Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-07-30
Marriages In Turkey.
HON. 8. s. cox TELLS THE WHOLE BEAU.
TIFUL STORY.


The ladies of the United States now have
official authority, as it were. on "Moham-
medan Marriages." s. S. Cox. tour Min.
lister to Turkey has furnished complete
information on this interesting subject in
the July number of the North american
RevieW.
Although polygamY is the law of the land
in Turkey-where free bachelor may be-
come enthralled to four wives. if he de.
sires to throw himself away in that costly
and reckless manner-still, it appears, the
forms of betrothal and marriage are quite
elaborate:
''As soon as the boy Attains the marri-
ageable age his father and mother cast
about to find him wife.
The mother looks around carefully in
all the harems of her 'sset"-that is. the
rooms separately and solely devoted to
Turkish ladies, in the households Of
friends. When she finds damsel that she
thinks would make nice, high-toned
daughter-in- law, the fact is reported, with
full particulars, to the boys father. If he
likes the description, which is the best
photograph he can get, the mothers next
step is to call on the damsel and invite her
to be one of a party to the Turkish bath !;
for bathing parties are as fashionable in
Constantinople as picnics are in Hoboken.
The bath, in fact, is to some extent pic
mic. Cooks are kept busy preparing for it,
and it ends in banquet. The ladies 20
in full dress, attended by servants, and
''as soon as the parties meet. there is a
series of endless compliments" The can
didate for mother-in-law pays special un-
remitting attention to the young girl, who
is the Queen Of the May" on this bath
ing excursion. The bath and banquet
coffee, sherbet and cigarettes, are beauti-
fully adapted to bring out virginia. attrac
tions, both physical and mental, to the eye
Of an experienced wouldbe.mother-in-law
She Knows a good deal about the youna
bather at the conclusion of the picnic
which 'may last three or four hours"
Then she makes second and more de-
tailed report to her husband. If it Is IA
vorable he audits it, she pays visit to thu
other family and ''pops the question"--tt
the girls mother. She always bushes ani
is very much surprised. but feels duly hon
ored by the proposals, and promises to LAY
it before the girls father. IT he consents
the two old governors hold meeting
come down to business, and fix up tn,
dover and the 'shappy day"
The dover is payable half In ADVANCE
The other half is he'd back as sort OF ali
mony for the wife in case Of reputation
In Turkey this precaution is wise one
for divorce is easy, and divorce is under
the painful penalty of remaining single
for six months. During that time the hal
dover is handy for board and clothes.
In the Ottoman Empire marriage fes-
tivities generally begin on Monday ani
last four days. -Four different grades Of
| invitations are sent out for the different
days, beginning with cards to the higF
dignitaries of the place. and ending witt
open doors to all acquaintance. The
bridegroom and the bride. each in the sep
arate establishment of their relatives ant
friends 60 through this ceremony. On thu
| fourth day--the afternoon Of Thursday
the two parties gather in the house where
the couple are to live. the women in thl
harena-lik and the men in the selana-Hk
which means in English, each sex on thei
own side of the PARTITION. Then the dis
play of the BRIDES presents is In order, II
almost as civilized fashion as they do Il
on Fifth Avenue.
But on the morning of this Thursda!
there has been gorgeous procession O
carriages from the brides old home. Ont
of these--a galvanized if not an actually
| golden chariot-holds the bride and thu
other vehicles contain her good clothes
and worldly wealth. When she reaches
her new home the bridegroom has got
there in advance and meets her. He ten
| ders his arm and escorts her into the fe.
| male part of the domicile-where he is ad
mitted on this exceptional occasion-an(
seats her upon throne. Then he retires
holding his head down, and scattering
small coins about him by the handful
while the ladies hasten to cover their faces
with their handkerchiefs, although if these
have been misplaced they take their skirts
or anything else, as the face must be cover
ed in the Orient, at any expense of mere
| feet and limbs.
| After sunset the bridegroom Is expected
| to visit his bride "by the inside door which
leads to the harem." His friends play al
sorts Of pranks to detain him, but he il
| c,nroeod IN no ;,ctY6od ,pdor tho o;ro,, ~,