Litchfield enquirer., 1880-05-06


 THE ADVANCED TURK-The Advanced Turks" as they are sometimes called, do not do much for the improvement of the nation The advancement is only externally, for, with pleasanter manner a heater style of dress, and fluent conversation Gin French), the ad- vanced Turk has also adopted the vices, ex- travagances, and follies of the immoral Ei- ropean. Some have imbibed passion for play, and lave ruined themselves aud fam lilies in single night Others fall willing victims to the well-practiced arts of women who 'avowedlY make their fortunes at their ex- pense, and who hardly allow their features to be seen without fitting and costly offering, increasing in value for every successive favor. Such is the ordeal the young Turk has to pass before he can prove himself of worth. He has more to unlearn than to learn; time will show whether he will outlve the almost uni versal rum and degradation ofevery noble sen- timent in this corrupt city. No radical ref ormation has begun. There are no solitary examples of continuous effort Tightening the gloom. Christianity is mocked at by the ed- ucated Mnssulman; you may destroy his faith in the religion of his sires, but he will never sincerely adopt yours In an arguement on this subject you will be surprised to find that the Turk will put you to silence. He will tell you you know nothing of God-God is God, and he will shake his head at any clearer definition. You will find he gives to Prov ldence unceasing control of affairs, and that these decrees are unalterable. RtSmst Git is written) is to the Turk the Alpha and Omega Of life-nothng can be attempted against that almighty fiat Preach to him the Gospel, and he will adroitly ask you, "Why are you so rich, if Jesus Christ was poor? Why do you do exactly the contrary to what He taught ?" file himself will tell you that he prays devo ly at the stated times prescribed by the Proph- ct; he drinks no wine; he takes but limited number of wives during the sacred fast he eats nothing from sunrise to sunset, (and this for 40 days ) he is studiously clean Tn his per- son; till the European taught him, he did not cheat, or lie, or steal. And this is all true, and you will be made to feel that this religion, (though on lower plain) is the religion of the nation, and is practicable and practiced, while yours, though f1awless cone of moral ity, exists on paper alone, and stirs not the heart of the mighty multitude bearing the name of Christ We may consider the advan- ced Turk in a transition state. Some of his social habits have changed for the better: his manner toward Christians is more cordial; he does not regard them as "dogs;" is willing to admit the superiority of their laws, IS anxious to profit by their mechanical skill and indus try; but the Oriental habit of procrastinaton, and thinking over' a matter till it is forgot ten, are the real stumbling blocks in his road. Turkish houses are furnished with large divans, upon which the master of the house curls him. self up, smoking his nargileh (kind of pipe), receiving his friends or visitors without nov ing from his place, merely giving kind of salam. and motioning his friend to take his seat beside him. Here they will sit and con- verse for hours, refreshing themselves from time to time with tiny cups of black cotfee Turkish houses boast of no beds, nor do they possess washstands, nor, sometimes, even chairs. A Swiss friend of mine Ga governesS in the harem of. perhaps, the most enlighten, ed young Turk of whom have heard) beg ged over and over again for wash hand ba- sin of ordinary dimensions. She was expec- ted to repair to the eegantly-buit bath room and perform her ablutions in the presence of the slaves and harem women, who. may re- mark, have not the commonesi sense of pro- priety, or the least vestige of the delicacy of their sex. The basin was promised more than 10 or 20 times. My friend remained nearly year in the Pasha's harem, but it never arrived. d.-TempIe Bur.