Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-09-20
The Interior of a Harem,

Here is an account Of an English litera-
ry lady's visit to the harem of the Sultan.
1t is still more interesting than Miss Par
does: The Turkish women then made me
sit down; and when placed myself in the
usual European manner, they begged me
IN deprecatng tone not to remain in that
constrained position, but to put myself quite
at my ease, as if were in my own house.
How far l was at my ease, installed la
Iurque, on an immense pile of cushions, |
leave to be imagined by any one who ever
tried to remain five minutes in that posture.
| was determined to omit nothing that
should give them high idea Of my SAVIOR
vivre' according to their own notions, and
began by once more gravely accepting a
pipe, At the pacha's had managed mere
~ to hold 1t in my hand, occasionally touch
ing 1t with my lips, without really using it !;
but soon saw that, with some twenty pairs
OF eyes fixed jealousy upon me, | must
smoke here-postively and actually smoke
OR be considered violator of the laws
of good breeding. The tobacco was so
mild and fragrant that the penance was not
SO great as might have been expected; but
| could scarcely help laughing at the ludi-
crous position | was placed in, seated in
state on large square cushion, smoking a
long pipe, the other end of which was sup
ported by kneeling slave, and bowling SOL
EMMY to the sultana between almost every
Whit Coffee, with sweetmeats, and sher-
bet, (the most delightful of all pleasant
draughts, were brought me in constant sue
cession by two little negroes and pretty
young girl, whose duty it was to present me
the richly embroidered napkin, the corner
of which l was expected to make use of as
it lay on her shoulder, as she knelt before
me. These refreshments were offered to
me in beautiful crystal vases, little gold
cups, and silver trays, of which, for my
misfortune, they seem to possess large
supply, as was obliged to 60 through a
never-ending course of dainties, in order
that they might have an opportunity of dis
playing them all. My bonnet sadly puzzled
them; and when, to please them, | took it
of, they were most dreadfuly scandalized,
to see me with my hair uncovered, and
could scarcely believe that was not asha-
med to sit all day without veil or hand
kerchicf: they could not conceive, either,
why | should wear gloves unless it was from
the want of henna, with which they offered
to supply me. They then proceeded to ask
me the most extraordinary questions, many
of which | really found it hard to answer.
My whole existence was as incomprehensi-
bic to this poor princess, vegetating from
day to day within her four walls, as that of
bird in the air must be to mole burrow-
ing in the earth. Her life consisted as she
told me, of sleeping, eating, dressing, and
bathing. She never walked farther than
from one room to another; and can an
swer for her not having an idea beyond the
narrow limits of her prison. 1t is strange
and most unnatural state to which these
poor women are brought; nor do l wonder
that the Turks, whose own detestable ego
tsm alone causes it, should declare that they
have no souls. Wayfaring Sketches a.
mong the Greeks and Turks, by seven
years Resident in Greece.