Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-07-31
Living in Turkey.

Living in Turkey.
Of all eastern customs and habits, how
little is known of the inner life of the Sultan,
of his ways of living, of the harems as own
ed by the rich pachas, and of the dominant
influences of Prince Backsheesh.
Owing to the nature of the institution our
knowledge of harem life is entirely derived
from the visits Of European ladies. The
Turk is commonly believed to be sort of
Bluebeard. 1t is not SO. Polygamy is not
the rule, but the exception. The lower
classes never have more than one wife and
it is only in the cnse of wealthy pach;.s that
there are three or four wives, the latter
number being legally allowed to every
Mussulman according 10 the Koran :" this
IS exclusive of almost any number of slaves
and concubines. The husband must have
no acquaintance, however sligh with women
other than those ofhis own harem; and should
ne observe slippers outside Of the harem
door, he knows that ladies are visiting and
therefore cannot enter his own house, Then,
again, if perchance he strolls through the
bazaar, there must be no recognition of any
OF his own women, although they may be-
most lavish way OIL silks and Jewels. He
must not say word. and so strokes his
beard and passes on with an "Inshalahn
Please God), or 'Allah Kerimn God is
great and merciful), for now he knows only
too well how the money goes! European
ladies are the object of much attention and
curiosity on the part of the women of q
harem. Their dresses are felt, they are
paved all over, and asked childish questions
lncessantlyi for it must be remembered that
large harem consists of wives and domcs-
tic slaves, the latter counted by hundreds.
A young English lady, seventeen wears
old, OF great personal attractions and en-
gaglng manners, some time back visited a
harem accompanied by her mother and
friends. The women questioned her and
would not believe that she had mo child
rem, or even husband" One of the wives.
who took a great fancy to her, threw her
arms round her neck and entreated her to
stay with them forever She could have
any husband she liked, and even was so
kind as to especially recommend her own,
adding that she was sure he would soon
want another wife, and that She the real
wife, would much rather it was this nice
English girl, as then there would always be
the pleasure OF having her as friend and
companion. Here was most decided offer.
A firm refusal, however, of these honors
caused much surprise and disappointment
Turkish ladies are very illiterate and in
very few cases are able to read even French
novel, They live very quiet and happy
life on the whole, much Of their time being
taken up with visits, excursions to the
sweet Waters and dressing. 1t is asked,
well, what about marriage; there must be
md
as in other things, they have their own pecu-
liar mode. The process of courtshin IS m
known among them The matrimonial nego-
tiation is carried on by woman of mature
age, or by the mothers on both sides who ar
range marriage by visiting some desirable
young lady at the baths They chat and ex-
patiate on the good looks and accomplish
ments OF the young man proposed, and all is
done. The tiance never sees his wife until
she lifts her veil in the bridal apartments.
The lady is often more fortunate, as she
takes care to have look at the gentleman
through the small apertures of the latticed
window, or in some other manner, when he
least expects it.
Inc Sultan never marrleS. The mothers
of his children are styled Sutanas. and have
separate establishments; but as they have
been slaves they are not permitted to sit at
table with their own children, although these
very children are princes and princesses
Abdul Hamid has only four children, and all
by one wife; but even she dares not sit
down in presence of the Sultan's mother, but
must stand before her deferentiallv. The
mother of a reigning Sultan-the queen
mother or Sultana Valideh as she is called
is the first lady in the empire and always
treated with great ceremony. She has un-
limited influence. Her position is UNIQUE
and her power in the affairs of the state is as
great as that ofthe grand vizier himself: often.
indeed, the appointment Of the latter is to be
attributed to her intrigue and fnesse. The
Sultana Falideh is at the bottom of every
scheme, and dominates her sovereign son to
such an extent that every pasha courts her
favor. A great scandal and an amusing
scene took place when the Empress Eugene
visited Constantinople a few years back.
Being anxious to recognize all the kindness and
attention paid to her, her majesty at a farewell
| interview actually kissed the Valideh on the
cheek, looking upon her in the light of a sistt
sovereign. The queen mother was much excited,
and flew into towering passion. Here was a di-
rect insult from giaour. She took to her bed,
refused food for four and twenty hours and had
several baths before she could consider herself
purge1 of this enOrmty, this terrible stain; and
this old bigot, probably herself born a slave,
thought herself too good, forsooth, to be saluted
by the beautiful Eugenic consort of one of the
most powerful empcrors of the continent of
| Europe.
One word about the slaves Although the pub.
lie slave market has been abolished since the time
of the Crimean war and the trade is now contra
band, the system Of providing them is carried on
with the greatest ease and winked at by the au.
thoritics. So long Us there are harems, so long
must these establishments be supplied. The mer.
chants bring them from Circassia, Georgia, and
from Tripoli. Those from Circassia fetch the
highest price. and it is generally from this race
that Sultans wife is chosen. At certain seasons
whole caravans arrive. and the pick of them will
be handed over to some high Turkish lady who
makes business of the matter and acts Us inter.
mediary. She trains and educates the girls. and
at the fitting time makes her bargain. A hand
some Circassian will fetch hundred and fifty
dollars, and when thoroughly educated thousand
dollars may easily be asked and obtained.