The Democratic advocate., 1890-11-22
VOL. XXVI.-NO. 9.

only so it strikes the wearer's fancy, and
these women are capable any hour OF
trading off a diamond necklace for taw-
dry, cheap affair, if only snowy enough.
After all these jewels are in their places,
the preparation for the street is made by
putting upon the head sort of headdress
made in the form of Scotch cap, of card
board covered with brilliant satin-green,
red or yellow-and on this are pinned
artificial flowers, all of the brightest
primary colors, and pendant jewels and
coins. Over this is worn the yashmak, or
veil, which is the crowning beauty of
Turkish women, without which they would
be but ordinary mortals.
THE MAGIC VEIL"
This veil is made of two squares of crepe
issc, sheer and fine. Each is folded on
the bias, and one piece is thrown over the
top of the head, the bias fold being
brought down just to the eyebrows and
pinned fast to the back of the head The
other is placed over the lower part of the
face, the fold being brought up close under
the eyes, and the points being carried up
to the top of the back of the head and
fastened there, the ends hanging loosely
The face seen through these misty folds
takes a soltness of outline and delicate
beauty impossible to describe, and the dark
eyes, with their blackened lashes, show in
a striking contrast to the snowy folds of
yashmak, while the vivid coloring that has
been laid on so lavishly shows but family
through the veil, and seen so, with all the
expression a Turkish woman learns to
throw into her eyes, from lack Of any
other mode, it is not wonderful that they
have always been considered SO beautiful
by strangers. In very truth, they are no
handsomer than any other contented, well
fed, careful woman; and as to their form
well, fat is their ideal.
After the adjusting of the yashmak
they only need their frijes, or long, loose,
shapeless, big sleeved wraps, which are
usually of black, though frequently of
pink, green or blue satin, and a parasol as
gay, and white gloves worn with the rings
outside to complete their outdoor costume.
For their feet they wear socks and Con
grcss CATERS, or 90 bare legged, with slip
shod slippers, which do very well in the
house, but are very awkward in the street.
In the house they move very gracefully,
but in the street, and seen from the hack,
there is nothing that can be more awkward
than Turkish woman and rs to form,
she resembles huge black BUG with
white head After the ladies are dressed
they sit and chat and smoke and eat sweets
unrh the eunuch comes for each party.
During "e baths, while different ha-
rems and difteren1A-zmen are brought to-
gether, many weightier qucs;ons are de-
cided than could be believed pG.a;ble in
such childlikc creatures, for here meet tho,
who wish to place their sons or husbands
in Office. and they manage to promise such
and such presents to one of the ladies', who,
perhaps, is Il friend of one of the inmates
to the Grand Viziers harem, or possibly
even the imperial harem, and after that the
rest is an easy matter. The Turkish baths
of America can never compete with the
Aga -Hammam of the Golden Horn for
political Importance, nor as place Of social
meeting nor amusement.