Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-06-03

Having been well instructed, | had dres-
lsed hyself gaudily and strikingly, whilst
my companions, happening to be mourn
| ing, were all in black. Therefore pleas
ea the princess the best; she led me by
the hand, and pressed me to eat. Our
collation consisted of sweetmeats.
II When we had eaten enough, the re-
Emainder was packed into baskets, one of
which was sent to each lady's house.
Whilst we were eating,the hey, his sbroth-
Ter, and several Of the princes appeared,
gazed curiously at us, and withdrew
without speaking word. Our visit end
ed by tour through the harem, of which
all the rooms were furnished alike; on
ly sleeping cabinet of the bey's had any
thing remarkable, and Of that the walls
were decorated from top to bottom with
small watches. The princess accom-
panied us to the harem door. The we'd
ding was far more interesting. The
ceremonies were performed in beauti-
full marble court of the harem, over
which was spread magnificent scarlet
awning.
Atthe door of every room were placed
waxed candles of a foot in diameter, and
painted with red and green winding
stripes. Over the fountain burnt hum
dreds Of va-iegated lamps, and the whole
scene called to mind the Arabian tales.
To the sound of music, the bride seated
upon cushion Of gold brocade, was
brought in by her brothers, and placed
on an old-fashioned very costlyarm chair,
that stood in the centre Of the court
Her dress was extraordinarily magnifi-
cent and heavy; the most remarkable
parts being diadem loaded with jewels,
splendid anklets, and dazzling bracelets.
Arms and feet were bare; the soles and
a small portion of the sides Of the latter,
as well as the finger and toe nails, were
colored a reddish brown with henna, and
and eye-lashes were dyed
black. She appeared with closed eyes
which she was not allowed to open dur
ing the whole day; and the husband was
not permitted to see her for the three
first days Of their marriage. Beside her
stood two dancing girls, and before her
stood the negress with colossal tinc-
tured basin, in which were deposited the
presents Of gold, Jewels and other valua-
bles offered to her, whilst the nature Of
the gifts and the names of the givers were
rehearsed aloud. Every two hours the
bride was carried to her room upon the
same cushion, new dressed and brought
back TO her arm chair. During this
whole day the poor soul must not eat ;
so that between fatigue, fasting and tha
weight Of her dress and Jewels, she was
repeatedly near fainting, when an old
negress always put a pastle to her mouth,
which evidently strengthened her. Our
repast, as before, consisted of sweetmeats
and coffee, chocolate, lemonade, &c (;
but the bey himself was more conversa-
BILE upon the present occasion, playing
the friendly host, often telling us the
house was ours, to use at pleasure. He
himself took a candle to show us the bri-
dal couch, Of white satin, tastefully en-
broidered with gold, and which, on ac-
count of its height, was to- be assembled
by red satin steps. Suddenly the light
he held went out, and we remained a
while in the dark; this was esteemed an
evil omen. y n When the bridegroom
is first admitted to the brides presence !;
the custom is that she should kiss bis
hand, and he place his foot upon hers, not
as conjugal endearments, but in token Of
the husbands sovereignty. This prin-
cess refused to conform to these Gus
toms, as unbecoming her BIRTH
Puckler Muskau, in Africa.