The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-09

TURKISH LADIES--A FIRMAN ON
HOSE

TURKISH LADIES-A FIRMAN ON
HOSE.
The ladies will be heartily amused with the
document which we annex, which is an authen-
tic anslation Of a frman recently issued 10
Constantinople Ii appears that the Turkish la
dies in that city have shown disposition TO
adopt European fashions and customs in dis
trsss, which tendency has been promptly put
down by the conservators of public morals
They have driven the women back into their old
mufled up costume, but, at last dates, this had
not been sufficient. The London Chronicle
gives the document annexed, with the introduce
ton from its Constantinople correspondent. We
publish the article as exceedingly amusing.
In order TO explain what may appear ambigu-
Gus in this quaint document, il is necessary TO
observe that the fashion of wearing thread or
silk stockings has atterly become prevalent among
the higher classes Of the Turkish ladies, and that
those who have adopted this Frank custom have
laid aside the short and shapeless yellow boot,
which served them in lieu Of hose" and only
wear the plain slipper when out OF doors. Now,
although the ladies' admit that il would be an
objectionable solecism in propriety to expose
any portion Of the feet or ankles uncovered, they
all declare that there can be nothing ncongruous
in exhibiting the said fractions of their "mortal
COLI when enveoped in stockings. They con-
seqRntly practice divers manGnvres and petty
feminine stratagems to attract attention to their
progress in civilization, and when taken TO task
therefor, attribute the opening of their ferJeesi
(mouths) TO the wind or some other involuntary
cause They are well seconded in their coquet-
fish manGuvres by the construction Of their ara
bas and kotchy These vehicles being high and
unprovided with steps, seem purposely made for
exhibiting pretty feet and ankles seeing that
one foot must precede the other, at least yard
in descending, and then twist about, during
some seconds, in search Of terra frma, or In pur-
suit Of the slipper, which generally ccntrives TO
part company in the effort. But now for the
bcuyonrdy (ieeree,) Of which the following is
declared TO be a tolerably literal translation:
alst of Djemazy ul Khair July 19.)
aThe unity and omnipotence Of God is unde-
niabe From him proceed all things, great and
small. He has ordained the formation OF va
rious substances for the convenience and decent
adornment of all that he has created. Thus he
had accorded feathers to birds-even 10 the ne
yer resting yel-couan (halcyon,) in whose crops
the souls Of the damned perpetualiy wander
He has clothed the lordly cypress with ever YER
dant foliage, and he has girdled the pearl-breed-
ing oyster with impervious shell. BY these
means the nudity Of thee things is concealed at
all seasons, and the glorious munihcence OF their
Maker becomes still more manifest in the air.
upon the land, and in the deep waters.
"Those who possess sound intellects, doubt
less, mediate upon these matters, and, adherng
to prescribed rules, act dscreetly. But others
of frivolous disposition, regardless OF the pangs
| of AL Zakum,* follow the path Of those that go
astray, and thereby accumulate infinite dirt Tor
| their own future consumption.
'.Fascinated by the pernicous example OF ire
| doomed she Kafirs, who unblushingly expose
| TO the sun and moon almost all that a bonntiful
| Creator has accorded them, SO that these lumi-
nares are fain to conceal themselves behind
clouds, in token of modest reprobaton-the mo-
Tiers, wives, sisters, and daughters of true be-
levers. as well as the slaves, their property, have
adopted certain innovations, tending to cut them
| off from those enjoyments, beyond human intel
ligence, promised to the blessed in Paradise.
1.-THE innovations alluded to are the wearing
of woven stockings adhering 10 the form. Now
it is not written that these things are Of them
selves memnou Gllicit.) But things licit become
unlawful from msapplication, even as things
clean become impure from unclean contact
Thus, Inshallah's woven stockings may be worn
for personal convenience, but not displayed as
lurements of Satan to attract the gaze OF licen
tious idlers, nor as incentives to extravagance
pride, and heart-burnings. lnattention to these
facts has produced much scandal, out of doors
and sharp disputes within, not to mention incon
venience to purses.
..Instances, indeed, have come to our ear:
where, in order TO procure coin for the purchase
4 OF tneSe SupeIuuItleS, the stOIldCus Vi CHHuISi
and dependents have remained empty. This
is most reprehensble, and manifest violation
Of all revealed ordinances.
] "Let women, therefore, with the sanction o
i Allah, wear woven stockings OF moderate price
i and becoming texture, as an additional shield
against profane eyes, but let them not, on any nc
count, employ them, as merchants in the ba
zaar expose goods, outwardly, in order to at
tract notice to things within.
4 At h,, &c Ca J,,o
and authority, and enjoin caution when thos,
who are in their tillaget walk forth for air, o
when they make benish (excursions) in boats
In order also to avoid all pretexts for forbid
den exhibitions, when the same 1.-THE tillage
proceed to the celestial waters, to those Of Alley
Bey Koui (sweet waters Of Asia and Europe)
or to any other place of public enjoyment, il
Arabus and Kotchy, let the said heads of ia
miles add steps TO their vehicles, and devils
other means for preventing unseemly incon
gruities.
at is Of common occurrence TO hear indis
Greet persons attribute to the innocent wind
and to other accidents the reprehensible result
of their own premeditated self-ove and ash
bdzhk (coquetry.) This is an augmentatio
of back sliding, and merits objurgation. IL
those whom il may concern, both high an
low, take warning therefore. If they neget
TO do so, they will subject themselves TO a d,
probation of honor in this world, and they WI
be responsible, hereafter, for adding TO the nun
Der Of burned souls that already inhablt mo-
distressing place"
al Zakum, the tree by the bottomless pit, whit
supplies ine1haustible fuel for burning the co
demned