The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-03
Temple Bari

lACmpiS ohi'1
The "Advanced Turks" as they are
sometimes called, do not say much for
the improvement of the nation. The ad
vancement is only externally. for, with a
pleasanter manner, neater style of
dress, and fluent conversation Tin
French), the advanced Turk has also
adopted the vices, extravagances and fol-
lies of the immoral European. Some
have imbibed a passion for play, and
have ruined themselves and families in a
single night. Others fall willing victims
to the well-practiced arts of women who
avowedly make their fortunes at their
expense, and who hardly allow their fea-
lures to be seen without a 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
outlive the almost universal ruin and
degradation of every noble sentiment in
this corrupt city. No radical reforma-
ton has begun. There are no solitary
examples OF continuous effort tightening
the gloom. Christianity is Knocked at by
the educated Mussulman; you may de-
stroy his faith in the religion of his
sires, but he will never sincerely adopt
yours! In an argument on this subject
you will be surprised to find 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 Providence
unceasing control Of affairs, and that
these DEGREES are unalterable. Kjsmet
Git is written) is to the Turk the Alpha
and Omega of life-nothing can be at
tempted against the almighty fat 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 ex-
actly the contrary to what He taughtp'
He himself will tell you that he prays
devoutly at the stated times prescribed
BY the Prophet; 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 forty
days.; he is studiously clean in his per-
son; till the European taught he did not
cheat, lie or steal.
And this is all true, and you will be
made to feel that his religion, though on
lower plain, is the religion Of the ma
ton and is practicable and practiced
while yours, though a fawless code of
morality, exists on paper alone, and stirs
not the heart of the mighty multitude
bearing the name of Christ! We may
consider the advanced Turk in transi-
ton 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 industry; but the Oriental habit
Of procrastination and thinking over" a
matter till it is forgotten, are the real
stumbling-blocks in his road.
| Turkish houses are furnished with
large divans, upon which the master of
the house curls himself up, smoking his
nargileh (kind of pipe), receiving his
friends or visitors without moving 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
coffee. Turkish houses boast Of no beds
nor do they possess wash stands MOI
sometimes even chairs. A Swiss friend
of niue, governess in the harem Of
perhaps, the most enlightened young
Turk Of whom have heard, begged over
and over again for wash hand basin Of
ordinary dimensions.
She was expected to repair to the ele-
gantly-built bathroom and perform hel
ablutions in the presence Of the slaves
and harem women, who, may remark
have not the commonest sense Of pro
priety, or the least vestigeof the delioacy
of their sex. The basin was promised
more than ten or twenty times. My
friend remained nearly year in the Pa
sha's harem, but it never arrived.