The national Republican., 1861-11-07
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN.
A P.,,,n,o IN. sheik's Harem.

After a little mysterious whispering, we wert
asked If we should like to visit the mouse.
this being the only term by which II Is permit
ted to aiinde TO the female portion OF the fam
ily. We gladly assented, though feeling a doub
az TO the kind of interview we should nave
our Arabic being limited to five words, and, oi
course, these ladies speak no other language
At this moment two fine little boys ran into the
court, sons of our host, about seven and foui
years old. They were splendidly dressed, anc
each had superb aiprette of diamonds In hit
fez; both had their eyes deeply stained with
anthony. Oar coHpa iOls aud all the other
men now went away, and we were left alon.
with the Sheik. who, opening door at the end
of the court, introduced rs into room far
more European In It's furniture than any Of tn,
Others. The floor was covered with a bright
colored velvet carpet; fourpost bed, with
muslin curtains, stood In one corner; and over
an English fireplace was looking-glass and
several ornaments Of bad French china. Indeed.
there was nothing Eastern about the rooms, bd
a long divan under the latticed windows. Two
ladies' now entered, evidently very nervous
and frightened. The eldest, the Shiek's vii 2.
looked much older than her husband; she nigh
have been fifty, from her appearance, bu'
probably was not thirty, as women in the East
age rapidly: the constant use of the hot bath,
want Of exercise, and the quantity Of sweet
meats they eat, making them lose their teeth
and their complexioDs quite young.
She was magnifcently dressed in crimson
brOcaded satin, with velvet jacket Of the
same color covered with gold embroidery. 1t
was very open in front, showing q chemisettr,
which, as well as the underseeves, were of tbiu
gauze, trimmed with gold lace; round hi
throat hung several gold chains, with medal.
lions set with pearl, diamonds, emeralds, aud
other precious stones. Her features were still
handsome, though very strongly marked, the
eyes much blackened with antimony; otherwise
she was not painted, nor were her hands stained
wit benna. The younger lady, her daughter
was about fourteen. She had fine eyes and a
gentle expression Of countenance. Her dress
was like her mothers in shape, the pettcoal
only being OF velvet brocade aud the JACKIE
green. Both ladies' wore long violet gauzt
wells, fastened to the head by beautiful dia
mond ornaments; the hair was cut square t,
the face, while q quantity of false hair hun.
behind in innumerable plaits, to which golt
coins were fastened. A black woman now
brought an unfortunate baby, who had evident
ly been going through the misery of toilette
The eyes were painted with antimony, whit,
the tears caused by the operation had washc,
long streaks of black down its poor little cheeks
TN its head it had three caps, the upper on
being Of velvet, percsed quite on the top OF ia
head. and ornamented with diamonds. Bu
the grandeur seemed to be reserved for III,
higher regions as its legs were rolled up in 1
sort of muslin rag. This baby belonged I,
the younger lady; We had seen it before for ,
moment, strapped into most miserable cradt
inlaid with mother Of pearl. Damascus an
Lebanon.