The New York herald., 1879-08-04
A MODERN PHARAOH.
The EX-Khedive's Personal
EXtravagances.
HAREM LIFE IN CAIRO.
Stories from the Egyptian Nights
entertainments. oo.
CAIRO, July 10, 1879.

CAIRO. July 10. 1872
Those of your readers who have come to Egypt to
winter for its clear skies and bright. warm days.
else led hther simply by thirst for the marvellous
can we'll remember that. 60 where would. every
thing that was handsome or snowy was found to be-
long to the Khedive. They have generally gone of
impressed with the idea that for good for ill., he
was the main spring. and ordered thing for his
own comfort. glory ar aggrandizement. l well re-
member driving with q friend and after passing
number Of immense palaces, which had pointed
out the property of the Khedive. finally
asked "Well. where does he livep This was
difficult question, three four palaces were
always kept in order and the chances that
he might sleep at any one of them. only his imme-
diate attendants knowing where he would pass the
night and that few moments before he enters his
carriage to drive of. change in the wind or in the
temperature might lead him to imagine himself un-
comfortable. or probably he might become very
ilal and implore the hospitality Of his mothers
roof-particularly if his numerous family had not
been duly submissive and had rufied his temper. /
fear that the dear old lady would not be looked upon
as peculiarly sensitive upon family morality. For
her such an occasion was one Of great triumph. She
had to try to gain some lasting advantage Coffee
was served by the most charming of her women;
the preoccuped failed to notice the beau
tiful odalisques. another would present cigarettes
third bringing small tray Of grapes while
fourth held lighted coal in pair of delicate silver
tongs. Thus quite number would pass in review
before the modern Pharaoh.
THE FAscINATIoNs OF THE PALACE.
If he showed himself proof against this
battery of beauty they gave way for the moment
to music and the dance. few Of the best dancers
would be called to wake the Lord Of the Harem to
thoughts of this world If he noticed any Of them
simply saying to his mother. What pretty girl!
and asking q few questions about her. she ap-
pointed rdlet de chdn,bre for the occasion and
charged to watch over her new lords slumbers. On
taking leave of his affectonate parent he might
possibly deign to remember the least Of his slaves
and beg that his mother would send the pretty girl
that waited on him to the palace. That there might
be the old Lady would send one of her head
women or else her chief eunuch to inform the
kehia chief of the harem-generally disagree
able old woman-of what had passed and that she
trusted to her to make all smooth for her
young protege. The kehia would take into her
confidence that OF the wives she especially
wished to honor. They hold council arrange the
newcomers apartment, see about her wardrobe and
for the while will be most amiable. 1t is always
delicate point First of ALL the young lady is to
be warmly supported by the Princess mother-a
very serious matter; next. she may become
favorite-much serious So it is we'll to secure
her dependence and make use Of her prestige while
it lasts. Should it have been simply evanescent
fame and she prove unable to bind her lord with
sken eters she will still be cared for treated with
gradually diminishing respect until it is evident
that there is nothing to be either hoped feared.
when arrangements viii be made to find husband.
Should. the other hand, it become apparent that
there is possibility OF her being long in the
land HIS Highness must be informed. She retains
her apartment. is treated with great distinction
until the birth Of her child. after which she will
be duly provided for given house and servants,
but sent out from the harem. When old enough
her child will be taken from her and brought the
harem going from time to time to visit his mother.
Sometimes the mother dies. probably poisoned.
either by order else through jealousy. In this
the child will be adopted by one of the wives.
LIFE IN THE HAIEM.
The constitution of the hareln is somewhat sincu-
lar. In the first place the word "harem" simply
means discreet or secret. and the apartments de-
voted to the of the women known as the
harem-lik, while the other and smaller part of the
building. set apart for the men. is known as the
selam-lik. place of salutation His Highness the
Khedive has four wives. who are generally spoken
of by their numbers-the First Princess. the Second
Princess, Her Highness the First Wife. once
legal document evidently translated from the
French into the Arabic and then back into French
1t was deed of sale Of q palace to the first three
wives. "The agent of His Highness the Khedive the
wise dispensator, acting in behalf Of and with the
consent of his master. did convey and sell for the
sum of 81, 100000 to Her Highness Gamat Achat
Hanem, the pride and ornament Of her the glory
of woman kind, first most worthy and faithful wife
Of His Highness, the Khedive. sage dispensator to
Her Highness Moar el Mahal. the pride and ornament
of her SEX the glory of kiad second most wor
thy and faithful wife OF His Highness the Khedive
sage dispensator" Then on again with the name
and titles of the third ornament OF her 1t was
rather long paper: 1t was produced in court before
she tribun OF the Reform, at Alexandria. There
several judgments against this same palace,
the Khcdive decided to sell it to those mighty danes.
The contract was antedated 80 AZ to cover the
OF the Judgments; but, oh. fatal clause Toward
the close OF that interesting document there was
clause by which the agent OF His HgLness, acting
rated those high and mighty danes from the pay
mcnt of the trivial compensation set forth tho
consideration. Strange to say tho internal gaours
and infides who presided over the court refused to
accept that document u valid deed of sale, saying
that it fraudulent. The Turks were dumb
foundered with smazement. Moslem court would
have passed that a most regular document, and
example of the munificence OF the wise dis
pensator.
While the subject or the harcm II would be we'll
to go through with the subject and thus show why
much room is required in the shape OF palaces.
As have said. His Highness lsinail Pacha had one
mother and tour wives to say nothing OF the moth
and mighty danes had her own establishment, con
sisting OF about four hundred slave girls, to say
nothing OF the proper number OF eunuchs for com
munication with the outer world Each princess
her suite occupied u separate building, rather
part the collection of buildings, which here
goes by the Of palace sera There is always
n connecting gallery. Most OF these women are
simply the slaves OF the Princess. and given
at time of her marriage, or may have been pur-
chased afterward. By the law the master OF the
house has not the right to see them unveiled; the
ladies not always very particular this point.
AN
any one of their attendants due regard for the
amenities OF lite would cause the girto be sent 10
bear lord his handkerchief. which he accident
ally forgot. Aftcrward she would be treated as I
have before said, ii sufficiently interesting to capti
vate the fancy and fix the attention OF the pacha,
and become favorite Ltre; she would be loaded
with gifts and treated with the greatest kindness by
all the wives; only she must never forget to gvo
them the pas and to treat them with due Difference,
aud, should IL be necessary, intercodc for them
possible; but above all. to look out for
interests OF hor immediate patroness. Naturally
ouch of the wiyaa tries To the eaIne van.