The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-16
MOSLRM WOMEN.

lanes and tortuous alleys, by an arcade, and
emerge upon an avenue of open stalls, at the
door of each of which sits bearded Turk.
II is there that are sold exquisite essences of
jasmine and bergamot; minute TASKS of altar
of roses in cases of embroidered velvet; rose
water; endless varieties of cosmetics; little
bags Of musk Persian mirrors; carved hair
brushes; painted combs; and, in short, the
whole arsenal of female coquetry. In the
rear, up two or three flights of stairs, are
stored in chests and drawers articles of
greater perfume-censers of gold, in
laid stands, curious silver salvers, bells of
nargiteS is Khorassan steel, and innumerable
knickknackeries of Oriental fantasy.
Ordinarily the women one meets in the
streets of Constantinople are repulsive from
their untidy dresses, and, if the ydsnaac OF
any one of them happens to fall, hideously
ugly. But here were gathered the young
wives of the harems. They had no end of
money to spend. Credit for any amount
purchased was readily given. The name of
the husband opened all the treasures OF the
bazaar to the wives of the wealthy. Many
had the reputation of being favorites to beys
and bashaws, and we're presumed to be beau
tiful. There we're those who were accompa-
MED by pretty children, dressed in rich
jackets of red or green, and Mameluke trou-
sers of cherry -colored silks Negresses, clad
in white or blue, followed their mistresses,
cared for the babies, of whom there were
many, and took charge of parcels to carry
home. Ugly as the most expensive street.
costume of the Turkish lady invariably is,
the groups of women and children, eunuchs
and negresses, pages and dressing-maids,
dowdy old servants and spruce errand-runners
for no Moslem wife of quality ever under
takes the slightest labor-that gathered
around the stalls or formed in the street in
earnest talk, we're exceedingly picturesque.
The very concealment of the faces of the
women became incentives to imagination.
A Turkish merchant makes no efforts to
sell his goods Leaning on his elbow, he re-
spends carelessly to the thousand questions,
heaped one upon another, put to him by his
female customers, who forage among the
goods, and turn everything on his counters
upside down. Incessant chattering goes on
prices are asked, without waiting for answers
-tapering fingers wander among the piles of
beautiful wares and eyes, flashing from be-
hind heavy wells, tell of fancies pleased.
Whispered pleasantries pass from one to
another Purchases are constantly being
made amid incessant giggling. The children
are INDUCED with presents, keepsakes pass
among the ladies, the negresses tie together
and place upon their heads the parcels they
are to carry, payments are made, change of
money is counted and mistakes are rectifed
while the street is lively with incessant talk
ing and merry laughter.
There are no female shopkeepers in Con-
stantinople. Women are prohibited from
selling goods. 1t is evident enough, however,
that they avenge themselves in buying. AL
most the only outside amusement in which
respectable females - mothers, wives, and
daughters of the wealthy-indulge with free
dom and without scandal, is shopping. 1t is
their one resource abroad. The contrast it
affords to even the most luxurious home
ho emf oia ifca1f 70 oixra
breathe fresh air. They see their friends.
They indulge their love of fnery and jewels.
They compare tastes with others of their
rank. They hear gossip. They tell secrets.
They enjoy scandal. And chance for CO.
quetry-when, no informer being near the
yasne0c may be dropped on the instant-will
perhaps occur. No wonder that shopping is
relshed by Turkish gentlewomen more even
than by their Christian sisters of Paris or
New York.
On every pleasant day, in all streets where
are attractive shops, are to be seen throngs
of dark-eyed women, groups of gay children,
fat, dusky nurses, and weazened, beardless
eunuch with the same exhibitions of chatter
ing and laughter, good humor and frivolity.
1t is not the place in which to moralize upon
the unhappy condition of Moslem wives.
With that feminine perversity that can put
adroitly the best upon the worst, they will
not appear victims of degradation, such as
modern civilization makes them to be. They
may not compare favorably in sturdy charac-
ter with the strong-minded women of the
United States, but they are not fools. They
are sometimes educated. They have womanly
tastes. Their love and knowledge of flowers,
gareening, colors, drawing, embroidery and
painting, surpass those of their must Guilt
waited European sisters. They think. And
they are not the slaves our Christian
theories teach. The retort of a
pachas third wife, when an American
lady expressed surprise that she should
dress herself so beautifully when no gentle
men would see her besides her husband has
its point:-''Do you Christian ladies', then,
dress for other men than your husbands 2"
In fact, the bazaars that offer Cashmere
shawls and Broussa silks amber bracelets
and peacock-feather FANS inlaid mirrors and
diamond brooches, are not favorable spots,
nor do the hght-hearted, laughter-loving
customers that frequent them compose an
audience for severe moralizing upon the
wrongs of polygamy While the old Osmanli
sit in solemn, cross-legged composure, pro-
Tossing for the ''dogs of Christians" con-
tempt as profound as that of their ancestors,
wives change their views. They become
tolerant The Christian gentlewomen they
meet, each teaches lesson; and the fellow
feeling good-breeding gives draws the two
together.
Even at home the ladies of the harem have
much to attract them. They are won by
Jewels and shawls, scaris, and all kinds of per
suasive finery. AS Georgian Christians
Mohammedanism loses its repulsive features
to them in gorgeous mirrors, and the truths
of Islam come persuasively to their young
bosoms in the delicate folds of the Cashmere
The eyes of devotee cannot be blind tC
L. l..