Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-06-07
A TUNIsIAN WEDDING.

In the castle yard (said consular la.
dy to Prince puckler Muskau) we were
received by the bey's secretary minis.
ter, and conducted to the door orthe Sc.
cord court. At the double door of the
harem two Mamelukes were stationed
on guard, one of whom summoned an
Italian lnterpretress, who invited us in.
The room into which we were intro
duced was hung with gold embroidered
satin guilt bird cages were hung from
the ceiling, and even here the walls
were coverd with weapons. Opposite
to us, on an ottoman, sat the bey's wife,
richly but not tasteiully dressed. She
rose, received us with the words "Bless.
ed be your entrancel and may you stay
as long as is agreeable to you !" and
made us sit beside her. Her arms and
teet were bare, and on the latter she
wore small embroidered slippers, which
so little came on to the foot, that she
held them fast when she moved be.
tween the great toe and the one next to
1t. From our seat we looked through
several rooms, in which were crowds
oil black and white female slaves, sit.
ting on the ground, some chatterinr.
others varlously occupied. Altogeth.
er must have seen upwards of thou.
sand. Having been well instructed,
had dressed myself gaudily and stri
kngly, whist my companions, happen.
ing to be in mourning, were all in
black | therefore pleased the princess
the best. She led me by the hand, and
pressed me to eat. Our collation. con.
sisted of sweatmcats. When we had
eaten enough, the remainder was pack.
cd INTO baskets, one Of which was sent
to each lady's house. Whilst we were
eating, the hey, his brother, and sew
eral of the princes appeared, gozed Gu.
riously al us, and withdrew without
speaking word. Our visit ended bv
a tour through the harem, OF which all
the rooms were furnished aike. Only
a 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 hatem door. The
wedding was far more interesting
The ceremonies were performed in
beautiful marble court Of the harem.
over which was spread magnificent
scarlet awning. At the door of every
room were placed wax candles Of
foot in diameter, and painted with red
and green winding stripes. Over the
fountain burnt hundreds Of variecated
lamps, and the whole scene recalled
the Arabian tales. To the sound of
music, the bride, seated upon a cush-
ion of gold brccade, was brought in by
her brothers, and placed in an old FASH
Toned, very costly chair, that stood in
the centre of the court. Her dress was
extraordinarily magnificent and heavy
the most remarkable parts being a
diadem loaded with jewels, splendid
anklets, and dazzling bracelets. Her
arms and feet were bare the soles
and small portion Of the sides Of the
latter, as we'll as the finger and toe
nails, were colofed of reddish brown
with henna, and the eye brows and
eye lashes were dyed black. She APP
peared with closed eyes, which she was
mot allowed TO open during the whole
day and the husband was not permit.
ted to see her for the first three DAYS
after their marriage. Beside her stood
two dancing girls, and before her me-
gress with colossal lacquered basin,
in which were deposited the presents of
gold, jewels, and other valuables offer
ed to her, whilst the -nature Of the gifts
and the names Of the givers were re
hearsed aloud. Every two hours the
bride was carried to. her room on 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 the