Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-25
PEEP INTO A TURKISH nAREM.

Ra,clay's yisi, to a Turkish Harem Will De
-ood nth interest. Miss Barclay resided
fonr years in Jerusalem. The accompa-
nv;n1 article is from advance sheets OF
nav work, BY that lady, entitled, "HadJi 10
Syria" r..,. ,s.,I.
cented an invitation from the family Of the
Rash Cath, whose Office is next 10 rank to
that of the .Pacha, to spend day with them.
Thew had proved themselves true friends; but
apar, from this. had long been anxious to
obtain an insight into harem life.
On entering the house was greeted with
the usual cry of welcome. "Ahlau Wassah-
Ian" in which every occupant of the harem
united. Even the slaves ran to the door
clappins their hands, and making the nois-
lest demonstrations Of delight Five min.
utes after l had taken my seat, hngans OF
coffee and pipes we're handed. in which at
tempted to Join them, but the effort proved
signal failure. The delicate workmanship OF
the tipy cups containing the coffee, by no
means exempts one from burnt tongue, nor
makes palatable the uusweetened beverage,
for the charm of Turkish coffee with some
consists in its being boiling hot. and the all
,epce of sugar The nsrghileh, 30 tempting
TO the eye, with it's crystal urn ADD amber
mouth.piece. was soon laid aside with die
gust. which fear was hardly understood by
nv Turkish friends. who sohighly appreciate
these Injuries that most Of their time Is devC-
ted to their enjoyment.
There 10 but one Turkish lady on my list
of acquaintance who can boast OF her abii-
ity TO read and write. Her presence afford
ed some variety to the trivial subjects gener-
ally discussed; for she not only possesses the
rare accomplishments Of reading and wri-
ting, but has improved them; aud her CON
with the Koran and other textbooks of Mo
hammedau faith. 10 addition to this, pill
prmsge to Mecca, aud hand ever ready TO
relieve the wants of the poor, have secured
for Der widespread fame.
About noon, dinner was announced; not
however, before each one bad washed her
hands and face, and observed the usual forms
of prayer. A large round waiter was piac,
ed on stool richly inlaid with pearl, and
upon it, little dishes in endless variety were
temptingly displayed. Among them, cou-
fections prepared from rose leaves and aprI-
cots, transparent iel!ies and soups composed
of a variety Of nuts. Cucumbers scooped
out and filled with rice and minced meat,
fsyorite dish; and another, almost as popu-
lar. a bowl of minute cylinders of dough
dried in the sun, and then mixed In sauce
Of butter and sugar. Cushions laid on the
floor were substituted for chairs; but alas,
for knives and forks! 10 their stead nv only
resort was a wooden spoon. The tavorite
wife, and the queen of the harem, frequently
handed me morsels Of food with her own ben
pa-tipped fingers, intended as mark OF great
honor.
Having done full justice to our elegant Int
tie dinner, the luxurious divan was resumed
and a warm discussion entered upon as tC
the manner Of spending the afternoon. The
bath was proposed by some, but dissenting
voice was heard from the seat OF honor, where
the chief lady gracefully reolined, III favor o
music and dancing. messenger was &c
cordingly despatched for tamborines ant
dancing women-for in the East dancing II
considered far beneath any but the Poore
class, who make it a trade, end charge Ger
tain sum for their services on festive occa
sions. Their dancing consists 10 few un
dulsting movements Of the body, not uDgrace
full, and accompanied by castanets and tn
tamborine.
NV European dress caused them as much
amusement as their curious apparel afforded
me; and they we're not satisfied until We hat
exchanged costumes. A mirror was broug5
into reauisition, in which they wonderingl,
surveyed the change wrought by the sport
A large number had assembled to see thu
lady from the new world" and they were
very curious to know something about th'
manners and customs Of my country. GTea
was their surprise on hearing of the liberty
epioyed by their Western sisters, which
strange to say, although used all the terms
of enthusiasm my knowledge OF the Arabic
could command, they did not seem at all t
coyet. They could not conceive OF woman
possessing a soul. On asking one Of then
what would become of her after death, SHIT
replied, II shall be put under ground-noth
ing more" And your husband" said L
will he be doomed to the same fateT-
.Ob, no." che sadly replied, me will be ta
ken above, and there enjoy all the delights
paradise"
Among them were some lovely Georgians
profusely adorned with sparkling jewels anc
the purest Of Orient pearls. There were
lev besides these with any rretensions t
beauty. Nearly all, however, had the sol
gazelle eye, 30 often apostroshized by tht
poets.
left them, feeling more grateful than ever
for the light epjey, and the hope of bliss
full immortality, and ardeDtiy desirous tt
share With them my own glorious civil and
religious privileges, which would at once re-
lease them from the leading cause OF their de-
gradation-the tyranny exercised over them
" their husbands, who can put them away
for any reason, every reason, snc no ass,gnt'
BILE reason.
can feel emotions Of deepest indignation
at tho painful recollection of quite pretty
young girl, who was inhumanly divorced by
her 6ard-hearted husband before either Of
them was twelve years of age, simply be-
eause he saw more beautiful girl, snc was
unfortunately able to buy her. Oh! the 10
expressible, and, by Us, uncomfortable wretch,
edness flowing from this awful traffic In ie-
male Hs.h-the burning shame and crying
sin of Oriental Lille! Love, Of course, Is a
plant that will thrive in no such soil. In
deed. it seems to be rather an exotic IN the
Orient at this day, cultivated only here and
there % q mere hot-house plant.
While memory performs her functions,
shall never forget the impression made on
nv mind, when witnessing the an u'sh of a
poor girl, as she went along weeping to the
house Of q brutal old ope-eyed monster, who
had honght ber for his papdemOnium barem.