Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-09-25
the knee, and which is generally made of
the finest silk of sky-blue color, with
q cfmSon satir, stripe-

the knee, and which is generally made of
the finest silk of sky-blue color, with
ac:imson satin stripe.
Beneath thisaH fastened the Turkish
trowsers. fitting tightly around the
ankle. and with their loose and ample
folds falling over the foot, concealed in an
embroidered slipper. They are usually
composed Of the came stuffs @ the dress.
The head isaeither sencircled IN small
gay cashmere shawl, or scarlet cap de-
corated with large gold tassel is coquet-
tishly placed on. to display the beauty
and elegance of the hair, dressed to suit
the fancy of each person. During the
winter loose brocade robe lined with
ermine or sable, is gracefully thrown
around them to protect them from the
cold. The arm is usually bare and loaded
with the richest bracelets, whilst the fin
gers, the tips of which are dyed with
henna, are covered with rings.
One would naturally suppose that the
Turkish women. living as they do in
state of separation, would suffer much
from ennui; but such is not the case.
They pass their lives in circle of amsse-
ments compatible with their tastes. They
are either paying or receiving the visits
of their friends. Much of their time is
spent upon their toilet, and they amuse
themselves by eating and dancing.
Though they are ignorant of the intel
lectuh enjoyment Of reading, their time
does not. prove so irksome as one would
imagine. Born and educated within the
precincts of the harem, they know moth
ing of happier life beyond it; and they
do not idly repine for those pleasures OF
which they are ignorant, and which they
have never tasted. The watcbful vigl-
lance of the eunuch, instead of constant
1y reminding them of their imprisonment,
only strengthens their belief of the high
estimate their husbands place upon per-
sonal charms.
After the labors of the day the Turk
enters his harem to unbend himself, and
throw aside those stately manners which
he ever adopts in public. 'Tis then his
wives and slaves cluster around him to
while away his time, and display before
him their varied charms and graces. One
sings to him some favorite air upon the
harpsicord; another gratifies his eyes BY
going through 'e motions of some volup-
tuous dance; while perhaps the favorite
one will nestle more closely upon the
divan beside him, and gently narrate
some wondrous fairy tale SO peculiar to
the East.
'Tis thus he passes away his evenings,
stranger to that quiet and domestic
happiness that impart such charm to
the married life America stranger to
those fireside pleasures which ought ever
to cause sigh in the bosom o a b; chelor.
Though frailty is punished with death,
yet am told that the fair ones of Con-
stantinople do not possess q larger share
of virtue than those of any other great
capital. Love here, too, laughs at locks;
and though he has to escape The watchful
vigilance of the eunuch, and is deferred
by the damp terrors of the sack and the
Bosphorus, his flights are as erring here
elsewhere. Perhaps, with the veiled
beauty of the East danger imparts zest
to the intrigue that makes her more
eager to engage in it.