The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-30
THE TURKISH HAREMS
MRS. LEW WALLACE OPENS The
DOORS OF FORBIDDEN ROOMS.

Shady Gnrdons Where Nightingsies Sing
and Rushing waters Cool the Air-rurk-
i,h Women and smctics-Bath Rooms
Of MISUNDERSTANDING tho Time.
Trio word hareu means tho holy or sancti-
ned, and in general sense Is given to any
spot REGULARLY hallowod. was long while
learning that the name applies TO the spacious
inclosed court about mosques; not barred
prison but consecrated ground, revcred as u
sanctuary. However blank ana bare the re-
mainder OF the house may be--and usually IS
tho forbidden rooms are well furnished ac-
cordIng to Moslenl fancy, IL which Is copied,
ns far Is possible, their ideal paradise-an
adorable palace with thousand windows,
ard before overy window a sparkling foun-
tain.
FREQ Light, abundant sracc, shady gardeus
whore the nightingale sings among tho roses,
and rushing waters cool the air. These arc
the luxuries which foreshadow tho golden
pleasure fields kept for the faithful by tho
hours.
Toe women, old and young, assemble in
the sacred rooms, with tie children and at
PENDANTS, and they ore tho center Of tho
world TO tho housekeeping Turk, who cares
nothing for travel and never emigrates His
spare time and money are spent there, and
! tho wife ia, II tho tender Arabian phrase,
the keeper Of ber husbands soul.
Turkish houses arc much alike. The ell
trance is through double door, largo enough
Tor horses end carriage. Beyond It IS
| -o..oor, cst-~oudaH llo n cote ,-hs,b
| hides tho vestihule, or court, when the
street door opens. Two outside staircsses
sppcar. one leading TO the mems apartment,
the other 70 the womens. at the first land
| ing tho visitor finds the black aga or guard
before the door OF the apartment TO which
only one man is admitted, and which is fer
| hidden 70 the sigLs and thought or all mon
save that one.
There is no special place to cat or sleep in.
A low diyan, running round tho wall OF each
room, IS made bed by night, the clothes
Being kept in presses by day. In imperial
| palaces the coverets arc OF Lahore stufis, en-
| broidered with colored silks interviewer with
pearls and turquoiscs, the sheets are Of fine
cotton barred with stripes OF silk like satin
ribbon The pillows have silk and gold, and
during summer mosquito nets OF Tripoi
gGuDe, spotted with gold, ara suspended by
gilc hoops over the sleeper Nothing gayer
or da.atier can be imagined Formerly
cashmere shawls served as spreads for tue
beds Of the rich.
| The small round mirror, framed in velvet,
is always 1t hand Tor toilet use: and the lay
ing on OF cosmetics is so deep that il IS
named face writing" Turkish women
understand the arts OF repairing the ravases
of time, and their toilet service IS varied and
effective
livery Turkish harem has its bath rooms,
three Ia number, If the owner is well 10 do.
Tho first Is square. chiefly Of marble in tho
saltan's palace, OF Egyptian alabaster),
lighted from q glass dome a large reservoir
built agains. the outer wall, with al opening
into the oath. contains tho water, hals Of
which il heated By Il furnace below H. Hot
air pipes throw intense heat into the room,
fountains lead tho water IRON tho reservoir.
and here the rubbing process is conducted.
The second room Is less heated and furnished
only with Il marble platform holding mat
| trcsses and cushions, where the batherB re-
pose after the fatigue CT additions too many
Tor description. Here they smoke cigarettes,
| Fat fruits and sweets and finally wrap them
selves in soft burnOuses and pass 70 the outer
chamber, where they drowZe and doze on
dowuy couches TIL they recover from tho
SCANNING heat and the languor that follows
long, warm bath.
Besides these, there ara public baths where
women spend many hours IN gossip and the
passive enjoyment Of being thoroughly
RUBBED brushed, combed and pertumcd.
| once met farIous lady bought with a
great price by high official OF Stamboul
She was a Georgian, | think, with hair Of
reddish gold-the sunbright tre5ses OF Medea
ivory white skin, eyes black as death, the
antelope eyes of the poets The faintest limo
Of anthony drawn on the lids at the root OF
The long lashes added 20 their lustar and the
witcnery OF her glance.
Sne wore the yashmak and, as only ladies
were present, begged her to remove it 50
migbs soe her unveiled loveliness. She COM
phed without adectation OF timidity or
blushiug and returned M gaze with smiling
serenity, too well used 10 open admiration FOR
e,nbarras smcut. | cannot recall her name,
il was something which being interpreted
MIGHT mean Tulip Check A riviercr %
pearls lny on her neck-snow on saow-and
The exquisite mouth was very Cupid's bow.
Ny princess must have been peerless
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.
The seclusion of tho harem gives much
time for discussion, and many question OF
crave import is there debated Tho women
are well informed in politics, fond os i'll
trigue, and so arttul that our missionary, Dr.
Dwight, Of Constantinople writes: Amy
one who has private scheme 10 advance, a
policy to develop, an ofico 10 gain or 70 keep,
a boy to provide for. or an enemy TO crush,
sends his wife TO the harem or grandoe.
Women here bring about tho most astound-
ing results.
Their manner is ceremonious during for
nal calls, and they still kiss the hem Of the
garment 81 Difference 70 age or superiority.
IL familiar places they have a awees frank.
moss like unframed young girls, and listen
with interest 70 accounts of our ways OF liv-
ing how we keep house, do great charities,