The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-07-10
Circassian Girls.

sian maidens is from Mackie's Interesting
life Of Schamy recently published by Bos
ton House. Notwithstanding the modes
freedom of manners which prevails amongs
them, previous to marriage, they become ex
:remely coy afterwards. They are not, how.
ever, less attentive to their personal appear.
ance, and the failing of their maidenly beau.
ty is concealed as much as possible by at
tenton to drapery. Though females are
bought and sold in Circassia, there is no part
of the world where they are the objects oi
more respectful or chivalrous treatment:
"The bride of Schamyl must have been
unlike her country women generally, if she
was not handsome. ** They are
described by travellers as OF good heighth
have light and plant forms like the birch
among trees, with either fair or olive, the
old Greek cast Of features, and eyes and hair
generally dark, though some writer's in de.
Scribing them, sing also of ..-..
The eyes blue dalllanees, .-
.rs And the golden hair. -.-
On their heads the girls wore bonnet
not unlike the Albanian skull-cap, of scar.
let or some other brilliant color, and trim
med with lace of silver. Beneath this their
hair falls down their shoulders in brads
which are confined at the end OF silver cord,
or are tied like the tresses of the Cossack
girls with bright ribbons that nearly sweep
the ground. Some times, also, these plaits
are gracefully confined in silk network.
Over the chemsc, is worn jacket of some
gay color, confined in front by silver clasps,
or it may be simply leathern corset Joined
together by stitches. ss A skirt
open in front, and confined round the waist
by scarf or grdlc, falls sufficiently short
OF the ankles to show the wide Turkish
trowsers. which are tied above them. Close
fitting morocco slippers cover the feet.
which being kept as scrupulously clean as
those Of the Hindoo women if not like theirs
ornamcnted with rings are in doors frequent.
ly left bare, while out Of doors a kind Of
wooden clog is used to avoid the dirt. The
slippers are sufficiently coquettish, being
made of red or green morocco, ard of size
to admit the foot only in part, with small
high heels, and dainty pointed toes. Slightly
turned up.
The hands, which, as well as the feet, are
small, have the finger nails dyed with the
juice of the flowers of the Balsamina, and
are pI Iotectcd in the open air by two mittens
The natural color of the face, however, are
not generally heightened by the pencil, al
though the Circassisn fair are partial to the
brightest tints in their apparel, being there.
to invited by the gorgeous lights of land
scape filled with multitude of flowers, and
which the very rocks and SHOWS burn morn
ing and evening, with hues scarcely less
brilliant and variegated.
The Circassian maid is said to have in her
veins, some of the blood of the amazons
who anciently bore the pharetra, and fol-
lowed hunting in the mountains. Her
style Of dress and measured gait, together
with her sharing the martial sentiments OF
The society in which she lives, give her still
Of the port Of Diana, and make
her fit to be the warriors bride. But, at the
same time, she is not lacking in the femenine
yraces. Dressed in brocade or in rags, the
Circassian girl is represented by travellers
is never awkward, and never failing to as
'ume spontaneously the most easy and nat
lral, as we'll as the most dignfed a attitudes. |
Her manners have but little of the exces-
i've reserve afterwards adopted when shc
becomes wife. But SO long as she is in
he market for a husband, she allows her
elf to be seen freely by all men whether
Wishing or not to become purchasers. She
,oes abroad unveiled; dances with the other
lex; mingles fearIessly though without ef-
rontery among the groups of men; kisses
he hand Of the stranger before seating her.
elf on the divan by his side, and though |
ruly modest and decorous in her deport-
nent, she yields her cheek almost without
blush to the lips of the warrior who re.
urning from the slaughter of the enemy,
eels en- titled to claim those favors which
n less fortunate lands can only be stolen
" swans the most dexterous, and whose
tars aid them. ...--s-
The Circassian girls are sparingly nour-
shed, says an ancient writer, living mostly
pom milk, bread Of millet and pastry
Delicate in her food, as she is neat in her
ress, growing up in the healthy air of the
Mountains, living in society of simple
astes and natural habits, always treated
nth gallant courtesy by a race of men
those hearts are mostly moved by a love Of
'ar. and Of boauty,it is not strange that ma
IRE should have preserved through so many
enerations something ofthe type OF lowell
ess which adorned the worlds age of gold
hich in modern times has made the Cauca,
ian had to be regarded by civilized man
5 the image Of his maker
-.-., ----psssa-------~- -..
THE QUICKEST TRIP ON REcoRD.-A gen.
eman arrived at New York,at four o'clock.
aturday afternoon, who left st. Paul, Min
esota, Wednesday at ten o'clock A. NJ.
aving travelled one thousand five hundred
nd twenty five miles in three days and six
shortest trip ever made between