The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-10-25

Our most received us III INC court NarG,
which was crowded with people, and we
seated ourselves in large ornamental al
cove, fitted with divans and carpets,
which forms a drawing room in tile Da-
mascus houses. in which fresh air and
shade are delightfully."- combinnd. The
dinner was served omewhat in the Euro
peau fashion, for we sat at table, and
had knives and forks. After vermiceli
soup, came chopped mutton and aspara-
gus, fried lambs tongues, various sorts Of
vegetables, among others small potato,
with a mealv taste, resembling cheslnuls,
while roasted turkey brought up the rear.
BY way Of compliment to the Franks pre-
sent, (the English and French consulS and
mysef,) champagne and uin dc grace
made their appearance; but, among the
natives, | perceived very rapid disap'
pearancG Of green brandy, and of the red
wine of the country, swee,ened with SUI
gar. They had learned the Italian word
eUiUd, and toast followed toast, euira BE-
ing substituted for our ship, hip, hurra -
The natives were getting rather uproar-
ious, when an adjournment to the princi-
pal apartment took place. In the centre
of ibis room we found a stand, with hya.
cinlhs and roses, as well as choDe,U' for
incense. The ladies of the family who
did not appear at dinner now entered
chlbouques, narghies, and coffee were
presented to the guests, and little
aIoes placed on the kindIed charcoal of the
pipes rendered the Timbac more fragrant.
The MINISTRIES were then introduced
three old women from Bagdad. who look
ed as haggard and unearlhly rs the witch
es of Macbeth. Cushions were laid be-
fore the eldest, on which were placed lit
tie kettle drums; lhe two others sported
tambourines. These hays were dressed
in blach, and an artificial eyebrow of Kohl
which waved across their loreheads, made
them look more dismal than otherwise.
When we had sufficiently contemplated
the ugliness Of these vampires, which was
intended - prepare Ms for what followed,
just as the European opera manager turns
off the gas in front before he introduces
us to the PcIis, who delight in Bengal
lights and Vanxhalian ranbows, in came
flanum Tamrusugi, prina donna and pre-
miere danSeuse, all heirs and graces.
Her age might be five and twenty her
dress of fine yellow stuff, embroidered in
black, fitted close to her body her trou-
sers were of scarle, silk, and she was
rouged and kohied The cashmere shawl
which surrounded her waist, or, rather,
her launches, was first laid fat, and then
pinned round, so as TO give the body and
shoulders full play in dancing; her head
spark|ed with diamonds, which, at a rough
gness, could not be worth less than cou-
pie Of thousand pounds. The exhibition
commenced with some unooulh songs,
chorussed by the old women,-The Ila-
mum sung entirely through her nose, and
put her stretched hand to her cheek in or
der to make the sound louder. The din
of tamhourines, kettle drums, and the sni.
yelling songslress had nearly given ne a
headache, when our pri,na donna chang
ed her role, and started into the middle Of
the room to dance.-l.arge steel rings on
her fingers supplied the place of castanets
and, after half Il dozen Of those capers and
gestures which in the east pass for dane
ing, she regained her seat, on which the
old RaulalliS recommended ihpir mise
At about midnight we retired TO supper,
which was composed entirely of oriental
confectionery soup Of orange flower
water. in which parings of cocoa lloated.
tarls. jelIies, with milk, rice, almonds, &c.
The sons of our host waited table along
with the servants, and pipes and coffee,
at two O'CLOCK in the morning, closed the
en,eriainment.--1he Modern Syrions.