The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-11-14
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THE OSMANTI, OR TURKS.

| VIZ No"iiSA auo iIiilulFSf WIltcS Oh tnC
race now dominant in the moro ancient
seats Of civilization as follows:
We naturally regard the Turks as O
species of outside barbarians, and it is
a little difficult to survey thcm with a
perfectly unprecedented eye; yet an hon.
est view affords much that can be con.
tcmplatcd with satisfaction. Their
gravity of mien, sobcrness of gait, and
rich flowing robes give them an air Of
gcntemanly dignity, in pleasing con,
trast with the hurried expression, the
lmpertnent carriage, and the stiff an.
gular garments of Franks; and there is
q natural ease and dei,cacy in their So
clal forms and etiquette, that is far SUI
pcrlor to anything ordinarily observed
at home. Personal cleanliness is not
among them as among us a half neglect
cd 'scmivirtue,' but scrupulously full
filled religious obligation. Propricty
and courtesy distinguish their mutual
intercourse. and hospitality rendered 70
all without distinction of country or
condition is al invioable duty. Quar-.
rchns is extremely rare among them.
and their treatment Of the brute crca-
is far kinder than ours.
The Koran prescribes the giving of
onc-tenth Of their income to charitable
purposes, and bcnevolcncc with them
is no transient impulse, but an abiding
sacred principle. [ look here in vain
for the s4uahdity and bcggary that u.s.
Cd to meet my eyes everywhere in la
6cllc france and 'Meric England.'
lntcmpcrancc, the curse of so many
Christian lands, is driven away from the
followers Of the Prophet by tho divine
law which forbids the use of wine. The
fatalsm, for which the Turks arc re-
preached, is not the stupid folly it is
represented. They arc as earnest in
avcrtlng calamity as other mon, but
whom calamity comes, with sublime re-
slgnatlon they arc ready to cxclaim.
God hath willcd it, II. truth and
honesty they are inferior to few other
people, and arc certainly far superior
to the Jews and Christians that dwell
among them. Polygamy is tolerated
by the law, but public opinion decided.
ly condemns it.
1t Is the magnatcs Of the land only
who have plurality Of wives; even they
seldom have more than two or three,
and the Sultan himself never more than
seven. The Koran permits husbands
to chastisc and divorce their wives st
pleasure; but these privileges arc not
often abused. Children are trained to
honor and submit to their parents, and
great affection and kindness usually
pervadc their family relations. The
women, instead Of being kept in thai
street restraint SO generally imagined,
arc IN reality more free than in any
continental country Of Western Europe.
They repair to the mosques, range the
bazaars, and ride into the country on
pleasure parties in perfect liberty.
Multtudcs Of them of all classes 20
every Friday unattended to the VALLEY
OF the Sweet waters, five miles up the
Golden Horn. | have been among
them there. and have seldom hnhn,1
more unrcstraincd and vet innocent inn
ioymcnts. It is true that lioLomcIan
females arc not allowed to onnnor in
public unveiled; but this is no great
hardship, sircc the gasAmec. wljeL is
Of white muslin. is usually. csncc;,iIv r
the face is pretty, SO thin and nansior.
ent that the features arc casily discern.
ible. The Sultana frequently Issues
cdicts, prescribing the thickness OF the
wells and thc mode or y.o,r;,-o la.
butwoman's Willis tlc same cvcrvwIrrn
and the compliance is bat tcmpna,v
e :