The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-06-01
THE POPULATION OF SMYRNA.


For variety Of costume, and diversity of
the people of different nations, Smyrna
beats every thing l had ever beheld. l
had previously looked on Gibraltar as the
Babel Of many languages; next, in this
opinion Constantinope usurped its place;
but they were both thrown far into the
shade ty:the varied assemblagc witness
ed here, in mornings stroll through the
market places and bazaars. Your way in
the narrow lhoroughfares is often cum
ple'ely stopped by long strings of camels,
groaning under immense loads of figs, and
preceded by their uncouth and Tarlar-like
looking divers. generally mounted on a
small ass These wild looking and bronz-
ed figures from The interior generally re-
joice in enormous turbans and huge jack,
or rather fsherman's boots, which must
add greatly to the already over weighed
little animals which they bpstride. You
are jnslIcd by busy and noisy Greeks. ever
in motion, and rcspIcndent in all the 81 To-
ries Of the magnificent "Palicara costume,
offering by their noisy vociteralions and
vehement gestures, marked contrast to
the Turk or stately Persian merchant, who,
with his amber moulhed chibouk in hand,
is patiently awaiting the arrival Of a Gus
TONER for some of his rich silks or hand
some carpets, which are displayed before
him in the greatest profusion. The next
stall is, may be, occupied by some cunning
Israelitc, or plodding son of Armenia,
who with pen in hand, and an enormous
tea kettle oc calync stuck Of his shaven
crown, is:carefulIy noting down in cramp-
ed and mystical characters, the gains of
the day, and scarcely raises lis eve as he
casts glance of surprise at the rolling
and careless gait of some of our jolly tars,
who, with "Dido" written on their g lazed
titles are now having a spree on shore
Unless to this list be added Frenchmen
and Austrians, liars and Catholic priests,
wandering Turcomans, and begging der
wishes, Syrian Jews and Maltese sailors,
the picture would be incomplete, as far as
regards the rougher sex. And now we
take peep at the ladies.
: Remoter from its focus, innovation has,
at Smyrna, made less rapid progress than
in the capitol; and, as the insignia of the
faith, the "turban," is here much more
t prevalent than the fez," SO, in the genllel
sex, a greater adhesion to Oriental customs
1 and costume is observed in the closer folds
I Of the ferdigree, and more careful adjust
. menl of the yashmac. Their charms are
i; further protected from any obrusive
s. glance by the addition of piece of black
2 Grape, which completely shrouds the coun
x tenance, and leaves nothing for the mos
c lively Imagination to seize on. Towards
y evening, the porlly beauties of Armenia
e may be seen at the windows, and are ca
!, silly liscernible by their "Dudu" forms
d Sleepy dark eyes, and fine compilations
i the voluptuous languor of their genera
e appearance offering marked contrast tt
n the lively & lances and sparkling charms
amidst the gaudy and often ill-assorted col
IF lection Of brilliant colors, of which thei
o. dress is always composed, and which give
10 them much less modest appearance thai
&c their yelled and nunlike Osmanli sisters
e-l The hair, increased by the addition q