Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-17
BOURIs REPROVED.
The Sultan of Turkey AdmOn-
ishes the Beauties of
StaV1bOul.

Turk always becomes more piOus dur
ing the Ramazan. The modification
OF the flesh, as it were, reacts upon
the spirit, producinga very jaundiced
condition OF mind, apt to show itself
in what are enormously styled ebulli-
tions of fanaticism. The inner con
temptation by which the true be
lever" seeks to while away the
long fasting hours that are
not given up to sleep does not
engender a hostile feeling toward
the Christian, but it narrows the
views of the son of Gilman until be
imagines that in the departure from
ancient customs or the neglect of re
llgious ordinances is to be found the
real cause of all the misfortunes that
have overtaken the Empire. Believ.
ing, as all Mohammedans do, in the
direct Intervention of the Almighty in
mundane affairs, with awakened con-
science the spiritual rulers Of the
Turks see in the recent triumphs OF
the "Ghiaour" the chastising hand of
Allah for the backsliding of the past.
and would fain depricate the Divine
wrath by show Of repentance.
sUNPTUARI LAWS.
Thus it is that as sure as the Rama.
ran comes round, before it has dragged
half through its weary length there is
certain to be an edict issued by impe-
rial authority directed against some
prevalent practice or the other thought
to be incompatible with due observ
ance of the Islamic faith. 0ne year il
is the nightly visits to the "oafe chan.
tants" OF Pera in which the soul OF
young Turkey takes such delight
against which the shafts of religion
are directed by the secular authority,
and the next it is the growing teuden-
cy Of the Turkish ladies to ape the ap
pesrance Of their Frankish sisters,
which becomes the mark for such
action. At the last Ramazan,
with admirable impartiality,
reproof was delivered all
round. and while the men were ad>
monished for their nop,attendance at
mosque during the day the women
we're informed that long curl stray
ing over the shoulder with fringe
upon the forehead was not the proper
style Of couture for Mussulman lady.
The police were strictly eDjoined to
watch the conduct of the faithful"
to see in the one case that no neglect
was shown TO the "muezzin's" call,
and in the other that no exposure Of
charms took place likely to attract
the attention of man from the higher
thoughts 70 which his mind should be
given.
IAsHMAKs AND FERIDJEEs.
This year it is the style Of dress
which comes in for condemnation. The
"yashmak" is considered too diapban
Gus, the "feridjee" insuficiently form
destroying 10 its cut and the feet GOV,
eripgs far too shapely. The articles
in question in their present style are
looked upon as so many snares set to
catch the thoughts of the unwary and
the "iair lights of the haremp are
hidden to lay them aside under the
penalty of mourning very disagreeable
tKeatment ct the hands Of the police.
TIE EDICT.
The imperial edict on the subject
Was published yesterday As herein
stated it is issued by the Sultan In his
character as caliph and protector of
the "Sheriat" Sacred law, 10 which
the dress fashions in vogue with the
Turkish women Of the present day are
stated to be geriopS infractions. Thick
muslin folds are to be worn In place
Of the gauze wells with which "Saiy-
ghgl" and "Fatima" have been in the
habit OF so s1itening the contours OF
their faces as to dwell in the memory
of the wandering Ghiaour, dazzled by
the lightning flashes Of their large,
dark eyes, as escaped "houris" from
the Mohammedan paradise. The dis.
lgEring "teridjee' is no longer to be
gathered IN al tho vGjat or pgt low at
the bosom 70 show the Rarislan dress
underneath, and the neat French bot
tines are to give place to the hideous
locking 'gemenees,' the baggy boots
Of yelhg Or raJ leather wora by the
women 10 the Provinces where for.
SiRp fashions have not yet made their
way.
THE WILEs OF THE WOMEN.
No doubt this edict will be duly
blazoned forth by the enemies Of the
sultan as an indication of the reac>
tlonary principles by which his for
slgn and domestic policy 10 alleged to
DC ruled. There il, however, really
nothing In n and 4 49,. s,,,,,,io,.a *,