The Osceola times., 1880-08-21
THE EX-KHEDlvE'S HARpv
What Naples Lady Saw on a y,..
Favorite. ns
81. james Gazette


A lady living in Naples, who. sbo-,
before the departure of Ismal pnynrliy
womankind ior Constantinoplp raooas has
an invitation TO visit the Princess Neyed Ted
ecmi Afet. the khedive's fayorite sd ic1-
to the Journal de Geneue an accons Senos
her reception, and a description ~ OF
of the inmates of the Ex.Kbe5;e
Harem. And saws ui'es
Arrived at the villa, nv carriaoo ,,..--,
through the principal entrance p"ssed
stopped before a large iron gate ut Ma
gave access to a staircase. Two foo,Ldn
were in attendance at the two siJoooys
the gate. 1t was opened by a snec;es oi
giant, who, afer having admitted nv VI
closed and locked the gate He salrtal
me in oriental fashion, and, without n,
tering word, led the way up the s.o;v w
case. The women's quarters are on H..
second floor. Here was delivered 'le L'
my conductor TO anotker great tat y
sonage. who showed Inc into palIe,pp p'r'
corridor into which open the cbana VI
of the women. On my entrance / us
received by fifteen female slaves rar"es "s
in two rows, who bowed to the crore1
before me. Then one relieved me 81 Sunl ,l.i
cloak, another took my muff ths.!
my veil; whereupon an extremely lady.
like person, native of Switzerlana
who acts as the Princess internr@,ou.'
came forward and invited me Ia AGO.
pany her to the private appartments ~
Her Highness, which are reached hy
glass-covered corridor. The Prncs.s
who had at her side the Princess Fa;La
one of the khedive's daughters no.
ceived me standing. Tchechmi Afet is.
fine woman, of imposing presence. larca
and strong, and with the port q,
Queen. The Princess does not snaoS
French, although size understand oil
that you say in that language Ua,
saloon is furnished with The preates,
simplicity. Two large sofas upholstered
in gray stuff, two great cushions covered
with white linen. and an immense
round table enveloped in a Turkish
cloth were the only things oriental m
be seen in the room. A few Indifferent
Autographs on the wall, gray window
curtains half faded, a beautiful Garnet
an upright piano, few chairs-this ia
the luxury and magmfcence of which
many stories have been told. Tchechmi
Aiet appears TO be the chief fayorite.
She alone receives visits, the other Prin.
cesses never being seen nor their names
mentioned. Her gown was grenadine
velvet by Worth, with an enormous
train, the bust only being trimmed with
lace. Diamond drops hung from her
| beautiful ears. her hands are small and
| shapely. She wore neither rings nor
bracelets, diamond car-pendants being
the only jewelry she cares for. Princes.
/ Faika wore dress of green velvet
| short that could admire at my ease he,
| fairy-like feet. She Is delicate, pretty
creature, scarcely eighteen years old
with beautiful and abundant flaxen hair
| She is very lively, speaks French flu.
emily, smokes and converses without
gene After we had talked about a our
| ter of an hour seven female slaves en-
tered and and placed themselves in mill
tary order near the door. One Of then
carried large tray covered with a re,
velvet cloth, richly embroidered, ant
with golden fringe that swept the floor
The tray held little gobets for coffee L
| Turque. Another of the slaves carried
8 silver ever, another silver chafnl
dish, and other silver plates. rhe PIN
cess was the first served, | the next
then the others. After the coffee som
exquisite cigarettes were produced. Al
| though we had to talk through an inter
prefer, the conversation was liyel
throughout, and never once tagged. Tn
| Princess takes an interest in everything
! asked her if she did not weary of he
secluded life; il she did not desire TO Sc
the city and the country; if her pei
petual isolation did not make her melar
/ choly.
"0h, no." she answered, 81 am quit
used TO it. | could not act contrary
| the customs of my country. The mer
/ thought of going out unveiled is revolt
ing TO me, and if | were to 90 abou
with my face uncovered people woul
! stare So"
The young Princess can visit the prir
/ cesses without being announced. The
/ alone are permitted 10 see the ladies {
the harem unveiled. Before ! took m
leave Tchechmi Afet and Faika present
ed me with their photographs, signe
with their names in French and Arabic
/ When | reached home / was oyel
whelmed with questions and everybod
seemed greatly SURPRISED when | sal
that / had seen nothing extraordinarl
that | had simply the pleasure Of nal
! ing the acquaintance Of two charmln