozen black eu-
nuchs, who led us to the garden gate, where we
found three girls playing upon different Arab
instruments, while two others were singing ana
two dancing, magnifcently dressed in crimson
and blue cloth. embroidered In gold-the full
pantaloon hanging over the foot Just allowing an
embroidered slipper, to be seen: jacket tight 10
the shape, without sleeves, open niue upon
the chest where appeared chemise OF blue or
white pauze closely spangled, sleeves OF the
same hanging large and full to the elbow, and
down behind in a dozen plaits; and on the sloe
and top of the head large sprlns oil diamonds.
A sash of gold tissue, with deep gold fringe,
finished the dress. These pretty creatures pre-
coded US to the palace door, where we were met
like old friends by the Sultana, her maids of no.
nor and attendants, to the number OF a hundred
at least. The great hall of state into which
we were ushered was an immense one: lined and
hoored with white marble; In the centre basin
Is feet square, and large fountain, rom wniGa
the clearest water was playing; the ceiling richly
painted and Gilt; one side OF the hall lined with
ottomans of white silk, embroidered with gold,
and beautiful Persian carpet spread nlront oi
them. As soon as we were seated Gomez anu
pines were handed to u.s. The Sultana Is aoout
35 wears old, with fine face, though the eyes
stern-digni6ed and affdble in her manners
Her dress was chali, made in Turkish style, on,
ly more closed over the neck. On her head
was sort Of scull-cap, formed entirely OF dla-
monds Around this was twisted an emoroloer-
ed kerchief and on the LETT side down near Inc
ear, was placed sprig OF flowers, made OF
enormous diamonds; earrings, single pair,
shaped like drop, as large as the end OF my lit
tie finger and on little finger was most SUI
nsrb diamond ring. Around Us stood the hun
dred attendants, dressed in colored silks, and
every one, evenof the lowest rank, with heads
covered with diamonds. The pipe-stems ana
sockets Of the coffee cups were also covered
with these precoue stones. Such a glitter
never saw before. An Armenian woman who
smoke Italian was there as our inter profess. our
cloves and buckles excited their admiration,
indeed our whole dress. don't know that
ever was so hauled and pulled about as was
that day.
We were taken all over the palace, and it We'd
throughout in elegance with the great hall. AT
halfpasttwelve we were led by the Su!tana down
70 the reception room to dinner. As we enter
ed Girls bearing silver basins approached; others
AGAIN presented us towels. On the centre OF the
Persian carpet was placed small table, about
n fnot square, covered with cloth OF gold It's
sue On that was q circular glass waiter, about
three feet in diameter. In the centre was dish
of roast mutton. The Sultana sat down, with
INV mother and self on either side OF her; then,
E-and G., and lady of the Court for
merly a slave of the Pasha's, now married to
a colonel. The Interpreters stood and carved
firms. The china was French and handsome
silver knives and forks, &C.. which the Sultana
knew not how to use. punched ather meat in
Almost unmerciful manner. When We sat downsa
napkin was placed on each oil our iaps; ahoth-
ar embroidered in gold laid over the right shout
Jer and a third, and finer one, laid upon the
Ian IN wine the mouth with. Some OF the slaves
tanned us-some held the different dlshes-oth-
ers salyers of knives, and others again silver
n,tchers, and so on. What with the beautiful
dresses, the glitter OF gold and diamonds, the
diyan the spacious hall and fountain, 1t seemed
that the scenes of the Arabian nights were real
;zed before me- | wish you could have seen it.
C,ur only regret was that this beautiful scene
could not be enjoyed by some OF our friends
II is said there is no pleasure without PAIN
Truly il was so in this case. The dinner was
.imost too much for us. We counted thirty
nine different dishes, served one at time, and
81 Zach we were obliged to eat a little. And so
strangely served as they were! The first five
dishes were of mutton, rice &c.,-then sweet
d;eh-then fried fish, and fried lemons-then
meat-then another sweet disn-next lfied nsh
and nuts.-and so on till the thirty ninth-which
was strewed rice and bonny clabber. The glass
salver was then taken away, and silver one
with melons, peaches, grapes, &c. replaced II.
When we rose from table, the girls with the ba-
sins kpelt before us, and hands were washed as be-
fore. when pipes and coffee were given US to hnish
eff with. While we smoked, the Sultana retir-
cd n prayers, which she does five times a day.
Then if you could have witnessed the scene,
YOU would have imagined us amongst
parcel of great children Oh, how we were
dragged about, patted and pulled, each woman
declaring we belonged to her and should not
sneak TO others. AT 3 o'clock, we were sent for
to depart, as the gentlemen were satiated with
smokino and could wait no longer. They had
been with the Governor all this time. The Sui
tana held us tight and said, the Capidan Pasha
had no business to send for us; and it was four
nata
great procession through the garden. First
went the musical, dancing and singing girls
then the Sultana and ourselves, and slaves bear
ing fans of peacock's feathers over our heads
and then came the attendants. AT the garden
gate. sherbert was handed, when We took a
kind farewell Of our hospitable Sultana and
were consigned to the care of the Eunuchs, and
at the carriage found the gentlemen impatient
TO hear all about what he had seen.
We understand that another affair of honor |
was settled at Bladensburg, on Saturday morn
ronrhatantS nlidSh:nmen he- 4