Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-03-11
"THE LIGHT OF THE HAREM.v

IHE LlGHI OF The HAKEM,S
What was Seen Inside a Harem-A Chapter
from the Court Life of Modern Egypt
How MOhammedan Princess Amuses
Herself.
The article in the Revue DIES Deux
Mondes upon life in the harem is full
OF extraordinary details upon this
curious subject, and the extracts from
Madame Kibsisly- Mehemet-P asha' s
book furnish us with opportunities for
gl1mpses into these strange interiors;
From her account of her visit to the
daughter Of Mehemet Ali, the Pasha,
we make this extract,
l found her seated upon her divan
and smoking a long chibonk. She
arose and babe me welcome. She was
woman of middle size, and quite a
brunette. Her features express uncom-
mon energy, and her penetrating eyes
sparkled with intelligence. [ bowed
low before her. She saluted me grac-
iously, and indicated by wave of her
hand that [ was to seat myself opposite
to her on the divan.
Around the apartment were number
OF old women, whose duty it was to
amuse her Highness by relating stories
to her &: A chibork was brought for me,
and the Princess began the conversa-
ton by paying meseveral compliments.
When we were talking they brought in
some sherbet, and afterward some
coffee. At the end of about half an
hour [ retired for a short time to the
apartment which had been prepared for
me. Shortly afterward dinner was
announced, and [ had the honor of
dining with the Princess alone The
table was covered with embroidered
silk, and the various articles of food
were served in silver dishes elegantly
chased; even the spoons were orna-
mented with precious stones. After
dinner we all went into the garden to
smoke and take coffee Toward ten
o'clock fruit and sherbet were brought
in vessels of gold enriched with dia-
monds. The Princess having drunk
wine and, brandy, began to talk more
Familiarity with me then she called
some of the woman to come nearer.
One of the woman played the role of a
lover Of the Princess, and they prac-
tlced all sorts of gallantries. During
this scene which became more demon
strative as the drunkenness of the two
principal actresses increased, some of
the young slaves danced about the
apartment, clapping copper castanets,
while others sang. They appeared to be
very much fatigued, and one could see
by their looks that they did not have
enough sleep. But they were obliged
to endure without murmur all that
was put upon them, otherwise their
mistress would beat them pitilessly.
Several had died under the cruel treat
ment inflicted on them by the Princess.
[ became tired at last of scenes of
debauchery and egOisnae SO revolving,
and toward twelve o'clock begged
permission to retire The woman who
had come to seek me at Jerusalem
reconducted me to my apartments. I
begged of her to remain with me little
time, and then [ heard some particulars
about Nazly. "You have seen our
MISTRESS" she remarked. "She passes
all her nights as she begun this one.
she generally rises about midday.
During the day sac pays visits, takes an
airing in the carriage, drinks, and
amuses herself according to her fancy
Although Egyptian ladies are much less
free than those of Turkey, she finds
means, in consequence of the frequent
absence of her husband, to introduce
her lovers with impunity into the harem.
To assure herself of their silence she
used to have them killed, but as these
murders became noised about she was
compelled to renounce so perilous a
pastime. We are all very unhappy
under her rule, for she is as capricious
as she is cruel. Her husband once
said to slave girl who was pouring
some water for him, Enough, my
lamb, and this simple expression being
repeated to the Princess, nearly drove
her out of her mind. The young girls
throat was cut by her orders, her head
stuffed with rice, and baked in the oven;
and when the prince returned this
strange entertainment was served up.
Take a bit of your lamb, she said to
him. Thereupon he threw down his
napkin and rushed from the room, no1
did he return to the palace for long
time afterward. He never seemed to
have any affection for her after this
occurrence.