Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-12-04
From w. c. Prime Tent Life in the
The Belle of the Harem.


1t was at this moment that small piece of a dark
night slipped into the and around among the CHI
bOuks and narghiles to my feet where pressing his fore
head to my hand he conrved to whisper to that the
* Slit Miriam wanted to see me- Surprising thereby
that she was ready to depart went out into the large
reception room but there. My sable guide
led while followed strongly suspicious that the imp
might commit an error and guide me into forbidden
rooms. l was not far wrong. Crossing court, down
into which the stars Shone, followed him into dark
entry, when he threw open door, and found myself in
the holy of hoes of Eastern house-that spot forbid
den to the foot of man in all ages of Mosem rule The
scene that burst on my astOnished vision was worth
journey to the Orient to Sec
One swift glance around the room convinced me that
it all right for | caught the eyes of Miriam who
was curled up a crimson divan, and smoking
Chile she had been brought up to it all her e and
in moment understood that she had managed the in
PRODUCTION by some ingenuity that could not have be-
Heved possible.
In Greece the seclusion of the harem is unknown
But in Greek families living in Egypt Syria it is
even more strictly enforced than by the Mahommedans
themselves for the contempt which is poured out on
Alahommedan woman who has shown her face to is
visited enold on Christians, who have difficulty in keep
ing their positions in the country The footstep of a
had crossed this Threshold before except of
father brother and the inhabitants Of this retreat
shrank at first in terror from having their faces by
stranger.
1t was by adrot management by proposing it as q
secreSy and instant departure from the country that
Miriam had persuaded them to consent to send for me
and they secured the old mans permission the ground
of the universal love of Greeks for Americans And
was sent for, and so came.
The scene i'll the room when ! entered was worthy of
painters presence The mother of the famy seated
on pile of cushions, was woman of splendid beauty,
and her daughters were like their mother. Her young
sister girl of twenty-five three, and her niece, girl
of seventeen, were standing near her, while their Nub
an slavessender and graceful women, black as night,
but not thickpped having rather the features of the
Shelalee of Egypt, and, in form and face, models Of
grace and beauty-waited their beautiful mstresses
troop of children with large black eyes, dressed like
fairies, greeted my entrance with shout OF welcome,
and for moment hesitated to enter place sacred not
only by Oriental custom against such visit but sacred
especially by the presence of so much magnificent beauty
not before exposed to the eye of a stranger.
But the surprised looks of Miriam and of Mrs. and
Miss Saunders treasured nc and advanced with as
much courage could be expected Of somewhat diff
dent American i'll an Eastern harem.
Often since then in still and quiet evenings, when
remembered the incidents of my Eastern travel the face
of that radiant Greek girl comes before me like vision
of the unreal beauties of paradise.
never saw woman so beautiful. She was the first
and last one that | abroad whom thought equal
to the American standard of female beauty; and she
was star,
She reclining on the divan, half buried in its
cushions with her arms around Mirams neck telling
her III all the rich Oriental phrases she could invent OF
her love for her newly found sister.
l will endeavor for the sake of my lady readers and
with assistance to describe her dress which was almost
ac ae of the dresses of four other ladies in the room
whose inferior beauty must excuse my leaving them to
sketch their splendid companion.
Firstly, she the part of the Turkish adys dress
which we would call the trousers known by them as the
shintya, and very different affair from the panaloons
which the American adiess rights ladies argue 50 much
in favor of: They are necessarily more cumbersome
than the ordinary European style of dress being enor
mOusly heavy folds of silk stuff embroidered with heavy
gold thread; gathered at the ankles with gold and .we
led bands. Those of which now speak were of rose
colored silk and the little feet that were quite hidden in
the folds as they fell around them when she walked were
covered with velvet slippers embroded with seed pearls
The yltdk-a sort of open dress that falls in long
train behind and is fastened only at the waist falling
away so as to leave the hitiyan visible-s believe
not worn by unmarried ladies' but she had similar dress
of the same rose colored silk richly embroidered
low cheisette, with embroidered front and sleeves left
almost the entire bust exposed and velvet Jacket heavy
with gold threads and jewels completed the rich and gor
geous costume.
But the dress although of the most costly fabrics Of
the Damascus LOOMS as nothing compared with the
jewels that flashed from her wrists and neck and hair
Over her left shoulder, hanging like sash down to
the right side of the waist golden grde or band
made Of broad pieces Of gold, shaped like willow leaves