Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-05-12
The Turkish Woman-Their Dress.

The Turkish Woman-Their Dress.
Owing to the larger crowd and the greater
display of merchandise, Monday is the best day
for visiting the grand bazars of Constantinople.
Friday being the day of prayer for the Mussel-
man, Saturday the Sabbath of the Jews and
Sunday the day of rest set apart by the Chris
tians, upon each one of the festal days some of
these great sects of the Turkish metropolis is
absent, and consequently the bazars do not
present SO gay and animated appearance as
upon Monday, when all attend, and when, from
having lost day, all seem more anxious to sell
or more eager to buy. IT'S gala day for the
Turkish women, and they crowd nearly every
avenue of the vast place, chatting, ogling. buy
ing and eating, and in their gay and gaudy
feredJis present pleasing and picturesque ap-
pearance. Upon the street they all invariably
wear the same costume from the beggar to the
Sultana; the only distinction being in the fine
ness of its texture For them the --latest
fashion" and enewest style" causes no an1-
ious days or sleepess nights. The feredji is a
long cloak cut in domino fashion with square
cape nearly reaching to the ground, and ex-
ceedingly full to allow the wearers to fold it
we'll in front. 1t is composed of species of
worsted stuff generally of the brightest and
gayest colors, the favorte ones being sky blue,
of very fine cloth or satin, usually edged with
broad and expensive lace. The yashmac consists
of long piece of fine white muslin, one end of
which is bound around the head SO as to cover
it as low as the eyebrows, whilst the other is
brought across the face, effectually concealing
every feature except the eyes, then wound
about the neck, is finally lost beneath the folds
of the feredji. During winter small shawls are
placed under it upon the head to protect it from
the cold. That worn by the rich and pretty is
composed of such exceedingly fine muslin
brought from the island of Cos that it resembles
gossamer thrown across the face. The feet
are covered with buskins of yellow morocco
protected by slippers made of the same material
Gloves are never worn. but the hands are folded
in front to display to advantage the henna dyed
fingers covered with the most expensive rings
The Armenian women, especially those be-
longing to the Orthodox church, vary but little
in appearance from the Turkish They have
been compelled, however, in order to distinguish
them. to select dull and sombre colors for their
feredjis, and black morocco for their buskins
and slippers whilst the yashmac is SO arranged
as not to conceal the nose.
No dress could have been invented better to
satisfy the eye of jealousy, as the most deformed
and symmetrical look alike; yet none more
suitable for the purpose of intrigue, for 80
completely is the face and figure concealed that
one might follow his own wife (f he had one)
without being aware Of the fact. IT'S indeed q
curious sight to see several thousands Of these
figures sliding along, for they seldom lift the
! slipper from the ground.
The bazars and the baths are the terrestrial
paradises of the Turkish woman, to visit which
! is one of their great pleasures and privileges
They but seldom 60 alone, the inmates of the
same harem usually walk together, accompanied
by eunuch, whenever the master can afford to
keep one. IT'S here they carry on their firta-
tons, using only the language of the eyes. The
young and pretty not unfrequently manage to
suffer the lower part of the yashmac accident
tally to fall to display fine mouth or we'll
turned chin or constantly arranging it, when
ever the hand is we'll shaped, delicately dyed
with henna, or covered with costly rings. So
important do they deem the right of frequent
ing the bazars thatit not unfrequently becomes
the subject of an article 10 their marriage con-
tract, drawn up before the Cadi, to violate
which would be cause for divorce.
Perhaps there is no country where the silken
cords of matrimony bind so loosely, or where
divorces are more easily or frequently obtained
than in Turkey. Scarcely any reason need be
assigned, it being only requisite for the husband
TO- appear before the Cadi and publicly repudiate
his vile, 1uu IL Is uOuDtltSS C0leuy OWluS I
this that women are placed in so low q scale.
Marriage, according to the Koran, being VOW
ordained by Heaven, from which none should be
exempt, it's, therefore, the great desire and
aim, not only of the woman herself but also of
her friends and relatives, to obtain for her q
husband, it matters not for what time, and con-
sequently an sold maid," sometimes seen in
America, is but seldom met with in Turkey.
There is also species of marriage tolerated
here unknown in Christian countries, called q
mataah for certain period. The person wish
ing to 60 into it goes before the Cadi, and
agrees to take wife for q specified time, pay
ing a certain amount of money, at the end of
which they can separate or have the agreement
renewed. IT'S not then to be wondered at that
where marriages are SO lightly made, and 50
easily dissolved, that not being permitted to
visit the bazars should be sufficient cause for
divorce.
OPINION OF THE u. 8. ATTORNEY GENERAL IN
THE CASE OF THE Estate OF MADAME SoNTAG
RossI.-During professional visit of Madame
Sontag Rossi to the United States, she invested
twenty thousand dollars In stocks of the United
States in her own personal name; and, after
her decease, administration upon this property,
as legal assets in the State Of New York, was
granted by the surrogate of the county Of New
York to - George Christ, Of the city of New
York, the sttorney in fact Of Charles Count
Rossi, husband of Henrietta Rossi, deceased,
late of Vienna, Austria ;" the power of attorney
referred to having been executed BY Count