The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-12-26
A JEALOUS BEY
What Came of a Doctors Visit
to an Egyptian Harem.


to an Egyptian Harem.
DR.. Edward Warren, in his forthcom-
ing book, "a Doctors Experiences in
Three Continents, gives the following
amusing account of his professional visits
to a harem in Egypt, and the jeal-
ousy caused by his politeness to fair
patient:
Icame near being the cause of di-
vorce on one occasion, by simply doing
that which l considered to be demanded
by the laws Of common politeness. Twas
sent for by ar old Bey of wealth and in
fuence to visit the youngest of his four
wives-a hazel-eyed Circassian-who
was suffering from stomatites, produced
by the use of henna, a substance in COM
mon use among the women of Egypt for
the staining of their nails, teeth, the
soles of their feet. etc. | found her
seated upon a divan, covered with a
hobdrrah, and as a special privilege
was permitted to introduce my hand be
meath its folds and to feel her gums.
Prescribing to the best of my ability,
under these Instantaneous circura-
stances, promised to return in few
days and bowed myself out Of tile apart
ment.
On my second visit, by some accident
left my dragoman at home, and found
on my arrival at the Bey's residence,
that its master was absent. The eunuch
received me very graciously, however,
and conducted me to the apartment of
his mistress, where found the patient
awaiting me. The fair invalid was un-
usually complaisant, expressing much
pleasure at MY visit, chatting gaily
about her malady, and gradually remov-
ing her veil until she had uncovered her
entire face, which l thought perfectly
right, as her mother was present, and as
it enabled me to examine her gums, and
to make proper application to them.
She then ordered coffee and cigarettes,
which | accepted in the best Arabic that
! could master, and made myself as
agreeable as possible, though not getting
beyond few commonplace expressions
taken from the phrase-book
| was delighted with the manner in
which l had been entertained, and de-
parted, rejoiced in the conviction that /
had made good impression upon the
invalid, and had secured the family en-
perqaane'sce as friends and patrons.
At an early hour on the succeeding
morning received message from the
Bey to the effect that his wife had gone
to the country for change of air, and
the sum of fifty francs in return for my
professional services. Assured at once
that something was wrong, 1 sent
| Achmed around to present my compli-
ments and to ascertain the difficulty.
He soon returned, looking as pale as
ghost, and frightened nearly out of his
wits.
.'Oh, Doctor" he exclaimed, as he
entered my office, the Bey is terribly
angry with you. He is going to visit
the Khedive to complain that you have
| insulted him and to ask for redress. He
says that you shall be driven out of the
country for the great outrage that you
have perpetratcd in his house on yes.
terday. You are in serious trouble.
am sorry that was not with you.''
Il was as polite and respectful as posi-.
BILE on yesterday. | conducted myself
as gentleman and physician in every
way. OF what does the old fool com.
plainp'
HE says that you have violated the
Mohammedan law-that you have of.
fered an insult to the eligion and the
customs of the country, and he swears
/ by the beard of the Prophet that you
shall be punished for it. He has already
punished his wife.
Punished his wife? What does it all
meanP"
His wife uncovered herself before
you, did she notp"
Eyes, but 1 had nothing to do with
her uncovering herself. She did it Of
her own volition. What have done,
should like to knowp"
| 'You looked at her face; you saw hel
mouth and the back of her head.
| OF course. But how could l heir
seeing her face and head when she un.
covered themP AS for her mouth, it is
what wanted to see. Was there any
crime in seeing what was before my
eyes-in looking at what l was sent fol
| to treat?"
Eyes, Doctor, according to the Mo
hammedan law, it was crime to looh
at them, and especially at her mouth
and head. You have defiled her by gaz
ing at them, and have placed your life
even at the mercy of her husband
"A crime to look at her face! Defilec
by seeing her mouth and head! Wha
was to do when she uncovered herself
and exposed them to my viewP"
sit was your solemn duty to turn YOU
back upon her and then walk to the cor
ner of the room and hold your face I'M
til she had recovered herself That i.
what our law and customs demand I'M
der such circumstances; and it is for no
doing that precise thing that the ole
man is angry and is going to report 20,
to his highness."
"Well, let him report as soon as h,
pleases. His Highness has lived il
Christian countries, and he knows tina
to turn ones back on lady is an offens'
that no gentleman would think of com
hitting. l am not in the least alarmed
But you say he has punished his wife
What has he done to herP"
''Oh, yes, he has punished her.
heard both her and her mother wailing
and the eunuch told me that the Be-
had said to her: 4 divorce you, taUice
and had ordered her to her countr,
place on probation for six months, whel
he would decide whether or not to max
the divorce absolute, repeating it tn,
third time. Nothing but the prayers o
her mother has prevented him from
divorcing her at once and absolutely"
Then come with me, will pay hin
visit, and, after having explained m,
conduct, having shown him as Chris
tan and gentleman that l could no
turn my back on a lady, l will interced
for the poor woman.
.sAll right, Your Excellency; thinl
that is the best course topursue.
drove at once to the house of tn
Bey, where | was met by the eunucl
with many salaams, professions o
friendship, and the assurance that hi
master was not at home. THAT is al
right, said l. slipping a ten-franc piec
into his itching palm, Il will await hi
return was Immediately invite,
into the house, given cup of coff' Q an,
q pipe, and overwhelmed with polite
ness, while the master was produce,
after so brief a delay as to assure M
that he had been at home all the time.
Talk about French politeness! 1t i:
no more to be compared with that of ar
Oriental than a mustard seed TO pump
kin. The old Bey was as suave and OBJ
sequious as if ! had been the Khedivt
hivneo1f Alkh~,xr~h he ~,xx,,,y1 !, ~ hoo -