Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-15
Persian Women and Their Lords.

SOME OE THE ADVANTAGES oF TEHERAN HOUSES
odd PERSIAN CUSTOMS.
Ex-Minister Benjamin in New York SUM-
"Every householder in Teheran has his court
yard and tank of water, no matter how poor he
is. Frequently there are three or four court
yards, and there is one called the andaroom,
into which no man ever enters except the
master and his eunuchs. It Is reserved tor his
wives and cOncubines. A wealthy Persian can
have four wives and several concubines. These
other, and are watched with the greatest care.
The wives of poorer men go about on foot, but
all alike are covered with dark blue mantle,
which falls to the feet, concealing the FORM
Over the face is white veil with apertures for
the eyes.
"The rooms have large windows set in richly
yards, and frequently these windows are
studded with colored glass, giving a cathedral
rooms have dirt doors, but they are hardly no.
ticed, for they are covered with mating and
ricn rugs. In one part OF the room there 10 a
sian sits during the day and sleeps at night
Some Of the rooms have tanks in their center,
giving them an air Of luxury. l often wonder
countries. It does not create dampness as the
climate in Persia is very dry. There is sepa-
rate room for the bath, and its appointments
have separate baths from the Mahometans."
What are the daily habits OF Persians?'
o'clock In the morning. They then partake of
o cup of tea and some bread. Tea is q very inn
portant article of diet in Persia, and the tea urn
they sweeten the tea almost to the consistency
or syrup. Tea over, the merchant goes to his
shop, In the bazaar. This bazaar consists of a
hundred narrow streets rooted over with brick
arches, which are pierced here and there to adj
init highland air. The merchant sits in booth
In front OF his store and awaits custom. He
charges a much higher price than he expects
to get after the usual Oriental style. At noon
he makes substantial breakfast in the bazaar,
0c hn 10 <Hfx L.,
he takes nap; About O'Clock be goes home
and taxes ride, returns TO dinner, and then at
about o'clock enters his andaroom. When
once there he is inaccessible except on the most
urgent business. It is q sufficient excuse for
not receiving q caller to say that a man is In
his andaroon: He takes another hearty meal
bed" " ~ 90 ~
I'D. .Do the wives all occupy one room?"
They generally have separate rooms, and by
law he Is compelled to spend q certain amount
Of time with each vile. or course, she can
favor OF another wife. A Persian is rarely seen
walking with his wives, except on the great hoi.
u ersan o. It then
his wives, and the gardens OF the rich are on
that day thrown open TO the public"
How do the unmarried women liver"
"There are no unmarried women, except dis
soute women. Every girl is betrothed before
she si, Is 10 years Of age. A love match is some
are arranged by third persons, although some
times the young man may see the bride before
tne wedding, but that Is rare. He first sees her
iace alter the ceremony, and II be doesn't like
ner he can reject her. Girls go unveiled until
ton except in needlework and embroidery
Iney know nothing except Of what Is going on
lmmediately around them, but Mrs BENJAMIN.,
VINO mas had unusually favorable opportunities
OF meeting them, says that they are clever and
piqnant- Like the Persian men, they are gem
orally handsome. have been able TO observe
This for myself when wells fell OF In the street,
ana Dy seeing the peasant women. who wear
no wells. My wife tells me that their figures
ate very good. The children are handsome,
wild warm brown skins and dark hair"
.AAre the Perstans attached to their wives?"
very easy to be divorced. It Is only necessary
" VINE out paper stating the reasons, and the
snins IL aone, or to say TO the woman three sue
cesslVe times i divorce yOu,' but the husband
muss nave pretext for his action, however
n w,raS !, 4 man sometimes divorces ali four
e 4, any diddculty In securing new husbands
~ ~ 1o dlsgrace to be divorced. There Is an ex-
SMnSSUsnaIy law aoout marriage outside Of the
o11snesy ceremony. which, permits . man and
time. fso,s 20 n marry Tor any specined length Of
couple 60 before q priest and state the time
settled on, and the man then pays an agreed
sum OF money to the woman II he leaves her
~ -. Tue emu o. the liked time she cannot marry
sSnsn aSs year. ana any child born Is the iegit-
Many women o e sns man ana hs cares q 70 4
rag, making the term iifty or sixty year, long.
NY gong 70 they secure their i0inture before
nsn0s ana the husband cannot divorce them
S SnIa tne TIME 10 expired. There are some
rskssS ma ~u.ucssteo ana intellectual women "
Mo women" - - >A'--'-' 49,