The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-02-24
Trading i'm Ladies'.

MANY rich Turkish ladies carry on trade, for
which we have name. They keep what may
be called Nurseries Of Wives and Mothers; and
find both pleasure and profit in training their
young proteges to the duties OF married lIle.-
Their agents 90 about collecting the raw material
OF their manufacture, picking up orphans, found
lings or the children OF poor parents; for in the
East there is no prejudice Of birth, and the lady
is distinguished from her servant only by educa-
ton or wealth. The task Of training is not diff
cult. Not much knowledge is expected from an
oriental matron and in this case, at least, neither
the idea of virtue nor contenlment is inculcatcd.
We have already limited IN what way the flock of
young maidens is made TO contribute to the devel-
oPment of the young masters of the house. The
rest of their instruction is simple enough. They
are earl y ready 10 be sold wives or mistresses.
Beautiful girls often bought by these pro-
!essronal farmers in high life for eight or ten
pounds, and afterwards sold for four or five hun
dred. The profit constitutes the PnmOney Of the
harem. number of old women--bride brokers
Garry OH the trade, TO which not the slightest
idea Of shame is attached. They discuss the
price OF their merchandise as openly if they
we're selling pair of slippers parcel of per-
fume Sometimes they act agents for some
old gentleman, who finds his house lonely and
his purse sufficiently full 10 enable him TO indulge
tn the luxury of companion; and sometimes
they undertake the still more cquvocal task of
going about warming the imaginations of the
caged beauties. They generally take money on
either hand, and it must be admitted that many
good matches are struck by their care.
There is no prejudice against partners obtained
by these means. On the contrary, many Turks
prefer damSels brought up in this way perhaps
because they without the cumbrance of rela-
tons-csPecially when they come from the harem
Of minister or other great funcuonary' The
wife of Reschid Pasha, who by the way, is no
polygamis, has generally some forty young crea
lures 10 dispose of and finds difficulty in get
ting rid of them. The demand is always equal
10 the supply.
From this class and from the Georgia slave
marker, most Of The consorts Of persons high in
rank taken. Such are the mothers of the
Subim" Porte, aye, and all of the SuItans that
have ever reigned on the shores OF the Bosphorus
tor the Sultan does not, in those simple countries
either beg the hand Of the princess he has never
seen. or initiating a common man, chose wife
among the coquettes of ballroom. The state
provides the parties of his couch. At various
periods of the year fixed by law, the Council of
Ministers and the Ulemas, in concave assembled,
note, rs it were, subsidy of girls, bought at The
public markets, or at private sales, and send them
with nigh solemnities into the arms of his Sublime
Majesty. On these occasions the Sultan goes in
pompous procession TO the mosque; ; and no doubt
thanks Heaven for the supply of angels which
have come to illuminate his solitary hours.-Llfe
IN tie East