American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-07-17
An Egyptian Wedding.

1t was nearly eight o'clock when We
quilted the hotel. cast a lingering glance
at the dinner just served in our dining
room; but my husband, who thinks
Oriental cookery the best in the world,
would not allow me to spoil my appetite,
and we went directly TO the Pasha' S
house At the door the gentlemen were
directed one way and great strapping
cunuch seized upon me in the most alice
tomato should say ceremonlous-man-
ncr, for Oriental hospitality goes to make
n guest understand that not even the
trouble of walking is permitted in shc ha-
rem. No sooner had | passed the thrcsh-
old than cries and bowls met my as
tonishcd cars. The bride had returned
from her bath and was being conducted to
her apartment, so the singers, dancers and
old women yelled as hard and as discord-
antly as possible. By this time l was up
stairs, and about to pass into the saloon,
when renewed howls announced the ap-
proach of the unhappy husband. A
crowd of females rushed to the doors to
catch glimpse of him-pushing, crowd
ing each other, and pretending to hide
their faces with the curtains hanging be-
fore the openings. My eunuch made good
my place. and when the excitement was
over entered the saloon. In the corner
was a large, low, round table, or rather
platter, with pedestal not more than six
lnCnCS nigh, uDOll Which, WHY lldhy pito
of bread IA g gargalcttc' Tor jug of water),
and a dish in the middle, while around it
were grouped as many children and nurses
as could get one hand forward-armed
with wooden spoons, each made good her
right to the contents of the dish. 1t was
the last of their last dinner!
Imagine my state of mind and how
hungry | was-but having come to see as
well as to eat 1 determined to do enough
of the first to make up for the latter, and
sat down beside a fat, painted, dowager-
looking lady, hoping 10 enter into con
vcrsation of signs, if not of words, when,
to my delight, a pretty little girl with a
black wafer between her eyes came up,
kissed me and said in broken English
al am very happy to see you. My brother
dhe bridcgroOm) told me you would come.
Be welcome" Then came two others,
Younger and prettier than herself, with
black waters between their eyes, kissed
me likewise and sat down. Of course |
asked about the wafer; it is the sign of
family felicity, and each female member
was so adorned. Presently the girls were
called away, and an American lady "a
doctors wife, believe, resident in Cairo)
came up and expressed her delight at
meeting some one with whom she could
converse. She had been there since three
O'Clock, and gave me details of the never
ending ceremonies. She was a friend of
the families, felt such sympathy for the
bride, who was nearly fainting from ia
tigue, etc.
Presently a fat, good-natured looking
] person entered, whom thought 1 recog-
niZed She looked at me, l at her, and
then we shook hands. 1t was the first
slave, or rather tresOriere, of the Princess
Mere, to whom had paid my first harem
visit-an important parsonage in this
country, it appears. She came escorted
by a tribe of eunuchs, she in her carriage,
and followed by them on horseback. Aft
or speaking to the different important
persons present she came back to me,
chucked me under her arm, sent the
eunuchs right and left, cleared the way,
and marched off with mel had no idea
where; but saw everybody envied me.
| The doctors wife did her best to follow,
but the chief eunuch unceremoniously
pushed her back and defended the pas
sage. My guide knocked at a door, and
after an exchange of questions and answers
we were admittcd-tO the brides bed room.
She sat upon a sofa covered with gold and
jewels, looking sadly tired, poor thing!
Beside her sat the Bey, handsome young
man of twenty-thrce (brother of my three
pretty girls, to whom he had taught En-
glish). How bored and bothered he looked,
to be sure!
He rose at once, and in perfectly good
French said: "Merci, Madame la Mar
qris, de rotre 81 dmidble cisfte," etc.
had never seen him, and was surprised at
finding he was so much at his case in adj
dressing me, but 1 learned later that he
had been educated in England and in
Paris, and was acquainted with my hus-
band. He presented me to his bride. His
sisters and mother were there. All had
the disfiguring black wafer between their
eyes, and the bride had her brows painted
to meet. Ugly enough, poor thing! par
ticularly when she raised her crossed
eyes; but Emir Bey had married without
having seen her, on his sisters recon-
mendation, the advantage of a good dot,
and, above all, in order to escape having
one of the Viceroy's slaves forced upon
him. But as men may have as many
wives as their fortune will allow in this
country, even this may not save him. The
heat was so excessive, and 1 began to feel
so faint, from want of dinner probably,
that l was very glad when my amiable
guide rose to withdraw. The family very
politely begged me to remain longer, but
on the plea of indispOsition 1 Withdrew, or
rather was about to do SO, when my guide
beckoned me to the end of the room, where
a heavy damask curtain, embroidered with
gold, hid the bed from vulgar eyes. This
she threw unceremoniously aside, and a
wonderful mass of gliding, cashmere
shawls, pillow-cases embroidered with
Koran devices, and all the splendors of a
rich and gaudy bed met my astOnished
gaze. After expressing my admiration,
which was all that was expected of me,
was allowed to withdraw.
Subsequently the three sisters came and
whispered to me that, having heard we
had not dined, the gentlemen were being
RECALLED downstairs, that / was to be
served in an adjoining room, and that they
would dine with me. Needless to say
did not wait for second invitation. At
last was TO see a true Oriental meal! We
had the low, round table; the little cush-
ions to sit cross-legged upon; the little jug
of water, out of which all were to drink
each two spOOnS-One wooden, for the
meats and vegetables, the other ivory, for
the sweets. To cut my description short,
there were at least twenty courses, COM
mcncing with soup, followed by sweet
meat, vegetable mcat-swcetmcat, vcgcta-
bic mcat-to the end of the feast. Shall 1
ever forget il? /, so hungry, and not one
thing ! could swallow Such seasoning!
And then my charming hostess, who FUN
bled about in the dishes like little Jack
pHOrner whSsat in the corner" and present
ed me always with the best bit-somctimcs
touching it toher lips and then giving it to
mewith her fingers. Iwould pretend TO eat,
and, when unObserved, slip the impossible
morsel under my huge piece of bread.
Fortunately this last resource was good
and kept me from starving, and as 1 was
Offered ice a glass was necessary, which
saved me from the gargolette.''
OF course was almost as hungry after
dinner bofora Int really fol ix-aI ~