Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-02-27
miscellaneous.
From Oscanyons Work. entitled The Sultan and his
People, in press.
TURKISH WOMEN.


TURKISH WOMEN
There is a prevalent impression that the
Turkish ladies are always imprisoned at home
but nothing is more erroneous for, since the
destruction of the Janissarios. who molcsted
every one in public they are to be seen every
where and on all occasions.
The only requisite for their appearance is
TO he yelled, and to wear the lerad e. or cloak.
Thus accoutcred they wander through the
bazaars, frequent all rural places Of resort,
visit the booths. and scarcely day passes
when they stay at home Nor is it to be sup
posed that they are closely mufiled as they
were formerly. The ancient outdoor cos
tune was most hideous they were enveloped
in an immense white sheet, a little piece of
borse-hair gauze being suspended over the
eyes But the yasbmak, or vail, is, at the
present day, composed Of the lightest India
NULL and has little power of concealing their
charms, but on the contrary, serves TO hcigh
ten their beauty by its gossamer transparency.
The archod eyebrows through this decep-
tive vail seem more deicately curved the
large and lustrous eyes shine more darkly
from its snowy folds and the delicate and
peach-like hue of the complexion is rendered
tenfold more lovely.
The texture Of the yashmak is now so ex-
quisitcly fine that the two square yards of
muslin which compose it do not weigh more
than single drachm
The feradje, or cloak, is an ample outer gar
ment, made of fine colored bombazine or Thi-
bet, lined with silk, and the edges are trim
med with embroidery
Their feet are clothed with yellow chelik. or
morocco buskins, over which pabopdi, OF slip
pors. of the same color, arc worn in the street.
~, flr n ha1,f
that not even the oldest woman appears in
public unvmed although the Koran pronoun-
ces burrows and wrinkles to be al-suiiicont
DISCUSSES for faded charms yet in Turkey, as
well as all over the world the maxim doubt
less is popular, that beauty never dies
Even the danes of ebony hue. dreading the
display of darkness visible, arc most punctil-
ious in covering their charms thus ailording
more distinguished specimens of the wonder
full effects Of light and shade.
During visits of ceremony, when the leradje
and yashmak are takon of, long strip
Of white muslin is left hanging from the
top Of the head down the back for the pur-
pose of covering the face in case of sudden
emergency. But such accidents seldom oc-
cur. as the gentlemen of the family are in
formed, as soon as they enter the vestibule of
the harem, that there are strangers within.
Thus equipped, the Osmanh ladies arc the
most independent creatures in the world.
As no one daros to look them in the face
from a sense of respect, it has been customary
for them slightly to encourage their timid adj
mirers by few lurtive gancos, if not posi-
tive attacks that, on all public occasions,
IN attentive observer may detect them in
some of the wiles of coquetry or unmeaning
Irritation.
Ladies' of distinction are attended by black
ounuchs, who protect them from the too h-
miliar approach of any witless knight, who
may ignorantly trespass the limits Of Oricn-
tia decorum.
These ebony gentry, from the nature of
their position. had become insolent and over
bearing, under the plea of protecting the la
dies, and native always avoided collision
with them, since they were sustained by pub
lie opinion. But their own extrayagant con-
duct has put an end to their pretonsions and
power.
Kizar Aghassy, or the head black eunuch
of the palace, was formerly influential
parsonage as to rank among the ministers of
State but at the present time, the cunuchs
have lost all their pristine greatness, and are
mere domestcs of the household.
The carriage generally used by the ladies is
called an ARABIA, which is often very richly or
namented and guided, and well cushioned in
the inside. The top is covered with a Grim
soned or green chram or shaggy cloth, manu-
featured in Albania, and iringed with gold
This spacious conveyance, capable Of accom-
modating six or eight persons, has no springs,
and is drawn by couple Of oxen, whose
heads are gaily tricked out, and furnished
with a charm against the Evil Eye, The ends
of the tails are tied to cluster of red tassols,
which are fastened to a hoop set in the yoke, /
and gracefully arched over their backs. This /
arrangement is TO prevent the animals from
scattering the mud with their tails.
The ARABIA is entered by means Of a small
temporary ladder at the back. There is a
conductor, or arobagoe, who leads the oxen
by chain attached to their heads, and yam
ashnia, or boy, who walks by the side and
goads them on.
But many of the families are now to be
seen in public, in European carriages, and
they delight in excursions ON the water in
their beautiful cayls.