Connecticut western news., 1877-08-10
A State Reception at the Harem.


 The following extract describes the State reception of the harem of the khedive of Egypt, on the occasion of the recent Kurban Bairam, the great Mahomedan feast of the year: "This morning we went with friend to the harem reception at Abdeen Palace-a modern, square built building, with a large, central court. In front of it the soldiers were drawn up in line, and in the court were black regiments, besides other soldiers, and military band. As we came to the entrance hall some Eastern ladies were leaving the palace. Their flowing drapery was gorgeous in color and rich in embroidery. Their thin muslin veils, which they seemed | merely to hold over their mouths, did not ill the least conceal their features, which were delicate. They startled me by the whiteness of their faces and blackness of their eyes and eyebrows. How the effect was produced could not see, as they passed us so quickly. Coming suddenly into the subdued light of the vestibule with the glowing radiance of the dresses of so many ladies and attendants, seemed like entering a tent when flower show was displayed. We followed our Egyptian friend up stairs-Arab ladies on the stairs and landing everywhere as we passed. The costumes were always brilliant and rich in the extreme; but we saw noth- ing purely Oriental except in the dresses of the visitors who were leaving as we arrived. The ladies of the palace wore mostly long flowing dresses, loose in make, and fastened with sash round the waist. In every case they had tiny turban of the same color as the dress, placed on the back of the head like Parisian bonnet. The hair was almost always gathered up on the top of the head. We passed on till we came to the reception room of the khedive's chief wife. Before entering we heard an extraordinary noise, which proved to be the singing and playing of six slave girls. They sat in row dressed alternately in orange and violet silk, The instruments were, double pipe held in either hand by the performer and placed together on the lips Gas in Fra Angeiico's picture), violin, lute, sort of zither, and two tambourines. Two of these girls were very merry, and some times could scarcely sing for laughing. Their singing and playing sounded like strange, weird chant sung quickly. The khedive's chief wife sat upon a sofa, attired in light greenish satin, embroidered with gold and diamonds. She rose to receive us with much friendliness, and made the usual Arab salutatiOn, kissing her hand and touching her forehead. We were hen invited to sit down, and coffee andt cigarettes were handed round, and we were all expected to drink and smoke. A younger princess, on another sofa, was fair, with light hair, and looked elegant in white satin, ornamented with gold and diamonds. Both dresses were made in the way have described. It was generally remarked that the jewels were few compared with last year. The mistress of the ceremonies | spoke French, as did one of the prin- cesses; otherwise we heard nothing l but Arabic. The rooms were furnished | in French style, with gliding and look ing glasses everywhere; on the beauti- fll Eastern carpets showed Oriental taste. There were two or three pie lures ill one room-French. but of no particular merit. They were hung high as wall decorations. There was no piano, and did not see anywhere a single book, or any other sign of cul- ture. The ladies struck me as pleasing, gentle and digniffed; only one looked ill and unhappy. But for the most part their faces were insipid, and had none of that look of intelligence which cul- tivation lends to the dullest English woman. They all looked very much alike upon first view, having gener- ally dark complexions and short noses. We saw no one as handsome as the lady visitors we met on entering. We stayed about half an hour and then left. When we reentered the entrance hall sherbert was handed to us in gold cups, wrapped in an embroidered napkin.
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