The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-07-28
The Vale of Sweet Waters-~The Turk
ish Ladies out of Doors.

FTluay, tne Ounuay OF the ManommeQanS, is
also their day Of recreation. We are now in full
spring, the season in which the Turks frequent
the country. This is the time for their excursions
to enjoy the day, either on the banks of the Sweet
Waters Of Asia or Europe. The former is, how
ever more resorted to in the autumn, and the
other draws greater crowds in the present season.
On Friday last the Sultan repaired there after mos
que, as also the ladies Of his harem. Many thou.
sand caiques might be gliding along the Col
den horn, filled with the families of the Pachas,
all bound for the same destination, the Sweet Wa
ters OF Europe, and filled with the veied beauties
OF the harem. 1t is vain 10 attempt TO give de-
seription ofths scene. 1t would require the eye
of an artist to deservedly appreciate its peculiar
features, and not the humble pen of your matter
Of fact correspondent to describe it.. The scene
of the Sweet Waters ofEurope last Friday remind
ed one Of the Arabian Nights, and OF the brilliant
descriptions Of the East only to be met in the po-
ems of Moore or Byron. The waters Of Europe
were sweet indeed last Friday. Many thousand
sweet creatures were there, spread about The
green meadows in groups Of four and five, with
little children and young girls in their brilliant
Oriental costumes. In order 10 place this scene
vividly before you, it is necessary to explain the
position Of the little valley in which all this occur
red.
The valley Of the Sweet Waters of Europe is II
the extremity of the Golden Horn, where two small
on the border OF these streams. The valley is not
more than half mile wide, with green hills rising
at each side. 1t is almost entirely meadow, inter-
spersed with trees here and there, and little wood
the left side. Ii is not cultivated, neither is much
care taken oft. AT any time but spring autumn
is indeed barren, and rds the swampy,
and during the winter months frequently under
water. At present it is however, in its full beau.
ty and verdurc. On Friday it peopled by
al G,l
before. The way was blocked up by carriages
full Of Turkish ladies', and the river was literal
ly so full of caques that you could not pass. The
fair natives Of fair Armenia and Georgia
there spread about on the grass, whilst black
eunuchs on white Arabians whirled about with
jealous eyes. watching the property of their mas
ters. The Turkish veil Uhe Yacmak) hides the
greater part of the face from view, but these fair
Orientals have Of the late years changed the tex
ture OF this covering, that you can well dlstin.
gush the finely chisseed nose and rosy lips be-
meath it. What beat ty not there assembled
| had never seen sucn an assemblage OF Turkish
ladies before, ratner of ladies belonging to
Turks and had often thought the accounts and
descriptions of the Oriental beauty exaggerated.
They not. II there one there were
hundred young women there Of the highest class
OF beauty, with the straight Grecan nose, and that
clear, soft. dark, almond shaped eye. What eyes,
and also what looks! They seemed very happy
seated in little groups pic-ncking They had
all brought their dinners with them, and sweat
meats which they were enjoying, listening to the
most discordant humdrum Turkish music, which
was being performed by parties of four or five
men with species of guitar, not unfrequenrly ac-
companed by cultural chaunt, the only excuse
the Turks have for singing. | am not an admirer
of Oriental minstrelsy. They have no ear for
music.
Picture to yourself these thousand damsels
spread about the green, in blue, pink, purple,
orange, scarlet, green, and yellow costumes
children in scarlet, velvet, with gold plated through
the hair, and intermixed with long locks falling
over their shoulders Ghere one little Turkish
boy, the of some pacha, dressed in red velvet,
prancing about pony in every direction } |
Turkish soldiers; great carts. guilt and decorated,
drawn by bulocks, and filled with women; me-
groes on white horses, gaIIopng about every
side Turks sitting :ross-legged smoking narg-
hles and chibouks in silence, en- oying their kiel
Armenans Persians, in their peaked fur caps, |
the Persian Ambassador in his carriage in full CO.'S
tune, followed by the most extraordinary looking |
men on horseback, dresseduP in Cashmere shawls; !
Circassians, in yellow pointed caps, (amost all
embassies were there J mix up with these some
British officers Of every uniform, and his Royal
IIighness the Duke OF Cambridge, with his staff
Ill mounted on superb Arabian horses. tine proper
y Of the Sultan, with purple velvet saddles richly
embroidered in gold and you have some idea OF
he brilliant scene the Sweet Waters Of Europe
presented on Friday last.
His Royal Highness walked and rode about a
yood deal. and seemed to enjoy the scene ANA
.ingly. Lord de Redclitfe, who | regret TO say is
did not accompany him. Our off,
:crs sirolled round the meadows looking at the
Turkish beauties !; and they stand fire very well,
assure you. Many glance was exchanged be-
ween them aud The lnglis Asker, those smart
,oung fellows in the red jackets; indeed | am told
hat one Turkish lady presented her handkerchie el
O a handsome ensign of the SSH; but this can.
ot vouch for, as did not see 1t. Several got
lowers from them know, for one young gentle
nan very naivelv asked, one take flowers II
hey give them to you? | have no doubt many
oQuet was given them. 1t is TO be hoped none
f this will end in a sack and the Bosphorus.-
The black guardians Of the fair were all eyes, or
ather scowls they were on the qui vive, but had
hey seen anything, they dare not touch an Eng
sh officer for smiling at lady. | saw one OF
lese fellows shake an unfortunate rayah by the
olar most unmercifully, because he did not get
ut Of the way quick enough. He had better not
y the same trick on an EngIishman-
MIND Your PRnNUNCIATIoN.-A young gentle
ian OF our acquaintance created quite sensation,
few evenings since, while reading 10 a circle OF I
Dung ladies poetic eflusion "To beautiful :
eIle," by pronouncing the latter word IN two syl'