The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-10
visit or a Yankee "a Turkey.


two to one against the payment of the bonds
SYNGRAPH.
Visit or Yankee 20 Turkey.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF THE sULTAN-vIsIT TO
THE PALACE, AND HAREM OF FUAD EFFENDI, THE
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ETC
Correspondence Of the Baltimore Sun
We were conducted through two successive halls
OF the palace both furnished in the most regal and
Eastern style, in the first Of which, drawn up in
double column, were the pages of the Sultan, who,
grand and picturesque. Entering into the third
chamber our eyes fell upon his Majesty the Sui
tan, who was standing, with no one near him save
the Minister Of Foreign Affairs, in the remotest
part Of it, awaiting our approach.
We advanced to within three yards of him and
then M de the usual Turkish saut atioR which (the
hand being first carried very low, and then brought
near the lip) is in rude imitation Of kissing the
ing these salaams, his Imperial Majesty gracously
condescended to bestow look, calm and apparently
Indifferent as it was, upon
Various addresses were then delivered, to which
the Sultan replied by bow.
During the intervals which occurred in the speech
es, he cast occasional languid look upon first
and then another of US, which gave us ne oppor-
tunity of scanning his features He is rather low
in stature; has dark, melancholy eyes, which
hibit an almost total lack of energy; but which
have, at the same time an smiabe and benevolent
expression The tout ensemble of his face is good,
but on looking at it closely discovered that i was
be wears full beard He had black cloth cloak
thrown over him, which was fastened in front with
rich jewcled clasp His coat was 80 richly en-
broidered, braided and studded with diamonds, &c
that to attempt a description of it would be vain
and superfuOus. The collar and cuffs were COM
pletely encased in diamonds He wore sword,
which reposed in one Of the most elegantly chased
and swelled scabbards that the most exalted fancy
could conceive Of On his head was the red tes,
which is universally worn by high and low through
out the empire. To our wonder he remained stand
ing all the time IN his royal presence, the
unusual exertion attendant upon which must have
been quite fatiguing to his Hghness His fee. are
very much inverted, but such is the with those
of most of the Turks, owing to the position in
which they sit, and their being constantly in the
saddle.
A few days ago We visited the house of Fuad
Efendi, the Minister Of Foreign Affairs, and having
inspected the grounds and enjoyed coffee and pipes,
an euruch, black as moonless midnight, clad in q
scarlet robe lined with fur. suddenly made his ap-
peaiapce, like the genii Of old, and announced
that he was ready TO conduct our female friends
within the sacred precincts of the harem. He led
comparatively small Here they were received by
two Turkish women rather advanced in life, who
were surrounded by about dozen Circassian slaves
By wave of the hands, they were requested to be
seated and were informed that, on account of her
ladyshp being indisposed, she would be happy see
her friends in her own chamber. In short time the
little daughter OF madam entered the room, and said
that her ma was ready to receive them With some
assembled wide crcuitous and splendid stairway and
were ustered into an apartment where, q couch
formed Of green and yellow satin cushions, with
splenddly embroidered cloth, of the richest hues
and material, thrown over her, surrounded by .
host Of fair Cmcassians, one of whom was gently
flaming her, gracefully reclined her ladyship She
partially rose upon their entrance, and sauted
them with a turkish salaam, which is made by car
ryiBg the right hand to the chin and then quickly
to the forehead Almost simultaneously with this
sautaion the slaves placed chairs in front Of her,
upon which our friends seated themselves; during
this time the rest Of the slaves remained standing
about in different parts of the ROOM ready to obey
any summons of their mistress She expressed her
regret at being unwel, and consequently unable to
receive her visitors below but the Eastern picture
that she presented, thus reclining and thus sur
rounded was far interesting than it could other
wise possibly have been She appeared to be pleased
with visit from persons OF the far of land Of the
new world, and asked almost as many questions
concerning America as they did Of her country.
easy and lady like Women Of the Turkish harems
generally spend their time in luxurious Incidence,
but sbe showed great fondness fer embroiiering
or engaging her mind and attention in something
useful She manifested great deal of interest in
her slaves and teaches them the art of embroidery
&c Many Of them are skilled in music and one Of
them during the visit played several Italian and
Turkish airs on the piano.
For the qualification of our friends several of the
most elegant dresses Of her ladyship's wardrobe
exhibited, all Of which we're, of course, made
in the loose and flowing style Of the East The
dress worn by Turkish females Of the present day
cannot be called graceful; it may be made beautiful
by rich working and material, but the cut of 1t is
awkward IL is very loose ard 80 long that il trails
a foot or two on the floor; it is brought together
Just above the waist by sash. When they walk
cut, the skirts festooned up at the sides. The
Boomer, or some consider it, the Turkish drees,
worn by few bold ladies in America, has no pos
sible resemblance TO the real article.
The slaves all appeared to be very happy, and
more like daughters of their mistress than as her
property. In fact, slavery in Turkey is a mere
nominal thing; the boDdsmaid is taught every ac
complement and frequently thereby marries the
highest officer in the realm. At first We would be
inclined to pity the poor girl, fancyipg her forcby
torn from her distressed parents and sold into
degrading servitude; but when we reflect she her
self, while still young among her own kindred and
her own mountain wilds, eagerly longs for the day
that will bring her TO this great Eastern capital to
be sold into such luxurious captivity, where she is
cbeered by the bright beacon Of hope, we cease to
commserate.
Madame Fuad was very DESTROYS to know our
practices concerning matrimony; whether 1t was
customary TO make the bride handsome presents,
and whether marriage is negotiated by others
than the parties Immediately interested, as Is the
custom here.
Our friends noticed the latticed windows whi,h
screen the inmates Of the harem from the obser-
walton Of outside barbarians person can, from
the interior, observe every thing gong on without;
and, as an opera glass lay on the latin couch, we
can well imagine how the fair occupants Of. those
bare rs which overhang the Bosphorus amuse them
selves watching the endless and ever varying objects
UPON its surface
After many social interchanges, her ladyship
being pressing 10 her invitation to them TO repea.
their visit, our friends descended into q magaf.
Gently furnished apartment, where they were re-
ssled With sberbet, brought to the door by the
sfortmeriioned black eunuch, and from therce by
Crcztssn saves, TO the guests, each slave bearing
q white gold embroidered ns pkin When any re.
frtst msnt 70 feryed, the slave places her hand
the lower part of the bress and retreats backward
for few tsoss, With The face tow Yards the guest
At lebgss sksy made their way towards the
sa'smnc ~ nais rvss91 u the house. followed by
several 81 the 10 whom tho eunuch had to re.
sireit r., q pgtf4T2 f9r~srd This % X p,asI of
80 -. II :. 4 8 Gotltiil sxi-', - 80