Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-11-18
Life in a Persian Harem.


full tales from that classic fairy realm
of the Thousand and One Nights"
or the songs OF the bulbul and the
rose, as Moore so charmingly poetized
| them.
The lover Of Bible history will think
OF the beautiful Esther who replaced
naughty Vashti in the favor OF the
ruler OF ancient Persia, when "Shu-
shan, the palace" or Susa, 1.-The beau
tiful city OF lilies, was the centre OF
the worlds civilization.
But the traveller of to-day, lacking
the luxurious accommodations Of cos
mopolitan civilization, will be inclined
TO deprecate Persia's fame for luxury.
and will hardly find In few cushions
and a pipe sufficient compensation
for the countless pleasures OF such
| cities as Paris and New York. Never
! theless, in Persia the charm OF novel
ty will atone for lack Of comfort, aud
among the exquisite editices of her
cities the traveller will finger, loath TO
/ depart from their beauty.
The palace of Fatally Shah, in the
city of Teheran, is one OF the most In
teresting to the visitor. This ruler,
who came 10 the throne in 1877. was
an intelligent and wise prince in his
youth, but, disheartened with his non
victorious wars with Russia, he passed
most Of the latter part OF his existence
in his harem. He had 200 wives and
900 children. 1t Is said that his de
scendants to-day number more than
1000 The state of Persia's finances
not permitting the support OF such a
numerous royal family, the poverty
of most OF the princes OF the blood
royal is extreme. Many OF them are
Obliged TO take service as domestics
in the first families of Teheran.
Fatally Shah, the successor OF Aga
Mohammed, who was OF mean APP
pearance and effeininate in manner
was very proud OF his broad should
ers and OF his superb black beard,
which reached TO his waist, and he
had these features reproduced In bas-
reliefs sculptured on rocks all around
the city OF Teheran, and his portrait
is I'm every one OF his palaces.
His favorite residence, the Negaris-
tan, is the finest. IL Is built in the
shape OF Greek cross, with windows
of colored glass at the extremity OF
each OF its arms Between the arms
of the cross are arranged the vesti-
bule and two sleeping rooms. Be-
yonI this first structure are the gar
dens OF the anderoun (the women's
apartments), and sheltering the fair
promenaders from indiscreet glances.
During the visit OF Nine. Dienlafoy,
French traveller, TO Teheran, the
shah persuaded her to photograph
his sisters children. They are pretty
little Persians, OF five and ten years
OF age, full OF pride, and moving with
that dlgniied air that important per
sonage affect.
The little girl is called Massouine
(sacred). She was dressed for her
picture i'm long coat OF garnet velvet,
embroidered with gold; her head was
covered with a chargat (kerchieD OF
green silk, riviere OF large diamonds
fastened just above her temples
framed the oval OF her face, and three
large pictures in brilliants formed
diadem.
Her eyes were surrounded with
large black circles, and the eyebrows
prolonged TO meet over the nose and
run back under the head covering.
On her wrists the little princess wore
superb pearl bracelets, and her little
fingers were loaded with n multitude
OF rings Her brother Hassan was
dressed in koledja OF cashmere, and
white coutil trousers.
Children Ia Persia are not dressed
differently from their elders, but
fashion establishes certain distinc-
ton between the head-dress OF old
and young men. In certain provinces
old men wear the turban In prefer
ence TO the kolab, and in every place
the beard Is stained with henna.
This dye gives most singular effect
to white hair.
1t is very difficult in Persia TO pro-
cure native nurse for n Christian
child. In the first place, it Is necss-
sary TO overcome the instructive aver
sion OF the nurse herself, who would
rather nurse u monkey or a kitten
than Christian child.
a Christian doctor, having lost his
wife, was able TO secure a woman TO
bring up his baby, only through in
fuence with the local religious orders,
and to obtain permission 10 keep her
he had TO make a thousand appllca-
tions. He had, also, 10 pay her one
hundred krans a month, TO give her
silk dress every season, and TO pro-
vide her with maid TO entertain her
and light her kalyan.
The costume Of the nurse IL extra
ordinary, consisting OF a game waist,
pretticoat ending several inches
above the knee, and tight leggings.
Thus attired, a nurse looks more
like queen Of the ballet than a plain
house servant.
The beauties Of the harem wear
white silk handkercbIefs pinned over
their heads to show a very fluffy dark
bang, and all the rest Of their hair
Lang In tiny braids down their backs.
They wear little else upon their
bodies at nome but short India silk
skirts and light chemisettes OF gauze.