The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-07-03
YHisfella'ueuns.
traits Of T.rkish Women.

9A"%~A"'t~@"""
"" Traits II T.rkish Women.
The most striking and painful feature OF Mo-
hannedan countries, (says Edna Dean Proc
tor is the degraded position Of the women
The lower classes wear out their lives In the
most menial drudgery; in proportion IS they
rise In the scale Of rank and beauty, (beauty
makes rank here), they are petted and osre''ed
but at the same time guarded with the most
Jealous care. Any woman In the Sultan's do
miuious. no matter what her birth and oircum-
stsnces, may aspire to become An inmate OF his
hsrem provided she has the requisite perfection
OF face and figure; and, what is yet stranger,
AFTER remaining there for time, she may often
anticipate being given In recognised marriage
to some one Of his chSf officers. Yet there Is
no respect for Q woman because OF her nature,
her character, or her sphere. She is admirable
only % far % she contributes to the pleasure OF
man; and In all stations, whatever influence
she has 10 due 10 her neeting personal charms
Alas for the one who has no enchsntments OF
face or form according to Moslem creed her
heritage Is doubtful, even In the world 10
come. ..t...
II isa mistake to suppose that Mohammedan
women never 20 abroad. You meet them in
every street and bazaar. but always yeiled &C.
cording TO the peculiar fashion Of the place
they inhahlt, aud watched and attended just In
proportion as they are valued, 90 that the more
restricted they the moro oOmplimented they
must feel. Their indoor dress Is everywhere
much the same-loose, full trowser,, confined
at the ankle, o flowing robe, with . girdle about
the waist, and jewels proportional to the
wealth Of the wearer-a style much more
graceful and desirable than many modes which
Paris dictates. At Cairo, the women OF the
better classes wear usually In the street black
silk mantle which envelops them from head to
foot, and . thick veil or screen which entirely
oonceals the face, except the eyes The dress
of the poor Is similar, but the material Is q
coarse blue cotton. Hundreds Of women OF
this latter class In Cairo sit oil day upon the
ground with little pile Of bread, or fruit, or
vegetables. by their side for sale; and through
all the oppressive heat never lift their wells,
considering II o disgrace, which only the low.
est will incur, TO have their faces exposed to
view, while at tho same time perhaps neck and
bosom are wholly bare. Tho young girls at
eight or niue years OF age assume this veil. In
Damascus thin brlght-hgured handkerchief
Of silk or cotton Is drawn over the face and
fastened behind. The shrouding mantle here
Is Of white cloth. sometimes Of embroidered
muslin; and with the wealthy, OF those rich
silk fabrics for which Damascus is renowned.
Nowhere, except In sea-shells and sunset SKIES
have seen such tints as there-yellow plnks,
rosy purples, orange blues, crimson green.
maroon browns. all shot through with gold and
silver threads, . blending that pleases and yet
Th. native we DYER. M of Cashmere boss. Of hav-
ing more than forty distinct and peculiar hues.
think there cannot be less at Damascus. In
Constantinople the veil gives place to the yach-
man. q scarf Of the finest and most delicate
white muslin, which ID folded across the head
aud face, leaving the eyes and part OF the
forehead uncovered, and pinned or gathered
into 4 knot At the back. Nothing could be
more becoming than this gauiy muslin, giving
a Transparent look to the complexion, enhsnc-
ing the briliancy Of the soft black or brown
eyes which glance from between It's folds, and
only half ding the luxuriant hair. noticed
that the pretter the woman the thinner Was Its
texture; and there were some blooming faces
TO which Il was only such drapery as the moss
Is 10 the rosebud. Onen Il was caught back
with pearl headed pins, while pearls hung in
the ears. or CLEANED In o bandeau along the
brow. The outer garment, the feridjee, Is more
graceful in the shape than those worn else
where, aud falls from the shoulders likea CLOAK
arr shawl. Its common material Is merino or
poplin, OF q plain light color-gray, fawn, IL
lac, maize, and sometimes crimson or green
Rings, set with turquoises and diamonds, spark
led upon the fingers; but gloves and black
shoes are rarely seen, the slippered feet being
incssed for walking in loose boots OF red or
yellow morocco. II Is said that many Of the
Turkish women are wearying Of their present
prescribed attire. and getting . taste for Wes-
tern fashions; indeed. some Of them have car
ried their discomfort and envy % far As to spit
upon and push down Europeans passing them
In fresh Paris costume. An elegant Engiisn
lady, residing In Constantinople, told me that
she had twice been thus rudely treated in the
ba,sars Of Stamboul. Their own dress, how
ever, Is very pleasing from It's simplicity OF
form and color; and, 10 they did but know IL,
unless they could be guided by o fsultless taste,
they would lose, rather than gain' by the
change.
The alabsster smoothuess and clearness OF
skin which many OF them possess is doubtless
owing in sreat measure to their frequent
use Of the bsth-the 6rst and most important
part of their toilet. II subseryes also another
purpose for them which is wholly Eastern. II
Is q kind OF matrimonial market, and the bro
kers are the attendant.
The customs Of society make II % difficult TOR
Young men to see young women, and to judge
Of their attractions at fi ct hand, that they Of
ten 20 10 the matrons Of tho baths to hear OF
somc one captivating to their fancy; and when
such one Is described, u there 10 no obstacle,
negotiations are commenced. In this way, l
am told, many marriages are brought about.
But not TO them only, to all Orientsls, the bath
Ia the primal luxury OF life. In order to appre.
ciste the delight It has for them, one should
look into some Of the cool, yaulted apartments
where they rest AFTER the earlier processes are
over. In the centred fountain falls 10 perpet-
usl spray, and all around they recliuc upon
couchcs and divans. slipping. coffee. smok-
ing nsrghiles or chibouks, and abandoned 70
that dreamy, delicious repose which !, lor
them the nearest approach to PARADISE, re.
call here courtly Arab, native OF Cs'ro,
man of ,ome fortune, but who, nevertheless
for a suticient consideration, would OCCASION
,lly deiCu TO act as dragoman. and In that ca
pacity had accompanied q party whom he knew
In Syria. Ixemember his bright. eatished lace
AZ he sauutered into the court OF the Hotel DE.
metri, nj Damascus, on q sunny morning iss'
Anrjl. clad In spotless linen, . gay turban on
on his head, roses 10 his hand, and depending
from heavy gold chain, he wore . seal, en-,
rIayed with sentence from the Koran,
said "You look radiant this morning. Man,
mould" 40, yes" was bis reply, 'ior
have Just come from the BATH.
There Is for me On irresistible charm 10 tn'
Esstsrn couptenanos and manner. The peo.
Ma of the West throw themselves into life -
n they feared the present were oil the Orien'
tsls take Il a. but single phase OF existence
They are In league With Fate. and carry ~ y
their faces the serenity akin tn sadness o.
those 10 whom all events are alike welcome.
have NO desire to see the Asslatio tribes crush
Al and driven out before the advance OF Eu'
rope. They spring from earths primeyai 10.
OF their customs and modes Of thought dat'
back TO the infancy Of the race. They have
some elements Of character grsnder than our'
and they need only to be developed and en.