The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-09-08
LIFE IN 4 PERSIAN HAREM.
HOW THE LADIES or THE SHAFTS
COURT DRESS AND LIVE.

pers : How Persian children and
Nurses Are Dressed.
To the untraveied, Persia il name
which recalls vaguely some wonderful
tales from that classic fairy realm of the
" Thousand and One Nights or the
songs Of the buIbul and the rose, as Moore
so charmingly poetized them.
Tho lover OF Bible history will think OF
the beautiful Esther who replaced
naughty Vashti in the favor Of the ruler
of ancient Persia, when "Shushan, the
palace or Susa, " the beautiful city Of
lilies" was the centre Of the worlds civ
ilization.
But the traveller OF to-day, lacking the
luxurious accommodations of cosmopoli-
tan civilization, will be inclined to depre-
cate Persia's fame for luxury. and will
hardly find in few cushions and pipe
sufficient compensation for the countless
pleasures Of such cities as Paris and New
York. Nevertheless In Persia the charm
OF novelty will atone for lack OF comfort,
and among the exquisite edifces Of her
cities the traveller viii snger, loath 70 de-,
part from their beauty.
The palace OF Fatally Shah, in the city
OF Teheran, is one OF the most interesting
the throne in 1897, was an intelligent and
wise prince in his youth, but, disheart-
ened with his non-victoriouy wars, With
Russia. he passed most df the iIatter part
of his existence il. his harem. He had 700
wives and 900 children. II is said that his
descendants to-day number more than
5000. The state OF Persia'A finances not
permitting the support Of such numer-
fSfIa ia In ha Att ~ nj
the princes Of the blood royal ID extreme.
Many 81 them are obliged to take service
as domsstics N the hrst families Of To
heran. @ HIN sss9.lssitsss8fg ssssss4 8s
Fatally Shah, the successor Of Aga Mo-
manned, who was OF mean appearance
and effeminate In manner, was very proud
OF his broad shoulders and Of his superb
black beard, which reached to his waist,
and he had these features reproduced in
bas-reliefs sculptured on rocks ell around
the city OF Teheran, and his portrait Ii in
every one Of his palaces. $50 MI
His fayorite residence, the Negaristan,
IL the finest. It Is built In the shape OF o
Greek cross with windows Of colored
glass ct the extremity OF each Of Its arms.
Between the arms Of the cross are ar
ranged the vestibule and two sleeping
rooms. Beyond this first structure are
the gardens Of the anderson 1.-THE women's
apartMente) !, q large seprtain separating
them from the biroun 1.-THE mems apart
menta), and shelteriRg, the fair prpnenad-
ers from indiscreet chances. ..,.
During the visit Of Nine. Dienlafoy, a
French traveller, to Tekefah, the shah per-
suaded her to photograph his, SISTERS
children. They are pretty little Persians,
Of hye and seven years of age, full Of
pride, and moving with that digniAed air
that important personages affect.
The little girl is called Masculine (sa-
cred). She was dressed for her picture in
4 long coat Of garnet velvet, embroidered
with gold; her head was covered with q
chargat (kerchief) Of green silk, a riviere
of large diamonds fastened just above her
temples framed the oval OF her face, and
three large pictures in brilliants formed a
diadem.
Her eyes were surrounded with large
black circles, and the eyebrows pro-
longed 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 multitude OF rings.
Her brother Hassan was dressed in a
koledja Of cashmere, and white cohtil
trousers.
Children in Persia are not dressed diff
ferently from their elders, but fashion
establishes a certain distinction between
the head-dress OF old and young men. In
certain provinces old men wear the turban
in preference to the kolah, and in every
place the beard is stained with henna.
This dye gives a most singular effect to
white hair.
1t is very difficult in Persia to procure a
native nurse for Christian child. In the
first place, it is necessary to overcome the
instructive aversion of the nurse herself,
who would rather nurse a monkey or
kitten than Christian child.
A Christian doctor, having lost his wife,
was able to secure woman to bring up
his baby, only through influence with the
local religious orders, and to obtain per-
mission to keep her he had to make a
thousand applications. He had, also, to
pay her one hundred krans month, to
give her a silk dress every season, and to
provide her with maid to entertain her
and light her kalyan.,
The costume OF the nurses is extraordi-
nary, consisting Of gauze waist, a petit
coat ending several inches above the knee,
and tight leggings.
mus attlred, nurse looks more like q
queen Of the ballet than plain house
servants
The beauties Of the harem wear white
silk handkerchiefs pinned over their heads
to show very fluffy dark bang, and all
the rest Of their hair hang in tiny braids
down their backs. They wear little else
upon their bodies at home but short India
silk skirts and light chemisettes of gauze
Since the shah's last trip to Europe he
has made all the women of the "ande-
roun" shorten their skirts, so that those
they are wearing now are hardly half
yard long. The princesses also adorn
their heads with marvellous artificial
flowers, and cover their arms with beau
tiful silver bracelets set with coral, pearls
and turqu9ises.
What He Was Crying For.