The Grenada gazette., 1888-03-10
WOMEN OF TURKEY.
Their Lives Not Wholly Devoid Of
Pleasure.
mpIoyment Of Their Time-A Female
Minister and Jpige-fower Of
Some Inmates of Harems-
The Sultan's Mother.

1t seem; TO be quite the fashion to
regard the women of Turkey as al.
most universally subjected 10 the same
kind of discipline As were the poor
wives of Bluebeard. Often have seen
travellers In this land manifest feel.
ing akin to disappointment when told
by an old resident that much Of the
commiseration aud sympathy they are
inclined to bestow so lavishly is vast
ed; that in their ignorance and child
like simplicity these women count
themselves as favored above their
Christian sisters, especially those OF
the aris tocracy, who are so carefully
shielded and guarded; while those of
the middle and lower classes, instead
of being kept under lock and 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 family-as
are those of the same class
in some Christian lands. l have
even seen them at work in the fields,
like the peasant women Of Italy or
Germany. but always in purely
feminine group- l have never yet
seen them yoked with an OK or a dom
key, as we hear Of it in some countries
not under Moslem rule. Here they
are generally employed a: home on
some of the deft needle.work so much
sought for and admired-or, as in
Brusa (the ancient Moslem capitaD
and adjacent districts, they are en-.
gagged in the culture and manufacture
Of silk.
Though always closely vailed and
appearing shy and taciturn when met
abroad, women OF this class are by
nature eminently social and sufficient
ly pugilistic when they fancy their
rights are in a degree infringed upon.
In fact the only listless and really idle
women one meets in this country are
either the wretchelly poor or the in.
mates of the seraglio or some wealthy
pashas harem. The latter, specially
the young among them, complain Bit
terly Of the mouotony Of their life.
Two beautiful and sprightly young
girls--daughters Of high govern
ment official recently discoursed most
eloquently to US OF the delightful free.
dom Of their life when at their sum.
nler home on the BoSIAlorus, Here y
said they, 1--WE can ride on horse back
in the lovely country or row over these
bright waters; and are almost as free
rs other young ladies; soon. though,
when we return 10 our town house, we
can only 20 ont in close carriage or
when wrapped like mummy in a
yashmae or ferezie." Those young
ladies were being educated BY
English and French governesses.
Sometimes. l am told. these women
rebel en- masse, and nearly discard
the close vail or some other ''regul a.
ton" raimen. 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 wiseacres who
ruled here assembled in solemn divan
to discuss the cause Of their decline in
military prowess; and it seems that 1t
must he traced to the fact Of their
women having donned 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
shoul appear in public with her feet
clothed "a la Franka"
! sm told that even in the harems OF
the wealthy the "honoum' (chief
LADY, often spends the morning hours
busiy engaged with her domestics and
slaves in the commonest household
iuiies in order 10 relieve the tedium
Of her life of seclusion. They must
always have The consent Of the lord Of
the household before they can go ont,
even for q short call. or to any Of the
sylvan retreats where they so delight
10 picnic with their friends; but. judg-
in. from the great number Of vailed
women we see abroad on Friday (their
SabblthD or on gala days, we must
ccEc,,Ic such consent is seldom with.