Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-07-15
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A MOORISH HOUSEHOLD.
visit TO 1lussu, man FamiIy-Moor.
ishDomsssic ty-7oppos'1ion 70 Poiyg.
. The Hon. S. S. Cox, in letter to the
New York Would, thus describes a visit to
Moorish family in Algiers: "Our visit
had been previously arranged, and prom
iso made that we should see all the trim
kots, jewelry,. etc., Of Moorish household.
As Mustapha Kayato led the way to his
house, he emerged upon tho narrow streets
through which we were passing. He said \
that once he, too, could afford to live in an
elegant house in better quarters, but the
French came, and all was changed. He
had sold his houGc, taking one much in
ferior, and kept his shop like one of the
common people. We did not see the de-
graduation of that, but out of respect to our
host we forborc comment.
1--WE enter the ordinary Moorish house
by large double, common. wooden door.
It opens into a small square vestibule.
A neatly whitewashed stairway is in front.
and a door at the side opens to the inner
court. The double piazza incloses the
court, and the lower rooms ore devoted to
the servants. The stairs were of slate, and
I noticed their extreme cleanliness was not
in the least disturbed by the boots of the
gentlemen, since our host had quietly
dropped his shoes at the door and encas-
ed his feet in another and clean pair ready
for him at the foot of the stairway. Meme
"A good idea for the lords of creation of
other nations The doors of the ,piazzas
and rooms were of porcelain tiles, We
we're ushered into the salon de reception,
one of the four upper rooms reserved for
Mustapha's family. low, cushioned di-
van ran the length of the room, and in the
front, scattered over the room, were car
pets, rugs, and silken cushions. Nine.
Rayato rose gracefully to receive
us and gave us the Arab salutations. Then,
We choose our seats as best suited us; I, on
the divan near our host, my Italian COM
panion on the carpet in front, charming
little French madame we had encountered
on our travels (for the gentlemen were ex-
cluded), upon the cushion by our side.
Nine. Rayato on the other side of her
liege lord, with her group of three very
pretty daughters, while number four, a
pretty child of about that number of years,
nestled between her fathers knees, and
alternately bestowed and received carebses
from her handsome papa, Indeed, it
seemed much like q Christian household in
this respect; beautiful domestic picture,
Mustapha's face radiated with pleasure,
tas he foated down the calm current of
domestic bliss Nine. Rayato was very
pretty type of the Moorish woman. She
had decidedly Spanish features and COM
plexion, as we thought; we afterward found
| it was true, as she was descended from q
| very wealthy and noble Spanish family.
!: e., a Moorish family once celebrated in
Spain before the Moors were driven thence.
Her hair was dazzling in its blackness. It
was cut short at the neck and covered with
silken foulard handkerchief whose en-
broidered and fringed ends hung jauutily
upon one side in the form of heavy tas-
sell A diamond .word fastened it on the
forehead; au agraffe, with pendants, torna-
nlented the point at The tie; and these were
matched with earrings of pendant soil
taires. She wore crimson velvet basque,
cut nearly in the Pompadour style, with
lace chemisette, and confined at the waist
by girdle of the same, the girdle
and basque embroidered in gold
Large, full muslin .pantalons,' over
those of q thicker material, completed
the toilet of the madame A dozen strings
of pearls were around the neck, and sew
eral pairs of bracelets, in, antique designs,
of gold and diamonds, and massive gold
anklets, were the ornament of hands and
feet. Of course, she had put on the addi-
tional number of jewels, &C., to redeem the
promise made to us to display all her BIZ
jouterie The diamonds were set in silver,
SO we were able to bear their sbrilliancv
without envy. Had the setting been gold
I would not speak for our integrity. After
ward, jackets Of gold cloth and s.pantalons'
| to match, were shown us, for fete occasions
The children were attired like the mother,
only with less jewelry, and instead of the
foulard head tie they wore the little fancy
Greek cap Of gold coins, tied coquetishy
at one side. e:,. ~. - ana. ~. ,,;,,
''salutations over and jewelry examined,
we explained our different nationaities, we
speaking in French and Mustapha Rayato
translating into Arabic for his wife. We
their children. since their country, is be-
! coming essentially French? No. Our
religion does not allow instructions in any
other than our own language. Did you
take your wife with you to the Paris expo
sitionY :'Oh, mo! Moorish ladies' seldom
travel They do not always stay at home,
surely p mo. We 60 to our country
house for the SUMNER said madame, and
we ladies 60 to the cemetery on Friday
Besides, We visit among each other
But in the evening, in the city r.
Do you not drive out as we do to taky
the fresh air? oh, no. Never (! atWhe
should they?' says M. Rayato. They
have the court here. and the freedom OF
the house. Your daughters marry SO
young-when do you expect to. give up
your pretty charge there ? pointing to his
Oldest of IA, in size and precocity already
20! oh, in two years more, probably al
which the young Lady coyly concealed he,
remarks, that no dowry is needed on the
must bestow certain sum. You must be
happy to know that you can add to that
sum, however, for your daughters com.
fort p oh yes Allah be thanked the
French have not taken my all Our French
madame appeared to enjoy all these dia
tribes against her own nation as much as We
did. ,, &C.. o. :.
g But, NJ. Rayato, how is it? You have
but one wife?' Here Nine. R., curious te
know the question, opened her great black
eyes half suspiciously and said, on tho in.
slant the translation was given. If he had
another ], would strange her !" and, with
equal quickness, turned on us, saying
But why is it madame has but one hus
band2 To this we could make but one re.
ply, and that in her own language previous.
~ given in answer to our numerous Other
questions: 1T is our law-it is our: reli-
gion! Here neat, bright-eyed mulatto
gial, who proved to be our acquaintance OF
the night before at the RELIGIOUS rites, ap-
pears and bring in low table or stool
She follows it with asilver salver, on which
were china cups in silver fligree holders,
filed with odorous coffee. Napkins Of the
length of towel, with embroidered golden
ends, were unfolded for each, and laid up
on our laps; then the sugared coffee, with
out cream or spoons, was passed, followed
with blocks of q jeweled paste, handed to
us in spoons. Both were very good, and
our hosts were kindly urgent that we should
partake again; but, glancing at the time,
found, to my horror, that we had but 20
minutes to reach the hotel, pack our trunks,
and leave for Bildah. I will not answer for
our hasty adieu,, or the impression left
upon our hosts by, the hurried manner of
! our exit, but ina few words Of thanks for
their great kindness, ard good wishes for
the future Of mademoiselle the elder. We
descended the stairway and literally rushed
for hotel and railroad." sss d - -.
3: UNDERGROUND JERUSALEM ss :
An Interesting Exhibitio,a In London.
An interesting exhibition is about to open