Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-08-18
SALE OF A FEMALE AT CONSTANT.
NOPIE

Tho following description Of the sale Of 4
young female Is from Colton's visit 10 Con-
| stantlnoble. II is forcibie illustration Of the
estimation IN which women are held in the
, land Of the Ottoman.
From the freshening enloyments Of
the bath. started of, with my Armc-
man guide. for the Aurat Bazaar, where
instead of the robes and weapons, they
deal in beauty and in blood. The only
being who there appe AIRED to excite any
great degree Of interest among the pur-
chasers, was young Georgian who
was surreptitiously taken, several years
since, from her native provinces, and
brought TO this city. where she was
purchased by Jew; who to enhance
her value. placed her in a situation
where she had acquired many person.
al accomplishments. The violent de ath
OF her attentive proprietor had, perhaps
fastened her disposal; at least it was
the cause Of the sale being more pub
lie than is usually the case where an in
dividual so sweetly recommended in
her charms is TO be purchased. She
appeared TO be about fifteen years of
age, yet. at that period, TO have attain ed
her full stature, and maturity Of form
which after years NAV confirm, not
improve. She had on an extremely
thin and plant robe. which every
breath of the breeze that was STIRRING
carried against her form. displaying its
rich and graceful proportions. Her
carriage was free, easy and winning,
and betrayed retiring consciousness
OF her exposed condition. There was
something IN her air which seemed TO
evince q slight sense of humiliation
and sorrow; yet so far from her injuring
her attractions, II gave them cast of
extreme dehcacy and sweetness. Had
she been trained exclusively in refe-
renee to this occasion. and taken the
deepest interest in the issue, IL is i'm
possible 10 conceive in what respect
she could have heightened the impress
SION whichhor youth. beauty, and art
less demeanor created.
Several of the Turks present appear
ed very intent on her purchase: thew
watched her slightest motion with shat
yearning fondness which one reveals
when surveying fascinating object
that is only just beyond possession
They presumed not TO lay hand even
on the borders of her dress, or to lift
the long thin veil that would have
quite concealed her beautiful face, had
she not permitted the rufiling air now
and then TO carry it partially aside
The female servants attended near by
IN respectful silence, and evident grief,
at the thought of their separation from
their young mistress. My eyes were
so attracted TO the rich flow Of her chest
nut hair. as il noated down her shout
ders IN long luxuriant feStoons, and TO
the swimming soitness OF her large blue
eyes. which her stirred veil occasional
ly disclosed, that did not at first no.
uce the excitement which commence
mcnt OF the sale had created among the
by-standers. A number Of offers were
made. raising above each other in quick
succession, I'LL at last reaching twenty
seven bundled dollars, IL created for
some time a breathless pause, when
one Of the company, stepping TO the
salesman, said something in a tone al
together inaudible, and the auction Of
charms closed. II was instantly ru-
mored that the individual who had
made the last and successful offer, was
an agent Of the Refs E6endi, who in.
tended TO make present of tins beau
tiful Georgian TO the Sultan. This ap-
peared to reconcile, in some measure.
the unsuccessful competitors to their
Experimentation they turned
away from the spot with the look Of one
who has lucklessly los, an invaluable
treasure.