New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-06-08


sion all the harems Of Constantinope had poured forth
their inmates from an early hour. Every window,
every shop every little nook whence it was possible
to catch view Of the procession in the long distance
from Dolma Bakche to TopKapou was covered with
Turkish women. They were squattng all around and
all one upon another decked out in their gayest iere
jees Of all the coors Of the rainbow topped with their
white head-dresses, which contrasted with the black
faces Of their attendants Wherever the street widen
ed it was lined with carriages in which were reclin-
ing the slaves and favortes Of the wealthy, and in
many of these was to he noticed lovely face reluct
anty concealed behind the curtains, which wond now
and then be gently drawn aside by delicate white fin
gers covered with gems, to allow the admiration OF
the European passers BY.
The Sultanas left Dolma- Bakche at II A. NJ. At
the head Of the cortege the Ksar Aga, or chief
Of the black eunuchs He rode o superb charger,
caparisoned He IL fr!ghtfully ugly,
it in such profuse Masses that it stad the eye and pre-
vented his ugliness being noticed. Then came the
three Sutanas each in state carriage gtterng with
silver and gold, and drawn by horses whose trapplngs
were also studded by silver and gold ornaments.
There were eunuchs riding all Sides and all in fine
clothes md splendid horses Each Sntana was at
tended by her mother and, by one slave. AS they
drove rapidly past blaze OF diamonds flashed across
the eyes Then came the other slaves and female at
tendants in about thirty carriages, veing with their
mstfesses in the spendor Of their dresses and jewels
and many far surprising them in their charms. i,
Although the Sultanas went to the seraglio in per-
SON. neither they their future brdegrooms appear
at the ceremony Of betrothal This is performed by
procuration.s The Kslar Aga represents the Sultan
and the Sultanas this occasion, and the Grand Viz
Ter, Redschid Pooh, represented the bridegrooms.
The witnesses were Ria Hacha the Seraskier, Chex
Pacha, of the Mint and Ali Ghalc Pacha, son-ln law
stpulates the sum his son-inlaw is to pay for his
daughter, and this sum becomes her dowry. This
was fixed at 5000 Turkish pounds in this instance
The marriage contract is read before the witnesses
~ 1. 1tol, ~1EXt.
Koran read-and this part of the ceremony is over.
The Sultanas return to their residences and are fol
lowed there by the presents offered by their ances.
The presents are by no means the least important
part Of the ceremony, and are taken to the imperial
palace in great state. First, three beautiful Arab
chargers, magnifcently caparsoned, were led past
The saddlecloths were of the handsomest embroidery
in precious stones ever saw, even in this land OF
embroderies. These were present to the Sultan
himself from his future sonsin-law. Then came the
presents to the Sultanas themselves sweetmeats
OF all sorts, in covered china vessels five Of these
vessels are put on tray, and a cage of hoops and
gauze of various coors, trimmed gaily with rbands
and flowers, covers the tray, which is borne on a
mans head. A hundred such trays of sweetmeats
were borne past from each bridegroom. Then came
other trays, larger ten in number, on which were
placed shaws and articles of dress ten pieces of the
richest brocade Of silver and gold were among the
dresses offered by Ell Hami Pacha, and various rich
cashmere shawls. Then came two carriages, in each
of which an enormous Golfer, covered with velvet
and ornamented with silver plates, full Of costly per-
fumeries. Then came the more precious articles on
tea-trays covered with silver cage, surmounted, in
those sent by Ell Hami Pacha, by golden eagle with
spread wings.
!, AS the presents offered by Ell Hami Pacha were by
far the most costly and tasteful, will content myself
with describing these First the 900 pounds dowry
was carried past in five red satin bags on five trays.
Then the head dress Of the bride her wedding day
gold and silver knot for supporting the hair at the
back of the head, and band Of velvet embroidered
in brillants and pearls with verse of the Koran for
the front, Then the veil Of silk which is thrown
over the BRIDE embroidered in pearls and briants,
and with no less than seven hundred carats OF bril-
ants on it then the slippers also one mass Of pearls
and diamonds, and the pattens used in the bath
covered with gold precious stones; then the round
toilet glass, of which the back was plate of gold
beautifully worked, and also studded with precious
stones Precious stones were scattered in prousion in
these articles Of everyday USE 50 to speak, But now
came the jewels themselves; a splendid diamond tra,
very high and long enough to go round to the back
of the head, with large bunch Of flowers in diamonds
dropping over the right ear; this had been set in
Paris, and was beautiful in design as well costly.
A pair Of diamond earrings with diamond drops of
great size and perfectly oval shape. These gems,
without an equal in the world had been the property
Of Ell Hami Pachais father, and had been procured
for him in India Lastly, ring with one very large
diamond, also of perfect shape and color. Numerous
other articles of less importance, though Of great
beauty, were offered by Ell Hami Pacha, who spared
bride suited to his immense wealth. 1t is calculated
that in Jewels alone he has spent over fl20,00C
sterling. .s..t5 800 ,'..
The same articles pretty nearly were offered to the
| other Sultanas by Mahmoud Pacha and by Ethen
Pscha; but Of course they did not attempt to riva
the riches of their future brotherin law, FL Ham
Pacha. It took the same number of men to carry
their presents hundred and twenty men, beside
two carriages
1t was pretty sight to see all these riches go b,
between the crowds of curious of the fair sex espec
4 ally, and to watch the various sensations on thei
countenances as the sun shone on all these treasures
What will be the effect on the little Sutanas to whom
all this finery is destined? The eldest is scarcel
4 ffteen-a mere child in, our ideas. Although tn
4 three have been betrothed only one will be marie
this year-that one which is destined to Ethem Pacht
son OF Mehemet Ali Pacha, who must not be cor
fused with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who's
4 name is also Ehem Pacha. After the presents wer
received at the palace the future bridegrooms wei
admitted to see his Majesty, and the Snltanas Sc!
presents to their houses snufbox in gold and brl
ants, handkerchief embroidered in brilliants, II
whole enveloped in a magnificent boktcha, or wral
per- also richly embroidered. e5-
| r..