New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-07-05
The DELIGHTS of a Harem.


Olive Harper, writing from CONSTANT
nople, describes visit to harem Of one
Of the wealthiest Turks in the city. She
says:
After the tiresome dinner was done we
all adjourned to the saloon, and girls came
in to cling and dance. They brought their
awkward lutes, and thrummed away at
them and sung interminable songs in a mo-
nOtonOus manner that almost set me to
sleep in spite of myself. Then four of them
rose, and, throwing aside their jeridgees,
began to dance, if dancing it can be called.
They all wore trousers and clippers, and for
bodices only little sort of Spanish jacket
that left nearly all the bust and stomach
exposed down to the belt, being only held
together by button and loop. Their hair
wac braided and hanging down their backs
and full of little jingling coins. Their mo.
tons and actions generally were, to my
way of thinking, very indecOrous, and
was glad when they had finished and took
their leave, painting and flushed with their
lasciviOus pOstures and cOntOrtiOns.
Then the Pasha clapped his hands and
four slaves came in and set up a large white
screen, and another came in with little
table, on which was a large-sized magic
lantern, to make what they call Om6res
Chin0iSes l watched this with some curios-
itv, for had heard that this was favorite
amusement with Turkish women. This was
a pictorial drama. Itrepresented woman
and her many intrigues in due rotation,
some OF them being OF comic and some of
a very serious character, wherein she
seemed to be in great danger OF discovery
until the final result took place. She lost
her head at last. Some of the pictures
were the most indecent possible to imagine;
bat these women seemed 70 take the great
est delight in them, and to laugh with the
most innocent pleasure. / did not dare to
say word against the exhibition there,
but did not look at them-except from be-
hind my hands That is the truth.
After this exhibition was over proposed
to go home, and the Pasha then rose and
reminded me that must make a choice of
some article IN the house 10 take with nae
by way Of soWcenir. objected, told him
my memory Of this day would serve to
recall bis family to mind, and much more
of the same sort; but he told me if l had
been well received there. and had no secret
grievance against any Of his family, must
take something, or that misfortune would
certainly attend him and his. The women
offered by dumb signs their jewels, but l
was too good-natured to take that advan-
tage. looked about me in despair for some
trifle, and at last saw an odd shaped black
inkstand and stand holder. told the Pasha
that if he would permit would take that,
as by that means ! should always have his
gift before my eyes.
! had no sooner stopped speaking than
saw l had made mistake. l believe
never opened my mouth yet without put
ting my foot in it," The women all looked
blank, and for moment the Pasha was
staggered. ! fastened to retract, but it
was too late, and have the inkstand now
Going home, the Pascha sent his secretary
and female slave with me. and from them
found out the value of the things. They
are of black stone, set with coral and tur-
quoise, and were made to order out of
piece OF the prophets tomb at Mecca,
which the Pasha Lad obtained at great
price On his pilgrimage. l had better had
asked him for one Of his most costly jewels,
one of his horses, or his Damascus sword.