The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-10-30
Prom wayfsrine Sketches among Greeks and Turks
Visit 60 N Turkish Harem.

We shall close our extracts with one OF
the best descriptions of harem that We
have had from a modern traveller. Ii is
the harem of the Pacha Of Widdin, one OF
the most populous towns OF Bulgaria.
That grave and important parsonage had
been so much struck with the solemnity and
politeneSs OF the European lady traveller as
70 order her ad.niuance 10 even the sultana' s
apartments, and she was conducted by a
duenna to her highness chamber
s'We were interrupted by the arrival OF
some fifteen or sixteen young slaves, who
came running into the room, laughing and
talking like a party of school girls, each
one psusins at the door to make me the
usual sslutation, and then clustering togeth-
er in groups to gaze at me with the most
eager interest They all wore the same
dress, and certainly it looked on them most
singularly graceful, as they stood in a sort
OF languishing, indolent attitude, with their
arms folded, and their long almond-shsped
eyes, half closed. Ii consisted Of loose
silk Jacket, reaching to the waist, another
underneath, OF different color, falling be-
low the knee, and finally a pair of enor-
mously wide trousers, either wholly red or
mixture OF gay colors, which almost covered
their little yellow slippers. A silk hand
kerchief and various other ornaments were
twisted in their hair with quite as much gen
uine coquetry as is 10 be found in more
civilized countries. OF all the number,
only three struck me as having any great
claim 10 beauty; but certainly creatures
moro lovely than they were could nowhere
have been seen. Two Of them were Cir
cassians, with long fair hair and soft brown
eyes; the other was, | think, Georgian
very dark, with beautiful features, and the
most naughty expression OF countenance.
Ii was evident that she was held in great
respect as the mother Of fine little boy,
whom she had in her arms. All Of them
had their nails dyed with that odious henna,
with which they disfgure their hands and
feet.
Presently there was a strange shutting
noise heard without, prodigious rustling Of
silk and satin, and the interpreter, hurrying
in, announced the sultana. The slaves
fell back, and arranged themselves in order
rose up, and her highness entered, proceed
ed by two negro boys, and followed by hal
dozen women. She was tall, dignifet
looking person, OF some five and thirty, sne
far from handsome. Nothing could be NOR,
splendid than her dress, or more perfectly
ngraceful. She wore pair Of light blu
silk trousers, 20 excessively large and wide
that it was with the greatest difficulty SIN
could walk over these, a narrow robe, o
red cashmere, covered with gold embroidery
with border of flowers, also worked il
gold, at least SIX inches WIDE This gar
msnt was about five yards long, and opel
at the two sides as far as the knee, so tina
it swept on the ground in all directions
Her waist was bound b, a cashmere scar
Of great value; and from her shoulder
hung an ample pelisse, of brown satin, line
with the most beautiful zibeline fur. He
head-dress was q silk handkerchief, en-
broidered with gold; and to complete he
costume, she was literally covered with dis
monds.
She received me in the most amiabl
manner, though with great ststeliness an
dignity; and when begged the interprete
TO tell her highness how greatly felt tn
honor she had done me, in inviting me q
visit her, her features relaxed into smile
and dragging herself and her load OF finer
to the dvan, she placed herself upon it, an
desired me TO sit beside her. obeyed, an
bad then to re-commencc all the compl
ments and salutations had gone throug
at the pasha's, with still greater energy fo
l could see plainly that both herself and he
slaves, who stood in semi-circle round u,
were very tenacious Of her dignity, and ths
thsy watched very critically every movement
! made.
| wss determined, therefore, to omit nc
shng DIT should give them high idea Q
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