The diamond drill., 1890-02-15


than Mt the priceless jewels of great
size and purity which they wore on
neck, arms and fingers. In the harem
as we'll as In the sultanas' palace the
orthodox Ottoman garments are worn.
although when the ladies go out, which
they always do Ia carriages under
escort. more modern styles are effected.
Victoria Augusta sat on an exquisitely-
upholstered divan and chatted pleas
antly for an hour with the sultanas.
while ebony-skinned Nubian slaves
waited on them with refreshments. She
had a glimpse. too, of some OF the
amusements OF the harem. and the
sweetest singers sang and the finest
musicians played for her qualification.
Like others who have been privileged
with a glimpse OF the inner life OF the
sorgalio, she noted the indolent luxury
OF the women, their love OF friends and
their passion for knowledge concerning
the outer world.
She received the impression that n
majority OF the women were compara-
lively happy and contented with their
surroundings. ambition aud the quail
ties that belong 10 higher intelligence
being found among the sultanas only.
Some OF the latter, she discovered.
were In no wise behind European
Indies In education and feminine ac-
complishments On taking her de-
parture each sultana rendered her
Gift OF some rare jewel or precious
trinket 20 the guest
That the sultan was charmed with
his fair visitor was undoubted. Dur
ing her stay ut the capital he was
devoted and constant In his personal
attentions. and his gallantry In seeing
TO her comforts was fully appreciated
by the emperor He gave her per-
mission 10 build n Protestant chapel
at Bethlehem-a boon often asked aud
as often denied 20 others he even
pointed out fitting site for IT, While
he showered presents on others, TO the
empress his gifts were on "A scale OF
princely magnifcence. She received
from him diamond and pearl clasp
for MANTLE rich carpets and great
quantities OF silks and oriental stuifs
aud hangings. To the emperor he
gave sword inlaid with precious
stones In the hilt four jet black
arabian horses with covers OF such
workmanship that they are almost as
valuable as the animals themselves. and
IN enormous supply OF cigarettes.
These latter were sent on board the
kaiser's own ship. Just previous to
her departure for home AT the same
time there were sent 10 the vessel
many beautiful presents for the serv-
ants OF the royal pair and whole
wagonful OF the famous sweets OF the
harem"-the delicious fig-paste. the
secret OF whose manufacture Turkey
alone possesses.
In displaying her presents to her
friends the empress rarely fails TO tell
the laughable story OF her adventures
with the ladies OF the padishah's capi-
tai. when they become jealous. believ-
ing her new accession 20 the sultan's
establishment. No one loves more to
hear the tale than the emperor him
self. whose grave face lights up with
humor as the empress relates how she
offended the amour propre OF the
Moslem ladies'. and came near scan
dlizlng all Islam by sitting In an
open carriage and allowing the COM
mander OF the faithful To touch her
hand and look on her fair. unveiled
face.
One afternoon, shortly before his
departure for home. the emperor Wis
ited tho famous mosque OF the dancing
dervishes and occupied box at one
OF their religious ceremonies. A band
OF oriental musicians rendered music
that sounded jarring aud barbarous to
his ears; long litanics were chanted by
single dervishe3 and the responses
were made by n choir OF young
dervishes. Emperor Wilhelm re-
mained for an hour M interested spec
tator. and when he left contributed n
handsome gift to the treasury OF the