Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-05-27
A Visit to a Turkish Harem.

Half an hours ride brought us to the
Pasha's house in STEAMBOAT "a large
wooden building with closely-latticed
windows. We were received at the door
by tall Ethiopian, who conducted us
across court to the harem. Here q
slave took our wraps and we passed into
little reception-room. A heavy rug of
bright colors covered the center of the
floor, and the only furniture was the
divans around the sides. The Pasha's
two wives having been apprised of our
intended visit were waiting to receive
US. Nine. L. was an old friend
and warmly welcomed, and, as she spoke
Turkish, conversation was brisk. She
presented me and we all curled ourselves
up on the divans. Servants brought
tobacco in little embroidered bags, and
small sheets of rice paper, rolled up
cigarettes, and soon all were smoking
The Pasha is an old-style" Turk and
frowns on all European innovations, and
his large household is conducted on the
old-tashioned principles of his fore
fathers. His two wives were young and
very attractive women. One with pale,
clear complexion. dark hair and eyes,
quite came up to my idea of an Oriental
beauty. Not content, however, with
her good looks, she had her eyebrows
darkened, delicate black line under
her eyes, and q little well applied
rouge and powder Il regret to confess)
made her, at little distance, still more
brilliant beauty. doubt if any women
understand the use of cosmetics as well
as these harem ladies. Her dress was
bright, cherry silk, the waist cut low in
front, the skirt reaching to her knees.
Trousers of the same, and slippers to
match, completed her costume. The
other wife was equally attractive, with
lovely blue eyes, and soft, wavy nalr
She was dressed in white Broussa silk
waist, richly embroidered with crimson
and gold braid, blue silk skirt, white
trousers and yellow slippers. They both
had on great deal Of jewelry. Several
sets, should think, were disposed about
their persons with great effect, though
not in what we should consider very
good taste. Being only able to wear
one pair of earrings, they had the extra
pairs fastened to their braIds, which
were deliberately arranged about their
heads and hung down behind There
were half dozen slaves in the room,
who, when not waiting on their mis-
tresses, squatted on the floor, smoked and
listened to the conversation. Coffee was
brought almost Immediately, the cups
of lovely blue and white china in pretty
silver holders, on tray OF gilt filigree.
After sitting here while, exchanging
the compliments of the day, we passed
to the next room, large saloon with
windows and door opening into the court.
Here fountain threw up a sparkling
jet of water, and several trees and flow
ering shrubs with profuslon of ivy on
the walls made it very attractive place.
The child of the eldest wife, bright
eyed little boy, was floating chips in the
basin of the fountain, laughing and clap
ping his hands when the falling water
upset them or wet his face. The floor of
the apartment was covered with large,
handsome rugs, and had luxurious divans
around the sides little other furniture
seems necessary in Turkish house.
We followed our hostess example and
seated ourselves on the divans, though
not as they did, with their feet under
them, and refreshments were served on
large gilt salver in the middle of which
was handsome-covered dish of Bo-
hemian glass, on a gold stand, filled
with sweetmeats, and on each side were
vases to match, one holding queer
shaped little spoons with golden bowls.
There were also four glasses of water
and four minute little glasses of pale vel
low cordial. Fortunately the tray was
passed first to Nine. l., so watched
her movements and knew what to do.
She took spoon from one vase, dipped
it in the sweetmeats, a2d, after eating,
placed her spoon in the empty vase.
Then she took some water and drank
,..f I,.1 e. fst -.
polite to taste but once( and placing the
pose. did not need to be told that the
sweetmeats were rose leaves, for the
flavor was perfectly preserved.
Nine. L. kindly repeated most |
of the conversation, which was chiefly
composed on their side of questions
concerning Nine. LIS family: was
her husband as kind to her as ever, had
he made her any presents lately, was
married, my husbands personal appear
ance, did | love him, how old l was,
where from and where going to? These
and similar questions they asked with
the curiosity of children. They are the
topics usually discussed when their
friends visit them and are considered
perfectly public and proper. Then we
WClC lHfltCu iHtO tulIu IOOul, WucTt VIC
were served with violet sherbet, cake and
Turkish paste. After partaking of these
the ladies sent for their jewel-boxes and
displayed their treasures, which con-
sisted of pins, earrings, necklaces, head
and belt ornaments, some very handsome,
and all composed of precious stones of
more or less value; for Turkish woman
does not value an ornament that is not
set with precious stones. This was an
agreeable change from the former con-
versation, and when we had admired |
their jewels breakfast was served The |
servants brought scarlet rug of soft,
shaggy stuff, which was spread on the |
floor; low, round brass table, two feet |
high and three feet in diameter, was |
placed in the center of this rug and we |
four ladies seated ourselves around the |
table Ia Turk. A servant brought
brass basin which was like an immense
wash-bowl, with colander in it, turned |
upside down; we washed our hands |
over this, water being poured over
them from large coffee-pot Il |
should call it, with an unusually
long nose, and wiped our hands on hand
some towels embroidered at The ends |