Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-17
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY M VMERA

vi u brutal OLD monster, VINO had brought
her for his pandemonium harem. Nor is it
the father and husband alone who thus tyran
nize over the degraded women of the east
The authority of the brother in the event OF
the death Of the father, even though the mother
is still living is quite as absolute He can beat
them without mercy and impulty, and though
he may be younger than his seven sisters, it is
he alone that sells them to their heartlesS hus
bands, or in other words, the monster who will
give the most for them.
Happily now, however, this is rather a rart
case, owing to the ascendency Of Frank infu
ence. Indeed, the Orientals are extremely i'm
pressible by the example of their more civilized
neighbors. Several incidents may serve to il
lustrate this On first arriving at Jerusalem
the male portion of the family were always
served first, when we were handed refreshments
at their houses but, seeing that we observed
the very reverse order of things, they soon i'm
itated our example. The veil has also often
been stealthiIy drawn aside in imitation of our
non-observance of strange custom of smoth-
ering oneself. In cases of cruel treatment by
their husbands, such as dashing any missile at
them which may chance to lay in their way,
beating them with sticks, and otherwise causing
the blood to flow, our remOnstrances have not
unfrequently proven etfectual
As may be imagined the more sensitive of
these maltreated creatures are thus rendered
very miserable, even entreating for poison in
some instances, to put an end to their existence
as well as that Of their cruel masters 1t is
well known that while Oriental women are
taught to believe that they have no souls they
are impressed with the idea that their husbands
will reVel in delight in the bowers OF Paradise,
where each will have harem of any number
of black eyed-houris, varying from seventy to
seventy thousand, to administer to his happi.
ness. But notwithstanding this, these depriv-
ed creatures are very religious, so far as
bodily exercise goes, strictly observing their
many fasts and festivals, aud de voting much
of their time to PRAYER And their prayers al
though so complicated, lengthy, and fatgung
are not confined to their mosques or their
homes but whether visiting or on any excur-
sion Of pleasure they no sooner hear the sono-
rOus voice of the muezzim, than their girdes,
sheets or mats are spread, their faces, arms
hands and feet barred, and they commence the
intricate process Of prayer. Not twice or
thrice a day, but five times do, these deluded
creatures go throught their genuaeXion aud
prOstratons, thus setting US an example, which
if initiated, to but limited extent would
prove not only blessing to ourselves, but reflex
ly to them.
One day we had a visit from several of the
harems of the nobility, numbering twenty la
dies and half as many slaves bnt although away
from home, they sent their slaves to the well
for water, performed their ablutiOns, and each
one Immediately on the cry Of the mueZZim,
devouty prayed. OF course, their wells and
sheets were laid aside, and | was not little
amused at the great commOtlOn by the sudden
entrance into the court of a Turk, while they
were eating with uncovered faces. The slaves
set up loud scream, and terror struck ran in
every direction for their mistress wells As for
the miStresses themselves, it was actually dis
tressing to h ear their painful cries-and such
was their effect Oh the unfortunate intruder, that
he made precptate retreat amid their shouts
Of q" Roohee roohee away away !
Gratitude is one Of their redeeming qualities!
What will the ungrateful lady of the OcCid-
ent think of her Oriental sisters abasing them
selves to kiss the feet of a dispenser Of medici-
nes, to show their appreciation Of some slight
medical services he may have rendered them
| have seen lady of the upper circles Of
Jerusalem society struggling to perform this
too, IN spite Of an uncultived mind and soul.
The education of Oriental woman is not only
entirely neglected, but strongly reprobated
by public sentiment-almoSt the solo arbter of
manners and customs in that country, ifnot in
this. Indeed, must not this necessarily result
from the contempt and servitude in which she
is held Among rich and poor, in the family
of the Efen6i and Felah she Is alike iuno-
rant Her accomplishments consist in being
able to cook, arrange her turban gracefully,
and administrate to the every whim of her
doting husband Odious as he must too often
be, yet she has no other God than her husband
and to crafty him with the strictest obedience
is the most praseworthy of all good works
she can perform.