Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-03-11

| during the summer mosquito nets OF
Tripoli gauze, spotted with gold, are
suspended by gilt hoops over the
S eoper. Formerly cashmere shawls
serxed as Spreads" for the beds OF
the rich.
| The small round mirror, framed in
velvet, is always at hand for toilet
use, and the laying on of cosmetics is
SO deep that it is named 'face-writ
ing" Turkish women understand
the arts OF repairing the ravages OF
time, and their toilet service is varied
and. effective.
Meals were served on bright brass
trays of various sizes, and piece of
| bread serves as spoon, knife and fork,
so deftIy used that there is neither
spilling nor crumbling about the low
table beside which cushions are
ranged instead of chairs. Exquisite
neatness prevails, and many attend
ants are in waiting.
BATHROOMS OF ALABAsTER.
Every Turkish harem has its bath
rooms, three in number, if the owner
is well-to-do. The first is square,
chiefly of marble lin the Sultan's pal
ace, Of Egyptian alabaster), lighted
from glass dome. A large reservoir
Quilt against the outer wall, with an
opening into the bath, contains the
water, half OF which is heated by a
furnace below it. Hot air pipes throw
intense heat into the room, fountains
lead the water from the reservoir and
here the rubbing process is conducted.
The second room is less heated and
furnished only with a marble plat
form holding mattresses and cushions,
where the bathers repose after the
fatigue OF ablutions too many for de-
scription. Here they smoke cigar
cites, eat fruits and sweets and final
ly wrap themselves i'll soft burnouses
and pass to the other chamber,
where they browse and doze on the
downy couches uill they recover from
the steaming heat and the langour
that follows a long, warm bath.
Besides these, there are public
baths where women spend many
hours i'll gossip and the passive enjoy
ment Of being thoroughly rubbed,
washed, combed aud perfumed.
| once met q famous lady bought
with great price by high official
OF Stamboul. She was Georgian, l
think, with hair of reddish gold-the
sunbright tresses OF Medea-ivory-
white skin. eyes black as death, the
antelope eyes Of the poets. The faint
est line OF antimony drawn on the
lids at the root of the long lashes
added to their lustre and the witchery
OF her glance.
She wore the yashmak, and as only
ladies' We're present l begged her to
remove it, so | might see her un-
yelled loyeliness. She complied
without atfectation or timidity or
blushing, and returned my gaze with
smiling serenity, too we'll used to open
admiration for embarrassment. l
cannot recall her name; it was some
thing which being interpreted might
mean Tulip Cheek. A riviere OF
pearls lay or her neck-snow on snow
and the exquisite mouth was very
Cupid's bow.
My princess must have been peer
less maiden ten years before, now,
unhappily, growing stout, as Eastern
women usually do; the result OF the
luxurious living and much eating OF
sweets. Her manner was soft and
gracious, her aspect the repose of
supreme content.
Ladies of rank are now struggling
into the miseries of French toilet, but
the old Turkish dress is much pret-
tier. A loose, flowing robe OF silk or
Grape wrought with gold and silks,
without belt or tightness to limit its
comfort; nothing better adapted to
their climate can be imagined. The
white veil prescribed by law, without
which no one may appear on the
street or in the presence of man, is of
thin gauze folded bias and placed
ever the head, coming down
near the eyebrows. A large piece
covers the lower half of the
face and is secured to the back hair
by jeweled pins. 1t makes light,
pretty turban which is a merciful
charity to the homely and enhances
the grace OF the graceful not hiding
| the paradise eyes-ah, those eyes !
Well may the minstrels liken their
liquid splendor to the reflection of
midnight stars at the bottom OF well.
And the wells grow thinner and thin
ner in spite Of irmans, issued by the
Sultan and read in all the mosques,
calling attention of heads of families
to this backsliding and violation of
the law of the Prophet.
Often have I been asked, How do
Constantinople ladies employ them
selves? Like others who love leis-
ure, in visiting, promenading, dress
and shopping. Their chief Joy is to
float in a caique to the Valley OF
Sweet Waters, the beauty spot of the
Bosphorus. On Friday-the Mahom-
etan Sunda, hundreds glide by
dressed in brilliant color, mist-like
wells family shading their faces. The
rowers wear jackets OF scarlet, stiff
with shining broidery. An armed
slave is on duty, clad in barbaric
stuffs. Cushions of eider-down, GRIM
son hangings touching the blue wa
ter, make the enchanting picture.
Oh, how it's beauty comes back to me
now?
Their talk with each other is of
their children, the change and in
trigues of the palace, and of dress.
THE TURKISH WOMAN
Does not know the word resro 1sibil-
lity. She has undisputed control OF
her property and time, is able to take
her own part, and by finesse and per-
severance manages to have her own
way.
Speaking through an interpreter
dulls the edge of conversation, and
the merest trifes suffice. Yet, on
thinking over our talk, it does not
seem greatly inferior to the average
morning visit in the land we love to
call our own.
| The seclusion of the harem gives
much time for discussion, and many
| a question of grave import is there
deba ed The women are we'll inform