The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-10-10

pose at the head; accordingly. if the |
head is sound there is every hope that
the body will also keep fresh.
The haremlk of the seraglio contains
from l 1000 to 800 women, divided |
among the Sultan's household-thatof
his mother, the Valide Sultana, and
those of the princes.
The vast host of women of all ranks,
ages and conditions. are without eXcep
ton of slave extraction, originating
from the cargoes of slaves that yearly
find their way to Turkey from Cir
cassia, Georgia, Abyssinia, and Arabia,
in spite of the prohibition of the slave
trade. These slaves are sold in their
native land by unnatural relations, or
torn from their homes by hostile tribes,
to be subsequently handed over to the
slave dealers, and brought by them
into tLe capital and other large towns.
All these women are the offspring of
semi-barbarous parents, who seldom
scruple to sell their own flesh and
blood.
An ex-seralli of my acquaintance had
herself offered as many as fourteen
young girls to the seraglio of Abdul
Aziz, after having reared each for the
duties that would probably devolve
upon her. This lady said to me,
What other girl from humble crea-
ture like myself could be so acceptable
to so great parsonage as his Imperial
Majesty?' At the time this converse
ton took place she had fresh batch
of young slaves in hand. They were
all smart-looking girls, designated by
fancy names such as Amore, Fidele,
Rossignole, Beaute, etc. Their dress
was rich, but ludicrous in the extreme,
being composed of cast-otf seraglio
fnery of all the colors of the rainbow;
some children were even dressed in the
Turkish military uniform, which con-
trasted strangely with the plaits of
their long thick h ,ir tied up with cot
ton rags. Their politeness, half saucy,
half obsequious, was very amusing.
On entering the room, they all stood
in a row at the lower end, and when
some jocus observations were made to
them by their mistress a ready and
half-impudent reply was never want
ing. The youngest, about S years of
age, was dressed in miniature colo
nels full unif I'm, on being addressed
by her owner by the name Of pinch,
and asked. will you have this lady's
l tile son for your husband? | mean to
marry him to you when you grow up
the little miss laughed, and seemed
perfectly well acquainted with the
meaning of the proposal, and by no
means blushed at it.
The treatment these girls received
seemed to be very kind, but sadly
wanting in decency, morality and good
principle.
On the accession of a new Sultan 10
the throne it was customary to make
clearance Of most of the inmates of the
seraglio and replenish it with fresh
ones, such as those that already belong
to the household of the new sovereign,
and others further to augment the
number.
\ seraglio inmate, who had herself
enjoyed imperial favor of this descrip-
ton, told me that it was very seldom
that slave enjoyed more than once
the passing notice of the Sultan, a dis
appointment naturally very deeply felt
by those who, after being suddenly
raised to the height of favor, find them
selves consigned again quickly to OBJ
lvion, in which their future is passed
There are many among the rejected
favorites who have sensitive natures
and are capable of serious attachment
and in consequence of the sarcasms the
more favored fail not to heap upon
them, the disappointment they have
experienced or the devourlng jealousy
that unrequited love occasions are said
to become broken-hearted or die of
consumption. Nor" continued my
informant. was the condition of those
more closely connected with the Sultan
such as insured to them perfect happi- /
ness, mental unconcern, or security"
They are obliged to have recourse 10
every art to preserve their beauty, fight
hard against the attacks and intrigues .
of rivals and carefully to watch over
themselves and their offspring.
The real Turkish hanoum, or lady,
Is a dignided, quiet person, elegant, 1
sensible, and often naturally eloquent, |
copdescending, and kind to those who I.
gain her good VIII, proud and reserved /
to those who do not merit her esteem. I.
Her conversational resOrces are GER /
taInly limited, but the sweetness and I
poetry Of the language sc uses, the .
pretty manner IN which her express
sions are worded and the spirited re-
partee that she can command have a /
charm that atones for her limited 7
knowledge. Her manners, principles, /
and choice OF language offer pleasant
contrast to those prevalent among the I
generality and render her society eX-
tremely agreeable