The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-04-23
A TURKISH WEDDING RE
CEPTION.


thought-but it proved to be ten
o'clock Turkish, which is about three
O'Clock in the afternoon, la Frank.
Turkish time is reckoned by the sun,
and IS always a problem to people
keeping Frank time; and the Turks,
to be exact, must have their watches
changed every day.
We we're party of eight-all ladies';
no gentlemen must be seen IN the
harenalik, though this reception was at
the house OF the bridegroom. The
sons take their brides to the father S
house, and If il becomes crowded
additional rooms are built.
We found the gates Of the outer
wall thrown wide open. A man ser-
want stood inside to zee tina. all left
their oVershoes in the court. To those
OF 1s who had not worn shoes that
lo9nid bs removed he maze q
dsUrecaiory salRsm, as If to say:
"Your pardon, a'am," and wiped
our shoes witt damp sponge. (hoW
much time and patieace-yes. and
money-our housewives would be
saved if like clearly custom existed
| in America, for | fancy this is one
secret Of the Turkish carpets lasting
for generations; that no dirt from the
streets is ever brought in on them)
We we're then motioned to go up
the stairs and were first taken to the
mother of the bridegroom. who was
seated on high divan, and received
US with many aalaams, but did not
rise. She had on a quilted sacque OF
delicate lsmon-colored satin, lined
and trimmed with fur. thrown over
her shoulders ithe morning had been
rainy and it was still coOl), and her
other garments were made of rich
Oriental stu6s; her head handkerchief
was plain, but decorated in front with
diamonds.
Il young lady dressed in drab silk,
MADE in the latest Partisan fashion,
with feathers and diamond ornaments
in her hair, received US standing.
asked US to be seated and ordered
coffee to be brought 10 US. We sat
upon low divsns which we're built
next to the walls OF the room, and |
are piled with cushions covered with
beautiful embroidery in silk and gold
thread. The coffee WAS brought by
three servants, one bearing the silver
tray with the tiny china cups and
sarfs (holders) of filigree silver, set
with gems; another the coHee-pOt,
which vas silver, and WAS carried In
an elaborate dish hung by long silver
chains, resembling an incense burner.
and the third handed us the cups.
After a time sEeetmeats" were
brought and served with great els'
gance. The water vas 10 gold goblsts,
the spoonholders OF Bohemian glass,
set in silver frames, and the jars tor
the Sweets" equally rich and ele-
CANT. But partaking of the tall is
not easy ifnot TO the "m4nner born"
I had fortunately bad previous lessons
and could do it native fashion. A
goblet of water is provided for each
guest; two spoonholders. one for the
spoons before they are used and one
for suiled spoons. You take spoon,
fill it with tall (which is always
very sweet and delicious,
either made of oranges, citron, cur l
rants, with the seeds ali picked out &
with needle. rose petals, or what is
most delicious, sugar paste favored {
with flowers, Yiolets, acacia. laven- {
ier, etc., take it ali into the mouth, [
place the spoon in the proper holder, 8
lake glass of water and drink until
he tall is entirely washed down the {
throat. This must be done as speedily s
Is possible, however much you may
wish to have the ''sEeetness long {
lrawn out" Il
Weremcined In the roouo sometime, {
bose VINO knew Turkish, carrying on ]
ne conversation. The elderly ladies j
eemed to be assembled here. Many {
II them we're dressed in broosa gauzes !
md ellis, made in quaint, simple /
ashton, but wearing rich jeWels-one /
Vore the .hsndsOmess emerald ring ! /
lave ever seen. While the visiting I
vas at it's height a lady spread her
prayer carpet in a corner of the room, {
With her face toward Mecca, threw a 8
light shawl over her head, and went L
hrough with her devotiors, often '
,oBing her head to the floor. No one
eemed to mind it az all, aud when G
he arose che Immediately io.ned :
gain IN the conversation.
From this room We were conducted
o the room where the bride was to
it in state.
at one end OF the room was a very
high divan, so high SIS to require step C
o climb On to it, covered with satin o
# bright colors. and over it were &
branches Of artificial flowers and tin
ell ornaments, forming qnite canopy. a
The room vas handsomely furnished d
chairs and sofas covered with da-
mask silk, window draperies of the a
ame material and carpet to match o
q color. The ceiling was beautifully n
rescOed u srsbesque patterns. Tne
eats were gradually filled With ele- n
.sntly dressed ladies-silks and satins
With long trains, feathers and dia- t,
nond ornaments iu the hair. Onel
.ress of lemon-colOred satin elabor- g
.tely trimmed with white lace and Il
win flowers, was espeoislIy p