Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-05-08

that these of the innocent and luxurious secu
sion in which they spend their lives in the main It's
of absurdes gotten up by enthusiastic authors fol
the purpose Of making readable books that such books
sought with avidy where the plain truth would make
no impression People are determined to feed the imag
nation upon something, and those who furnish them witt
the material naturally disposed to make it palata
BILE possible. The fact is life in the Harem is Of
absolute servtude and disgusting sensuality Few,
in the highest ranks understand how read and write
and their conversation is only trifng nanity. They
purchased slaves treated slaves and valued accord
ing their capacity reach the approved standard
of degradation. Encouraged in all that is revolving tc
the better feeling Of mans nature is it be wonder
ed at they do not occupy the position of companions
1t may be set down as axiom, demonstrated by all
past experience, that in country where the position
of woman is utterly degraded people at
tain to more exalted rank than that of slavish
and semi-barbarous nation. Abdul Meschidmay build
gates encourage steam navigation and cotton factories
patronze model farms surround his court with all the
enghtening influences Of foreign diplomacy listen to
dsnteresed plans for increasing the power and prosper
y Of the Turkish people, but until he learns the great
secret that women must be companions and not mere
toys his efforts, the efforts Of others, viii be in vain
and the of the Turks will remain they have
been, an ignorant and slavish people
and to mnge with many strange people spectator of
passing events and now after years Of wandering in al
most every cline, turn from the sad contemplation of
their social condition with grateful heart to
free and happy country; where, amid all the turmos Of
political strife, all the aspertes Of opinion upon matters
Of local import all the differences of position that arise
from the natural differences of organization, there
is purity of sentiment in social life that has
obtained in any country in this eastern world 1t is
freshing after nhalng the polluted atmosphere of the
principal cities Of Europe, to look back upon own
happy homes and fresides, and draw health and vgor
and inspiration from contemplation Of the exalted
condition of in America-subect to no re-
srans but the dictates of virtue free in the exercise of
all the rights that claimed by the best and purest of
the sex respected because they command respect; be-
loved because they womanly admired because they
are too modest to demand admiration is the giddy
and the thoughtless, who parade their eweed charms
in the Of fashion, not of the brawers in public
who seek to overurn the whole fabric of society; not of
them thatare given unseemy display either thought
person, that would speak but of the chaste keep
ers of home of the gentle and the sympathzing who
rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them
that weep" these the women of America who un-
known fame, esteemed the highest who unadorn
ed, are adorned the most.
During my ramblings about Constantinope and the
burb my attention has been frequently attracted by the
strange and dapdated appearance Of the Mahometan bu
Much the beautiful effect of the view from
the Bophorus arises from the groves of tall cypress
that minge their foliage with the mosques and minarets
and stand out in bold relief every hillside Wherever
they any considerable extent Of ground it is to
afford shade and protection to public cemetery. The
largest perhaps Of all the Mahometan is
that Scuar the Asiatc sde which extends over
distance of three miles along the road 1t is beautifully
shaded by thick forest of cypress and FORMS in the
time favorte retreat for the idle and gospng
who 60 in great numbers from the city every after
Here may be seen, in fine weather, groups of
Of various castles sitting the graves smoking their
chibouks and slipping their coffee others, haf-naked
chatterng and lively, endeavoring to kill time oil
tended except by female servants for it is beneath the
dignity of the male population associate in public
with women. 1t is curious picture of gay, futtering
le mingled with the Wondering tombs of the silent and
CHASTITY dead Often, when disposed ndulge in refec
ton, come here to read the history of Times dor
ings past present and to come Tine who has brought
lew alike the great and the e the grand Pasha and the
meanest ssve who makes republics beneath the ground
that factions cannot Destroy Time who opens the mys
tees Of the future and feeds oblivion with decay Of
things"
TIE Mahometan tombstones distinguished, for the
most part, by head representation Of the turban
carved in Many Of these have been broken off
greatly defaced during the which have ragged from
time to time between the tribes Of the East The nscrip
tons in the Arabic Turkish characters and in the
more modern tombs are often covered with gliding OF
course could read Of these histories Of human vr
and human SORROWS but is not likely that lost
great deal Of reliable information The whole aspect Of
these cemeteries is desolae and runous in the extreme
There is order arrangement except in the direction
Of the heads which are al towards Mecca the head
stones be scattered the ground at random,
pointed up in all directions, lying PROSTATE in confu-
sion The earth is perfectly barren, and abounds in all
sorts Of denominations disgusting even for the
Of vOracous dogs that prowl among the abodes of the
dead 1t strange place. in every respect to choose
fashionable resort for pleasure and gossip but
the Turks say in the Of the Prophet may they enjoy
1 themselves.
There other places Of amusement chiefly resorted
10 in the by the weather. classes Among these
the Sweet Waters Of Europe and the Sweet Water.
ASIA the villages of the Bosphorus, the Isles Of the
Princes and various places in the country, within few
miles of the city Steamers ply all along the shores
Of the Bosphorus to the Princes Isles the seaport
town nearest to Brusa and other ports along the sea Of
Marmora There also for the poorer classes large
omnibus caques in which for few PGras they can be
landed at any village on the Dosphorus from the Golden
| Horn to Bayukdere.
1t my intention to give you in this letter,
count Of my visit to Santa Sepha and the Serago alst
to the principal mosques and public institutions Of Siam
boul; but find It win require more time than have q