The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-03-18


IF the great in this country, are not comm c
ID to the first and upper floors, but form '
separate and complete house, distinct frora q
hat of the men. Having passed spacious ,
nall paved with marble, we were met at the {
door of the first apartment by the elder &
daughter Of Habeeb E(endee, who gave me 4
the usual Eastern salutatlon, touching her s
lips ard forehead with her right hand, and
then insisted Oh removing my riding dress
herself although surrounded by slaves. THIS
was mark OF extraordinary condescension.
In the houses of the middle classes, the ladies
generally honor their visitors by disroblrg
them Of their riding-dress; but in the high
hareems this Office is generally performed
by slaves, and only by a member Of the
family when guest is especially distln-
guished.
In visiting those who are considered the
noble OF the land, ! resume. under my East
ern riding costume, my English dress; thls
avoiding the necessity Of subjecting myself
to any humiliation. In the Turkish in
door costume-the manner Of my salutation
must have been more Submissive than
should have liked; while. as an Englishwo-
man, am entertained by the most distn-
guished, not only as an equal, but generally
as superior.
At home, and when visiting ladies Of the
middle class, | wear the Turkish dress,
which is delightfully."- comfortable, being ad-
mirably adapted to the climate of this coun-
try. have never gone out bat in the East
ern ridingdress.
When the lady, have mentioned, had re-
moved my surtout apparel, slave in attend
ance received it in an exquisite pink
kerchief of cashmere, richly embroidered
with gold. The kerchiels Of this kind in
the hareems of the wealthy are generally
very elegant, but that was the most perfect
specimen have seen of correct and taste
ful embroidery. The rding-dress was i'm
Immediately taken into another. room, accord
ing to usual custom, which is observed for
the purpose Of creating a short delay, Civ
ing an opportunity to offer some additional
refreshment when the guest has proposed to
take her leave. My new acquaintance
then conducted me TO the divan, and placed
me next TO the seat Of honor, which was re-
served for her mother, the first cousin Of the
late Sultan .Mahmoud, who soon entered
the room, and gave HE cordial welcome,
assigning TO me the most distinguished seat
on her right hand, the same 10 which her
, daughter had conducted me, while the grand
! mother of Abbas Pasha sat on her left.
She was soon followed by her second
daughter who greeted me with much polite
ness, and in very elegant manner assured
me that | was welcome. She was more
richly attred than her sister; therefore will
describe to you her dress.
She wore on her head dark handker
; chief twisted round a tarboosh, with a very
splendid spiig of diamonds attached TO the
night side, and extending partly over heI
forehead. The sprig was composed Of very
large bnlliants, disposed in the form o.
three lutes, in the centre, from each o.
c which branch extended, forming an ova
! shape, at least five inches in length. Hgt
on the left side Of her head she wore a kno
or slide of diamonds, through which wa:
> drawn a bunch Of ringlets, which, from
their position, appeared to be artificial; hel
tsrbooSh had the usual blue silk tassel, bu
this was divided and hanging on either side
| Fer long vest and trousers were Of a darn
5 Powered India fabric; she wore round hel
waist a large and rich cashmere shawl; ant
her neck was decorated with many string,
of very large pearls, confined at interval,
!, by gold beads. She was in one respec
strangely dishgured; her eyebrows bens
painted with kohl, and united by the black
pigment in a very broad and most unbecom
ing manner. Many women Of all classe.
: here assume this disguise; some apply the
kohl to the eyebrows as well rs to the eyes
with great delcacy; but the lady in qUes
ton had her eyebrows 80 remarkable tina
her other features were deprived Of their nat
, ural expression and effect.
A number of white slaves formed larg,
= semi-circle before us, and received from 9th
, ers, who waited in the ante-chamber, silve
> trays containing glass dishes Of sweetmeats
There were three spoons in each dish, anC
. two pieces Of sweeuneats in each spoon
} These were Immediately succeeded by cot
+ fee, which was also brought on silver trays
the small china cups being, as usual, in
stands, shaped like egg cups; but these were
. not, as in ordinary houses, simply of silver
flagree, or plain, but decorated with da
+ monds. They were certainly ele amt, bu
/, more costly than beautiful. The coffee i,
J never handed on the tray, but gracefully
,, presented by the attendant, holding the lit
, tie stand between the thumb and finger o.
, the right hand. After these refreshments q
short time elapsed, when two slaves brought
in sherbet on silver waters, in exceedingly
elegant cutglass cups, with saucen and Gov
ers. Each tray was covered with round
pink richly embroidered cover, which the
slave removed as she approached us. To
receive our cups, Of the contents Of which
. according to custom, we drank about two
thirds, another slave approached, with q
large white embroidered kerchief, ostensiby
for the purpose of wiping the mouth; but
any lady would be thought quite a novice
who did more than touch it with her lips
The perfect good humor and cheerful
ness which pervaded this family circle i.
well worthy Of remark, and much engaged
my thoughts during the morning of my visit
All that observed of the manners of the
Eastern women, at Habeeb Efendee's and
elsewhere, leads ME to consider the perfect
contrast which the customs of Eastern life
present TO the whole construction Of Euro
, pean society. IL you have read Mr.. Urqu
| 4 al. 4 L..