Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-10-29
THE SHAFTS sERAGLio.
An Account Of the Ladies' Who Cheer II
Persian Poptsntate's Hours.

An Account of the Ladies' who Cheer the
Persian Poptentate's Hours.
Without indiscretion, it may be noted
that the denisens OF the royal seraglio
belonging to his interesting Majesty.
who are under the care OF the Koji
Bashi, or chief eunuch and his fellows,
are about three hundred and OF these
three hundred many are children. and
two hundred at least are simply SER
wants. n large number being negresses
Each Office of the Persian court has its
corresponding dignity IN Anderen. Few
additions have been made OF late years
10 the number OF inmates OF the royal
seraglio and IL contains absolutely no
European or male persons over the age
OF eleven. Each royal favorite has her
separa pavilion and h~ staff OF ser.
wants, her equipages. her jewels and
her revenue. The principal favorite
generally has some high-sounding title
conferred upon her as 'srhe Delight OF
the State
The ladies' are never seen abroad un-
velled. save one or two OF the hand
somer or more Eighty OF tho number.
who sometimes. when driving In their
"gIass coaches, pnrposely give
rather liberal display OF horid charms
to passers-by in carriages or on horse
back. The legends of tattooei Greek
Princes notwithstanding. ii IA quite
certain that, ms u rule. no man save the
King enters the royal harem. or. having
done SO. leaves 1t alive. Some years
ago AN unfortunate workman, while en-
gagged In excayating water-course.
suddenly found himself In the royal
hareyi. and nearly died OF fright ac-
cordingly (by the way tho indoor dress
worn by Persian ladies has been de-
scriDed as precisely resembling the cos
tune OF ballet girl, minus the matt
tofiJ but the King. seeing how the mat
ter stood. pardoned him
The means OF getting rid OF those
who have ceased to please Is simple
and yet ingenious. There 10 no sew.
ing up In sacks. no casting from tow
ers. no bowstsing. no poisoning Some
provincial General Is informed that no
will be favored with wife from the
royal harem. TO refuse Is impossible;
the Disguised lady arrives and il placed
at the head Of her now husbands house.
hold. She usually insists on his di-
sorsing his other wives. aud In any
case treats them as servants and infe-
rioSs One old General. who had be-
come the recipient Of one of these royal
favors (the lady led him sad life)
never alluded 10 her but in whisper,
OF course AS the old camel" Beauty
and youth are the few and simple quail.
iheatlons for entering the royal harem.
Various accomplishments, such ms
singing, playing on the hand drum. or
tumhak, the tagnbourine or the harmon
ica are often acquired after tho lady
has been received into the seragllo.
Only tho fresh arrivals and those
who have failed 10 please live together
In sort Of barrack under the super
vision OF the Amin-i-Akdas, an old
fasorite, who acls as sort OF Mother
OF the Maids Every Thursday there
Ia kind OF review. the Shah personal
~ inspecting the whole establishments
other than the recognized wives and
!avoritos. The throwing OF the hand
kerchlef IL no invention, and has not
gone out of practice. Toe number OF
legitasatc wives (or akdi) for eve.y
MussGlman is four The head wife of
the present Shah (who Is his cousin,
also) and who bears the sitle OF Shnko-
es~sus'ana. Ia the great. granddaughter
oil fatteh All Shah, 4 monarch whose
family was so large that 10 of his de.
secndants were alive at his death.
This lady is the mother OF the Crown
Prince. or Valliad. Her marriage with
the Shah was one OF policy. Tho next
vile In seniority is tho daughter OF a
son OF fut,oh Ali Shaw. She Is only
known to rnmor as having somewhat
sharp temper.
The third wife, and the actual fl-
vorite. is Anys-u-DowleL She has
boon u legitimate wife nearly thirteen
years. is very fat. fairly good-lookiug.
and Is said TO be very ood-tempered |
and attractive. She actually accom- |
panied the Shah as FAR as Moscow on |
his first journey TO Europe. but tho at
,empis to see her made by the Russians
OF all classes wore so pertinaelous that,
To her great disappointment she WAS |
sent back 10 Teheran The Anys-u. |
Dowlet has immense influence, aud yot |
she never takes bribo. but her own |
family is we'll cared for, three OF her |
relatives filling important positions at |
the court whore their reputation is not
that OF her royal klnswomau. The
whole family were the children OF n |
village miller, who liyod near Dlmar-
vend, "a nearly extinct volcano. which, |
capped with eternal SHOWS. towers over
Ieheran. and may be seen. Il is said. at /
a distance OF two hundred miles 49,
London Modern Society.
Return OF the Nurse.
And have you left your place."
Qu0rlod the first, as A COMMA mat in