The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-29
A TURKISH APARTMENT.
n ~ ANHRACA1 al n ~ 4hAAAAs ~
From Miss Pmdoe'S FfBeaeties Of the BoSpho-
rus"
"Tho moveabIes were prodigally rich;

DOoptO-
UT'he moveabes were prodigally rich;
Sofas, twas half sin to sit upon,
SO costly were they; carpets every stitch
OF workmanship so rare, that made you wish
You could glide DER them like golden FISH,"
BYRON.
Nothing can exceed the beautiful cleanliness
of a Turkish harem, save its order; not gram
of dust, not a footmarlS, sullied the surface OF
the India mating that covers the large hall
whence the several apartments branch otfin every
direction while the furniture of the rooms them
selves is always fresh, and scrupulously Arrange
ed The ceilings are deliberately ornamented /;
and in the houses olthe rich, where the apart
ments are of great size, curtain OF tapestry is
frequently used as a means of reducing their ex-
tent. The widows are always closely set to-
gether, and very numerous andwhen the room
chances to be situated in an angle of the build
ing, the three unconnected sideshave very much
the appearance of a lantern.
At the lower end of the APP artment are large
closets for the reception of the bedding Qor none
are appropriated exclusively as sleeping cham
bers,) and the slaves of the household no sooner
ascertain that the visiter has risen, than half
dozen of them commence removing every vestige
of the couch, and depositing within the closet
the mattresses of embroidered satin, the sheet of
gauze or worked muslin, the half dozen pillows
of brocaded silk, and the wadded coverlets, rich
with silver fringe, and gay with party-colored
needle-worlx, which have formed the bed. low
sofa or divan runs round the other three sides of
the apartment, luxuriously supplied with cush-
ions, and richly covered with cut velvet or en-
broidered satin; and the floor is invaribly spread
with soft and handsome carpets
1t is an amusing fact, than an idea of lmpro'
priety is attached by Europeans who have never
visited the East, to the very name OF hareeIIIui
while it is not less laughable that they can new
er give a reason for the prejudice! How little
dafir ewist for f4la
must be evident at once, when it is stated that
the harem, or wor.Ian's apartments, are held so
sacred by the turks themselves, that they re-
main inviolate even in cases of popular disturbs
ance, or individual delinquency; the mob never
suffering their violence to betray them into an IN
trusion of the wives of their victims and the
search after fugitive ceasing the moment that
the door of the harem separates him from his
pursuers.
undoubted right to enter the apartment OF his
wives at all hours, it is privilege OF which
he rarely if ever, avails himself. One room IN
the harem is appropriated to the master OF the
house, and therein he awaits the appearance of
the individual with whom he wishes to con-
verse, and who is summoned to his presence by a
slave. Should he, on passing to this apartment,
see slippers at the foot of the stairs "a token that
female visitor is in the harem) he cannot, under
any pretence whatever, intrude himself into her
pIeStHCcJ IL - IL ilbSILy winch CNOiJ "o'h"' Al
the empire would resent; and when guests are
on visit of some days, he sends slave forward
to announce his approach, and thus gives them
time and opportunity to withdraw.
Every good harem has commodious bath, and
garden gay with flowers and fountains attach
ed to it, where the women may wander at will
among the leaves and birds, or dream the sultry
hours in their pretty kiosques, overhanging the
Bosphorus, where from behind the shade OF their
latticed easements they can breathe the cool air
from the water and mark the arrowy speed of
the graceful caiques, as they fly along the chan
nell =
The amusements of the harem are few and
simple; the bath is the greatest luxury, the re-
mainder of the day being spent in lounging on
&. the diyan; listening to the music of the zebec,
! played by one of the slaves, and accompanied by
the voices of others; in the arrangement of the
Jewels worn upon the turban; in playing with
the birds whose gilded cages glitter upon the
walls; in spelling all the children within reach;
in eating sweetmeats and drinking water or
amid the cool shadows of the garden, hearing
the fall of the fountains and whispering of the
leaves, or listening to the wondrous tales of the
Massaldjhe, ever a welcome guest in the harcm,
where her marvellous variations are received
with deep attention and perfect faith emf
nently inspiring Then there is the naniez or
prayer, five times day, never neglected by Turk
ish women; when deeply yelled, as unworthy to
appear before Allah with abare brow, they spread
their prayer carpet, and turning their faces Mec-
caward, they humbly and earnestly perform their
devotions These are their home occupations;
but it is great fallacy to imagine that Turkish
females are like birds in cage, or captives in a
cell far from it; there is not public festival,
be it Turk, Frank, Armenian, or Greek, where
they are not to be seen in numbers, setting upon
their carpets, or in their carriages, surrounded
by slaves and attendants, eager and delighted
spectators of the revel They have their gilded
and glittering caiques on the Bosphorus, where,
protected by their wells, their ample mantes, and
their negro guard, they spend long hours visiting
acquaintances, and gathering and dispensing the
gossip of the city. III fss
All this may, and indeed must appear startling
to persons who have accustomed themselves to
believe that Turkish wives were morally mama
cled slaves. There are, probably, no womeA SO
little trameled in the world; so free to come and
go unquestioned, provided they are suitably at
tended; while it is equally certain that they enjoy
this privilege like innocent and happy children,
making their pleasures Of the flowers and sun
shine; and revealing like the birds and bees amid
the summer brightness, profting by the enjoy
ment Of the passing hour, and reckless or
thoughtless of the future. & ae IL lta sss
- Atso-sz=s zTsEa see0r8 Les 81 .qs ~