Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1869-05-11

TALLAs. NEAR CEsAREA, }
Asia Minor, Mar. 20, '69. }

Ma ENRON = Your readers may be III
terested TO know something of 1 the
people IN society. have said that there
is very little commingling of the two sexes
in society, nevertheless, there is much OF
real politeness among them.
That YOU may clearly understand the
matter, you will need to mingle somewhat
with the people. If you please then, l
will take you out " calling" and will be
your interpreter. That you may see a
go,d specimen of Eastern etiquette we
will call upon one of the "chorbazeeS" or
wealthy Armenians. In the wall Of this
narrow, dirty street, is large heavy door
entirely without ornament, supplied with
an heavy iron knocker, with which we
give one loud call 1t is answered by 4
voice within, "who's there" to which we
reply, a OPEN" The door opens, and we
are ushered into large open court, nicely
paved with smooth stones. The house Is
a massive structure OF hewn stone, and
not withouLraefit as work OF art though
NV III accordance with our LUCAS viz
gance. The sery;fut who has admitted US
opens the door to room neatly carpeted
and supplied with divans or ''seiirs" on
three sides, ON which are seated cur
host and several other men, all smoking,
not cigars, which are never used here, but
cigarettes made by rolling very small
quahiy of tobacco, in white tissue paper ;
this is usually held in mcuth-piece OF
wood, ivory or silver, from eight to twelve
inches long. One miserable man is smoS-
ing the 'nargle' which consists of IN
urn-shaped vessel of glass containing wa
ter, through which is drawn the smoke
from Persian tobacco, by means of fex-
iblc tube from four to six feet long. AS
we enter all arise, but do not leave their
places. Wesay 'good evening" to which
40 one replies. We are beckoned to the
"highest seal" which is in the corner Of
the room upon the "sedir" upon an extra
cushion. soft AMI more beautiful than
the rest When we are fairly seated, our
h, st responds hearty "good evening"
with a cordial welcome, and at once the
entire company follow salt with the usual
salutation and welcome, making us feel,
of curse, very much at home. We are
ready for conversation, aud as we talk i.
the servant brings us, either the ''nar-
gle" Or the cigarette" that we may join
the company in a social smoke, while we
talk. They appear somewhat Surprised
when We politely decline, saying that we
never smoke, Tor here, almost everybody
smokes. Thenext mark of respect is to
bring US coGA not to do this would bea
want of civility. This is served in very
small cups. holding ro"hans a tahle-sron.
80, va' very strong, and usually, espec-
tally among The Turks, without sugar.
Ordinarily, this will answer for the intro.
ducing "treat," but as they wish to show
us special honor, the servant soon brings
us large waiter, on the centre of which
stands an elegant glass dish of rice jcllv,
or preserves, and also glasses of water,
and a glass of tea-spoons. We each take
with a spoon, a small quantity of the iel-
ly, drink OF the water, and wipe our lips
with Il towel hanging from the servants
right arm,
Sometimes this service is performed by
the daughter, or the wife Of tire host, bat
more generally they do net appear unless
some Of our lady friends are with us,
which VIII not often be the case, except
in calling on some Of our Protestant friends
who understand our customs,
During this interview there is oppor-
tunity for free conversation, so far as our
command of Turkish will allow.
When we are ready to leave, We are
very politely escorted to the outer door
and dismissed with special charge to
give salutations to our friends.
When our ladies call, they 90 without
US, and Of course visit with the women, of
he house, as we with the men, and the
same ceremonies are regarded as essential
Us mark Of respect to them. We will
hope for another opportunity soon to learn
mere of the castoms Of this people.
i. b.