Sharp County record., 1888-03-08
WOMEN OF TURKEY.
Their Lives Not Wholly Devoid of
Pleasure.
EmplOyment OF Their rime-A Female
Minister and Judge-Power OG
some Inmates of Harsms-
The SUitans Mother.

It seems to be quite the fashion to
regard the women Of Turkey Is al-
most universally subjected to the same
kind Of discipline rs we're the poor
wives of Bluebeard. Often I have seen
travellers in this land manifest 4 feel
ing akin to disappointment when told
by an old residend that much Of the
eommiseration and sympathy they are
inclined TO bestow so Lavishlv is vast
ed; that in their iguOrarrce and child
like simplicity these women count
themselves as favored above their
Christian sisters, especially those Of
the aristOeracY, who are 30 carefully
shielded md guarded; while those Of
the middle and lower classes. instead
of being kept under lock md key, are
as free to 90 and come, and, TO labor
for the support Of their lord and mas
ter-to be. in short. the real bread
winners for the whole tamilY-as
are those Of the same class
in some Christian lands. I have
even seen them 1t work in the fields,
like The peasant women of Italy or
Germany, but always ia puasIy
feminine groups. have never vet
seen them y0lzed with IN OK or 3 dOu-
key, Us we hear Of it in some countries
u05 under M0sIem rule. Here they
are generally employed &c home on
some Of the deft ueedLe-w0ril 50 much
sought for and admired-0r. Us in
Brusa (the ancient MosIem capitaD
and adjacent districts, they are en-
gagged in the culture and manufacture
of silk.
Though always closely vailed and
appearing shy and Jacjturu when met
abroad. women Of this class are by
nature eminentIy social and sufficient
ly pUgiIistic when they fancy their
rights are in q degree jnfringed upon.
In fact the only IistIess and really idle
women one meets in this country are
either the wretcbedlT poor OF the III
mates Of the seragii0 or some wealthy
pasha' harem. The latter. specially
the young among them. complain Bit
teriy Of the mouotuuy Of their life
Two beautiful and sprighrIy young
giris-daughters Of high govern
ment oficial-recentIy discoursed most
eIoqueutly to u Of the delightful free
dom Of their life when &c their SUM
mer home on the BosPhorus. Here. ~
said they, s'we can ride on horse back
in the lovely country or row over these
bright waters; md are almost Is free
as other young ladies'; soon. though.
when we return TO our town house. we
can only 20 out in . close carriage or
when wrapped like a.1RudIuT III q
,-,st.aii-,is t.ii-,sths &c -- Or ferezie. Those young
ladies' were being educated by
English md French guveruesses.
Sometimes. I I'M told these women
rebel en- masse. and nearly discard
the close vail or some other sreguIa-
tom raimeut. and little notice IS taken
of it until there IS some scandal
evolved and reported TO the Sultan.
Then the screws are tightened
Long years ago The wiseaeres who
ruled here assembled in solemn divau
TO discuss the cause of the II decline in
military prowessi and it seems that it
must be traced to the fac1 Of their
women having douued the European
high shoe in place Of the low red and
yellow slipper worn by them for long
generations Immediately the decree
went forth that no Turkish women
snouII appear in public with her feet
clothed II In FrankA
Lam told that even IN the harems Of
the wealthy the "h0uoum' (chiaf
LADY, often spends he morning hours
busiIY engaged with her d0mesucs and
slaves In the commOnes5 household
duties IN order to relieve he tedium
Of her life Of secIusjou. They must
always have the consent OF the lord #
the household before they can 20 OUG
sven fox q short call or to any Of the
,vlvan retreats where they 50 delight
o picnic with their friends; but iudg-
NJ from the great number Of vailed
women we see abroad on Friday (their /
.abbutbl, or on gala days we must .
DncIude such consent IS seldom with ]