The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-09-18
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BRIDAL PARTY AT THE ROYAL HAnErM

A-A~@HAfA-"Af
Standing on the portico Of the new hotel
at Cairo, and witnessing the constant pas
sage Of cogpes filed with well-dressed wo-
men, one might fancy ones self on the
Bois de Boulogne, but for the accompany
ing apparition Of the armed black guards
who still gallop wildly alongside Of these
carriages~-almost the sole remaining relic
Of the old regime. But the outside view
Of the Gagged birds Of the hareem is not 50
interesting as On inside view Of these
"homes of bliss as the 0rientals politely
term them; and this, happily, II is in my
power to afford your fair readers in the
narrative Of an eyewitness Of the festiyi-
ties celebrated on the occasion Of the dou-
BILE marriage of the Khedive Ismail's son
and daughter at Kasr-el-Alia, the palace
Of the queen-mother at Cairo. The chief
Of these was = bridal-party given in honor
Of the Princess Fatma Ahnem, eldest
daughter Of the Khedivc, on her marriage
with Toussoum Pasha, son of tho former
Viceroy, Said Pasha.
The invited guests (all ladies', Of course, }
both native and European, on alighting
from their carriages were ushered into au
immense garden illuminated by innumera-
bic colOred lamps, and advancing up
long walk P-ved with marble and bordered
by rare trees and plans, were met at the
threshold of the palace by the eunuchs,
who conducted them into the first saloon,
large and handsomely furnished apart
ment. Here they found, clad in splendid
Eastern costumes, the white slaves Of the
hareem, half Of whom were dressed as men,
the tallest being selected for this purpose.
Many Of these were habited in splendid
uniforms, like those Of army officers !;
others, simply dressed, wearing red tar
bouches on their heads, and carrying drawn
swords in their hands. My fair informant
says they were most martial-looking, an
excellent imitation Of the genuine article.
These acted as ushers, and taking charge
Of the guests left the eunuchs in the first
saloon and conducted the visitors into
second saloon, where the native dancing
girls (alneks) executed dances for their
amusement (and perhaps edi6cation) to
the music Of their own castanets and Of an
orchestra composed Of women. Many of
these musicians were lovely white Circas-
sian slaves, who played skillfully on flute
and violin, as well as on copper instruments.
In this room only the native dances were
executed, but in an adjoining apartment
other slaves performed regular ballet
with swords and bucklers or with long
wands.
Passing thence through . number Of
long halls and apartments, in which were
found refreshments Of every description,
substantial or sweet, with those wonderful
sherbets and colored drinks made Of differ
ent fruits which the Orientals alone know
how to compose, the guests were served
either in Eastern or Western style, accord
ing to their nationality of taste. One long
table, presided over by the princesses Of
the royal family, was reserved for the more
distinguished guests. In these apartments
as in the others, the sound of music and
song never ceased.
After partaking of these refreshments
the guests were ushered up n fight ofbroad
steps to an upper floor, whore in a vast
saloon, sumptuously furnished and capable
of containing thousands of persons, they
found the queen-mother, and preceded by
the armed female slaves dressed as soldiers,
were formally presented by name and title
by the European ladies-of-honor attached to
the queens service. After presentation
the guests were seated on divans ranged
along the walls covered with rich silks and
stufs, and witnessed the dancing and sing
ing Of the professionals employed for the
purpose, since in the East ladies enjoy
these amusements by proxy only. After
having danced, sung and played to the
satisfaction of the lady Of the house, the
performers received rich gifts of cashmere
shawls and jewelry in recompense of their
efforts for this purpose the wife Of each
bay or other diguitary invited to the Jets
had brought her present. The distribution
on sign from the queen
mother, and as each gift is bestowed the
name Of the donor is announced aloud,
and chorus of thanks returned by the
recipients.
After this ceremony is finished, the
bride to whom the party is given makes
her appearance in the following manner.
all the Egyptianladies brings ther eunuchs
with them. Each Of these holds in his
hands tall candclabra in which are sew
cral long wax candles Of different colors,
forming long lane commencing at the
foot Of the wide stairway, continuing up
the steps, and terminating at the door Of
the saloon wherein sits the queen-mother;
and through this lane the bride passes to
enter and greet the guests. Over the
whole length Of this avenue is stretched
cloth ofgold, over which the princess passes,
her foot being permitted to touch no mean.
er carpet, rich and rare as arc the products
Of Eastern looms. Preceding the bride
comes a train Of white donseuses dressed in
her liyery-in silver gauze, orange flowers
and diamonds as their ornaments, all Of the
most sumptuous description. The bride
follows, surrounded by her own Woman /.