Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-10-12
C1RcAss1AN AND ARMEN1EN wonEN
THEIR EDUCATION AND HABITS.

that while he was at Bambon, there lay in the
harbor, small TurkishveSsel, which had been
seized by the armed boats of Russian man of
war steamer, manned by Cossacks. On board
this vessel, beside the Turkish proprietor and
some sailors, was a Circassan prince, as a
guest from the neighborhood of the fortress,
accompanied by two Of his noble vassals, and
some servants, young woman and six Circas-
sian girls, from twelve to fifteen years of age.
The master OF the vesselwas probablya SNUG
gler, conveying food and ammunition TO the
Circassians, and taking aS return a freight of
Clrcassian girls Tor the slave market at Con-
stantinople. This Circassian prince might
have wished 10 make voyage TO Constantine.
pie from political motives, The. charge of
smuggling ammunition, which the Turk de-
MED, could not be proved; but the forbidden
traffic in girls was palpable, and by the Rus
sian laws the vessel was confscated. On in
quiry being made OF the General how he in
tended to dispose of the CircassiaDs, he re-
piled that they belonged TO race with whom
Russia was at peace, and he should therefore
set them free, after interposing some trhing
difficulties and exhortations. The writer fur
ther adds:
"Neanwhile, The son OF the Prince had ar
rived, to beg the Liberation of his father.
accompanied the Cireassian within the rayon
OF the fortress, where an interesting scene fol-
lowed. In announcing to the girls their liber.
alton, the General ordered them 10 be inform
ed that the choice was opened 10 them to be
sent back to their homes with the prince Of
their own race, or to marry Russians and Cos
sacks OF their free choice, to return with me 10
Germany, where all the women were free, or
lastly, 70 accompany the Turkish captain, who
would sell them IN the slave marke: at Con-
stanlihopie. The reader will hardly credit
that' UNANIMOUSLY and without moments
consideration, they exclaimed: "To ConS,an.
tinople-to be sold?' There is scarcely any
people more proud and ]enlous OF their liberty
and yet TINS was the voluntary answer Of these
women,
''If however, we investigate little deeper
the view, thoughts and habits of this eastern
people, the answer will not appear unnatural
but, in fact, accordant with their notions.-
The purchase and sale of women IS deeply
rooted in the customs OF the people-every
man buys his wife from the father or from the
family. On the part of the women no feeling
Of shame is attached to the transaction, but
1 rather sense OF honor and, indeed, before
We can pronounce on the subject, we must be
intimately acquainted with the circumstances
and must be able to place ourselves exactly in
the position of the Circassians. In our own
country Circsssian girl lives IN state of sla.
wish dependence on her father and brothers.
Hef position is therefore raised when a man de
mands her in marriage, and stakes his fortune
10 obtain her, at the same time that he liber
ates her from the servlle constant Of her fam
RI lily. r..
Among Euroneans. n rich man WIN marie
n moor girl, generally annearS aeiuotel Inv com
lpassion-she is conprainlated on her rooS for
lime, which is sometimes offensive fo a wa
mans prit]e. II. on the contrary. n rich cir
marries moor man, she purchases her HUSBAND
and this is humiliating 10 him. When tw,
marry who are equally well ofT,tbe match has
more or less, the mir of a mercantile transac
ton: so that il nigh, also appear as if genuin,
and disnterested affection could onlv be foun,
in marriage between two moor persons. Blu
|, here again the motive is often either one O
mere passion, need of mutual assistance an
) attendance, or wish 10 establish seperat
household. The eastern girl sees in her pur
chase price the test of her own yalue-th
higher the offer the greater her worth. TIL
purcbase of women b ing the common practic
among the Circassion tribes: slave .t,ealers 1
whom they are sold are TO be REGARDED simpl
: as agents. who dispoSe of them in marriage i
Turkey. Their parents know thot a bette
LOT awaits them there than at home, and III
pirls willingly 90 TO Turkey. where. as the trai
i fic has existed for centuries. tbey constant
= meet their kindred. In their own homes, more
, over the Circassian- men are ronph and impe
f rious. and the women are slaves 10 all kinds q
!. drudpery and meniol labor; whereas The Tur
il notient and kind husband, and tende
. father.
"Tbe young unmarried Armenian people, O
= both sexes, enjoy nerfect liberty, within tn
: recognized limits OF manners and propriety.-
: ICustorn is here preciselv the reverse of whs
: nrevails in,tbe sllrronndins countries. Whils
. in the latter. The purchase of wife is ibetnI
usual form of contracting marrige until whic
=. time the Girl remains in perfect seofusion, anon
the Armenions. nm the CONTRARY. The youn
=. neonIe of bo,b seyes enioy ne sacial inte,
: course. The Girls 90 where ibeylike unyeile
and barebeoded. The yonnp men carry O
!. their 1--we su;ts freely and openly. and maria
ges of ohect;on are of common occu rrence,
Ru, with marriage The scene changes The wor
which the vounr woman nronounces at III
altar. in accenting her husband is tbe last tbf
: ;s for a long fine heard from her Inns, Fror
!, that n,oroent she never anneors eren in he
: own house, unveiled. she is never seen abroa
: in the public streets, except when she goes
# church, which is emily twice in the year, an
N then closely yelled ( a stranger enters tn