The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-05-10
THE HAREM OF THE SULTAN.


the New York Express. is now on foreign tour,
and writing to his paper some very entertaining
letters. From the one from Constantinople In
Wednesdays issue, we take some highly interesting
paragraphs-The Sultan is now 30 years old, and
he does not look much older, but he does look as
if he had been wearied, and worried and teased,
and caudled into shadow of man by Ills harem
The Sultan has only seven bona hde wlves-that
is, wives who have the privilege of producing an
heir to the throne But the Sultan has whole
regiment of other pretty women, the prettlest
that can be found in Circassia, or Georgia, or
elsewhere and if Pera gossip be true, his heart is
soft, his nature is kind, and they give him world
of trouble. They run him into debt, and though
he forbids it, and says he won't pay yet pay ne
does and almost to his ruin.
It is not wonder then, that with harem OF
such women, he looks wearied and worried-tor II
one wife in our land, employs and occupies man,
what can no better man do here with seven real
wives, and little army of wives just as real in point
of fact? Nearly the whole harem was out to-day
to see him. or to attend him route for his palace
on the Bosphorus, to the Mosque near by The
curiosity of my profession, to say nothing OF my
curiosity as man, was piqued to the utmost TO
see into the curtained carriages of this thus publicly
exposed harem | walked then, and Of course,
rewalked up and down. to steal look or stare
wherever it was possible. The yaskmak, their
|
human vision, and thin as the gauze often is, we
have good look at the mouth and chin. Then
had the benefit of some European ladies In my
companv, whose bare-headed hats and ample hoops
we're as great curiosity to the ladies OF the haTem
as their yaskmaks and flowing robes were to me.
Thus 1T was woman's stare against Womans stare:
and the natural curiosity of European and Aslatlc
women, gave as good an opportunity to see the
pent-up beauties of Constantinople, as any Glaour
is likely ever to have.
was not struck blind by any overwhelming
luminary The eyes were often quite killing, but
there was not that soul in them, that radIatine
intelligence which can sparkle only from the
cultivated mind. Pretty dolls! Charming play
things! All glittering in silks or muslins o.
Broussa, and the diamonds of Golconda! One
cannot help wishing to steal them from the tall
sturdy girt, black Eunuchs that guard them, bu
then what would we do with them if We had them
These black Eunuchs, by the way, strike the
American eve as the oldest of all odd sights II
Constantine Pile. They picked men, six feet
or six feet eight inches high, mutilated wher
Young. and raised for the duty of guarding tn
harems. The chief of the black Eunuchs hold
one of the highest positions in the Empire III
has the control of everything belonging to th'
Imperial Harem and apartment and the Governmen
of all the Eunuchs white and blacks. Then iron
: the nature of his office, he has the means o
ingratiating himself with the Sultan, and thu
becomes powerful as friend or an enemy of tn
officers of State Hence all white men look up t.
: him and fear, though they do not love him.
e saw the ladies in of the carriages to-da
0 call up tall big black fellow of this sort, 4 cou
: not find out his rank, y and chat with him in tn
!, freest and easiest, and happiest manner and upo
e the outside of the carriage pointed out to m
a a son of the Sultan, who afectionatey kissed tn
# hand of the negro, after he had left the ladie
within