The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1877-01-18
BEAUTY SOLD ATAUCTION
How the Harems of CONSTANT
nOple are Recruited.

- -
How the Harems of CONSTANT
nOple are Recruited.
A correspondent of the Paris
Gaulois describes a recent visit to
slave sale in Constantinople. Not
outstanding the nominal abolition
of the slave trade in Turkey,
through the efforts of the civilized
European Governments, it still con
tinues in a furtive way. AS long
as the harem exists, this trade will
exist.
This sale was in house. All the
windows facing the street were
closed. The correspondent accom-
panied an Egyptian friend and his
valet In a carriage to the mosque OF
the Sultan Mohammed, at which
point they turned into narrow and
complicated streets, which finally
became impossible. They alighted
before a pile of mud which could
be crossed only on foot. Reaching
the house, they were introduced in
10 the selamlik, or chamber reserved
for male visitors. Here they found
the slave dealer standing, short
pipe in hand. He was a little old
Tripolitan, Gassirgi Messoud- Aga,
by name. He has followed the
business for forty years. After the
customary salutations, pipes and
coffee were offered, and taken with
the silence usual to Orientals before
a,y business TRANSACTION.
An ebony young eunuch soon en-
tered and whispered in Messoud's
ear. The latter made sign of &C
quiescence, and, turning to the
guest, said: "Bouyouroun" permit
me- The guest rose and followed
him into a room of the harem. A
long divan, about foot and half
high, and four feet wide, surround
ed the three sides of the chamber,
an excavation in the wall held the
cushions AMI coverings used at
night. The floor was covered with
mats and loose pieces of carpet
Upon the diyan were seated, side
by side, two white girls from Cir
cassia, in the dress of their country.
Opposite were three other women,
one of whom was white, from
Georgia, and the others black,
All arose as the visitors entered.
One of the Circassians seemed
scarcely IA. Sh e had bright chest
nut hair, long, dark eyelashes,
which shaded eyes of liquid blue; a
light well rounded form and regu-
lar features, overcast with melan-
cholly. She was a beauty of the !
first class. Her companion, aged
Is, was slightly less beautiful, but
vas performer on the kemendja
Or Turkish violin. In addition she
vas recommended as good co ok
'eamstress and washer. Her
brown hair fell to her knees.
She looked at the visitors coolly, }
md fixed her eyes on the Egyptian S
With an expression that seemed to a
Isk him to purch ase her. I
At sign from Messoud one of !
he black girls disrooed the Circas-
ian S. This was not complicated
roc ess, as their dress was simply
tunic, pair of trousers and
hem Use. The younger seemed dis .
ressed. the other simply fixed her n
yes upon the floor, Messoud passing A
is hands over them, called aUten V
ion to their good points, and made Il
hem show their regular pearly q
eeth. He dwelt also upon the
trict decorum of their antecedents. Ii
After an examination of the a
Georgian, and a glance at the black .
iris, the party returned to the :,
elamlik to close the bargain. The h
oungest Circassian was quoted I'll
200 pounds Turkish, the elder at 81
80, the Georgian at 120. The y
egyptian found them too high q,
riced, and took one of the black a
iris COR SO pounds. He simply OF
-anted house servant. The sale I'll
eing completed, the party were "a
gain served with pipes and coffee, 80
nd left the house. NJ
The preliminaries to this were
Onducted with great caution. The Ia
alet of the Egyptian was sent the ".
ay before to announce his masters m
esire, and Messoud Immediately &C
anne to the latter to assure him lu
IF that all was right by personal &C
lspection of his customer. AS -
lere visitor to the harem would a,
ave been eyed askance. the CORES Gu
Ondent was introduced as Tahir In
ey, Syrian gentleman, who wish y
l to take a chambermaid home ~
it'll him. a
4,
Tho XUaAAsnar Pine %