Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-05-08
THE HAREn1 OPENED.

given way. 1t occurred in Dimascus
Some of the higher uminat showed secre
pleasure in cvncing their emancipation from the pre-
udces of their foreiahers Ofhls class prlnclpaiiy
were the vsiters to the corsul's house was Oh
one occasion engaged in drawing the costume OF
native female servant, when man of some dlslihc-
ton entered, Mollah Of high descent claiming as
his ancestors no less parsonage than the ia'he[ o
Aoesha, the favorite wife Of the Prophe! hlmsell.-
His demeanor was accordingly grave and dgnIhea )
and as afterwards remarked he was saluled III 'he
streets with singular respect. His amusement was
extremely great ns he the girl's figures rapidly
transferred to paper he smiled, from Time 10 tne,
as if occuped with some pleasant idea, OF which al
| length he delivered himself expressing his Wish, 10
orr infinite surprise, that should come to his house
in company with the consul, and take drawing ol
his favorile wife. 1t may be supposed that so SIN
gular inviation one so opposed TO every Mussuimah
prejudice and even established custom, much amaz-
ed and excited us.
At the appointed hour we repaired 10 the old Mol
lah's abode Externally, unlike the houses IN Cairo,
it presented nothing but long dark wall upon the
side of narrow dirty lane within, however, every
thing bore testimony TO the Wealth and luxury OF
lis owner. The saloon into which we were usher
ed was spacious and splendid marble-paved, win
bubling fountain in the midst, and roof supported
on wooden beams highly enriched ard gilt IN The a.
rabesoue fashion. A large door, across when was
slung heavy eathern curtain, which could be uh-
closed and shut at pleasure, similar TO that adopted
in Catholic churches in Italy, opened on the COURT
from which another communication win me inysle-
rious apartments Of the harem. We seated ourselves
on the divan. Our host shortly entered, smiling at
his own thoughts, as before. lie dofleu MS 'uroa"
and pesse. retaining only his red cap and silk jack
lwinkled and he seemed to have abandoned himself
entirely TO the merry humor of the moment.
A few words had hardly passed before the curtain
was gently pushed aside. The lady, like tImld
fawn peeped in then, closing the curtain, advanced
few s,eps into the room, watching the eye OF her
husband. who without rising, half laughing, yet hall
commanding beckoned her 20 seat on the diVan,
while we-our hands on our bosoms in the oriental
fashon-bent respectfully as she came forward and
nlaced herself between the old Moah and Mr. ar
rem. Speaking Arabic well, the latter was enabled to
commence conversations in which, after some slight
hesitation at this first introduction to mixed society,"
the adv appeared to bear her part with much ease
and vvacity This delighted her husband, who
could hardly help expressing his satlaclon oy laugn
inc outright, so proud was he OF the talent ol MS
wife. and 50 tickled with the novelty oil the whole
affair.
While this was going forward, observed that the
curtain of the door drawn aside by white lianu
bu so gently as not 10 attract the attention OF tlhe
Mollah. and very lovely face, with all the excite
ments of trembling curiosity IN It's laughing oiack
ewes peered into the apartment; then another, ana
ono,her fill some haf-dozen were looking over one
anothers shoulders, furtively gancng at the Glaour
in the most earnest silence, and peeping edgeway al
the old fellow to see if they were noticed. Embod-
ened BY this impunty, and provoked by the ludl-
crous seriousness of our vlsages, they began 10 cr
icse the Giaour freely tittering, whispering, and
comparing notes so loudly, that the noise attracted
the attention of the old man, who turned round MS
head, when the curtain Instantly popped 10, and all
again was SILENT
But ere long these lively children of larger
growth impeled by irresistible curiosity, returned a
Gain 10 their stations Their remarks were now hard
" restained within whisper, and they chaed ana
laughed with total defiance Of decorum, The la
vorite bit her lips, and looked every inch Sultana al
this intoerable interruption; whereupon the old man
oravelv arose and drove them back into the harem
as some old psdagogue would bevy OF noisy
romps.
Delivered from this interruption, the lady, at sign
| from her lege lord proceeded to assume the pose
required for the drawing. She assumed for the oc-
casion one of her richest adornment her oval head
| dress was Ol InllISleu uOWclo ICdilS3 hSi
closeftting robe openedat the sleeves, and half way
down the figure of striped silk; splendid shaw
was wreahed gracefully around the ons, and rich
sort of jacket thrown over the rest of her attire
Her feet were thurst into embroidered slippers, bu
the elegance of her gait was impaired by her walking
on sort Of large ornamenteG petens some lnche;
from the ground 1t may be supposed that did no
keep :he lady standing longer than was necessary.
When | had finished, our host, with smile o.! Pc
culiar significance, directed her attention TO small
carved cupboard, ,ornamened with pearls, from which
she proceeded to draw forh-mirabile dictw "a glass
vessel containing that particular lqour forbidden tt
the faithful, and pouring it out in glasses, handed
to us ALL then at her husbands suggestion, helped
herself and, as we pledged each other, the exhilara
ton of our pious Mussulman entertainer seemed t'
know no bounds.
THE True MAN-Honor, to a merchant, is wha
valor is to soldier charity TO christian. Compar
with the merchant who effects insurance upon prop
l. I.1o.