New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-11-23
THE INTERIOR or Az ARiB HOUSE IN
DAMASCUS.

T,,n,ued by TIE rsluusE f.om VI. Bray de Buy'~.
During my travels had often expressed to lora-
him my es pest desire 10 see the interior OF an ARAB
house and 10 come 10 better Undertaking OF Tue
peculiar customs Of the domes'i, life OF the Arabs
Ibrahm had given NE encouragement OF TINS, saying
that on our return Damascus ne nigh; perhaps ma
an opportunity satisfy my curiosity did not Tor
get this promise and reminded him of it on the very
6ay OF our arrival in this city. Il" l will breach the
matter in MY own family" he answered. and
Z" DO not meet V th too seious objections you shas
dine with my brother This pleasing prospect gave
me great happiness and expressed to him my perfect
satisfaction at the arrangement. Two days stterward
he sent me word that vac expected TO dinner next
dsy by his family Ijoyfuly accepted the invitation,
and begged hun that nothing might DO calnsedhom
their usual customs and that they would receive me
as if we're really one of the family. You "l' see
I added. that the least innovation will be fatal 10
the object which have in view " Rest assured,
be replied, that everything shal be according 10
your wishes" The appointed hour cane lorahm
called to bis brothers house and Introduce me
10 his family Bending the head to the knee entered
little square room around which were seats OF stone
IL is in anterooms of this kline that the Mussumans e
ceve visits, and one seldom succeeds IN penetrating
into the interior of their houses. door leads tom
this room into court paved with white marble, IN
he center of which is an octagOna basin with ioun
tain; a double row of pillars with ORNAMENTAL Arches
run around il. Before the door by which had en-
tered was a staircase leading TO the single rooms.
The room into which was ushered was furnished In
the usual Moorish ETY. he. There was wood cIvaD,
the walls were covered TO tho high. o SIX or seven
feet with rbombodal PLACES of delft ws-e, and mat
also checked off in rhombods covered the floor. The
aged father of Ibrahim and his brother, youth "
about eighteen, sat bare'ooted and crosslegged on
the civsn sOlemnly and earnestly smoking their CHI
bouques At my entrance the old man gave me
friendly greeting and invited me TO cit down by bis
side Coffee and chbOuque were ordered forthwith.
A table about foot high stood in the middle of the
room; carpets ard pillows supp led the place oil
chair. In few inmates Ibrshm reappearei with
thee young women dressed ornamentaly and pic
turesquely; they approached ME, tool my bands and
pre-. sed them respectfully TO their lips. Two of these
women were without beauty. the third was rather
graceful than pretty; their gOden-yelow com
plexion was not without lts suracnonj their
eyes and black hair gave holiness to
their expression which was somewhat soitened
by the msgnifceLce of their loDg pendant lashe@.
The apparent size OF these was still Increased by mar
row black lines in pro'ongaton at the corner Of the
eye. Upon the bosom they wore two little blue How
e,s and they were tat ,oed one the upper part Of
the nose between the eyebrows and the other on the
chin TheiI feet we're bare; their finger aud ,oe-na
were stained reddish brown, and their ankles were
orpsmented with heavy metallic bands. On the head
they wore little red caps with golden borders and
large golden tass el in the shape of pendant
from the top. LoIg braids OF hair, on which were
strung small gold coiIs, completed that part of the
l. a. ..ok 81 NTH rtah hnr
der ike that OF the esp, served them in some measure
as bodice; il quite open in iront leaving the
Ieck entirely uncovered. The Moorish women have
not adopted eorsets and even yet cOrouence consld
cred smoDg them 10 be the perfection of beauty but
upon Europeans whose idea Of beauty differs from
that Of the MussumsIs this sort ofdEp'ay has bdt
effect. elk Iubic With open sIeeves reaches little
below the knee. Vide trowsers Of The sane ssuf we're
seen below over the bare ankles. A rich dsmask CIR
die bordered with silk and gold with bota ends hang
ing down, eLcircei the hips loosely AID the bare
arms were o4namented with bracelets. The whole
dress was, if ole did not judge it by too rigid
rue of propriety very pretty and picturesque
Immediately after tie entrance OF these 'adies,
about dozen dishes were st on the table, a sort Of
soup, game KOS koos sting Of chopped hsh and
nee dumplings fred In oil and served up on grape
leaves, grapes 6eo, OsU1j PvLD'B '-"'0 'N4 ''"4'|
tonary These were al set on the table a. the same
time and every ote loaded his plate with different
things at once; Il wac real Macedonia single
glasg, very large one filed with cold water, served
for gues. and hosts hands undertook the service Of
knives snd forks. Only ore o. these ladies st at
table, the other two waited on Ny place was by
the side Of the lady. The particular pieces which
ope preerred be took from the dish with bis hard 1t
was not, however, until after a little delay mat
could receive TO follow their example but sson con-
quered this fsstidiousness and took hold a. The rest
did, was toIerably well acquainted with his singular
custom from stories that had heard, and 80 strange
a. il seemed to me, wss not ssSonizhed Bat oae
thing Wa quite new TO me, that ii was admissible -
,aie from the plate Of neighbor the choice bits
which be had selected for himself Ny ss:onishment
NAV therefore be conprehended when my charming
neghoor reached her pretty hand 70 my plate 70 pick
out, without any ceremony, wha. suited her taste.
I vas really amazed at The confidence Of The dainty
hard shen It took possession 0: mor'el which va
just about 70 put in my own mouth. 80 great
fanifar.y surpsssed ny comprehension. Ny hOst