The people's messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 18??-1???, 1895-11-20
GIRLS IN THE ORIENT.
Account ola Visit 20 Their Glass
Rooms in Corstantinople.


Quite as interesting as the Turk
ish harems we're three Turkish girls
schools which I saw 90 Constantine
pie, thanks to the efforts OF the same
girl interpreter With whom visited
the former says a writer IN the New
York Post
The first school, the largest Turk
ish one for girls in the city, is a shah
by building In the heart of StamUul
Albeit my guide had come provided
with a permit Ga order TO facilitate
matters, the Turk who guarded the
entrance let Us IN only after long de-
liberation and remoustrance, and on
our way up the rickety stairs we
we're stopped by various teachers,
who likewise asked the object Of our
appearance and looked at our per-
init. These examinations satisiae-
torily passed. we were welcomed
with great warmth and shown every
consideration. The lady principal
Of the school being ill, we We're
taken charge OF by the head teacher
the daughter Of a pasta, who UNI
fortunately spoke only her mother
tongue. She had a delicate, most in
telligent countenance and answered
all my questions rapidly, except
/ those IN regard 70 the school curric
ulum. It would take from three to
four DAYS, so she said, TO give me
the desired information, which would
have to be written out.
Escorted by a body guard Of in
terested teachers, we made the round
Of the classrooms. The first floor is
given up chiefly to the primary de-
partment, which comprises four
ffths Of the girls. The whole build
ing is Of a most primitive kind, yet
the rooms we're far better lighted
than is often the case with schools
/ in more civilized countries The pu-
pills, varying in age from five to
thirteen years, all looked uncommon
ly clean and neat, and, although they
belonged exclusively to the poorer
class, I failed to detect a torn or
frayed garment among the whole
number. They we're, however, notice
able for dullness Of expression. Some
wore very gay, others equally dark
colors, and all were engaged In study
ing primers or writing on states.
Common benches far outnumbered
the desks. In one room o middle
aged Turk In European costume,
with q fez, was giving a lecture on
physics 10 quite large class OF pu-
pills whose ages averaged fourteen
years. These girls, like the teach-
ers, wore full national costumes Of
every color-that Is, q feradje or
cloak, and piece Of cloth or muslin,
which covered the head and shout
ders. None was yelled. One Of the
scolars was catechlsed for my edih-
cation and illustrated what she said
by drawing circle around cross
on the blackboard. What this sig
nlhed ] could not make out, nor could
the interpreter obtain satisfactory
explanation.
On the second door, where the sd-
vanced pupils we're, we were taken
into 90 elegantly furnished room In
which sat Turk In Turkish costume,
and q young woman, the man princi-
pal and o candidate for q teachers
place, whom he was coaching for her
coming examinations. In another
room we saw the embroideries made
, BY the pupils, most Of whom we're
attending classes in the other rooms.
One was class In geography, which
/ was asked 10 question. They could
tell me the European capitals and
knew something Of Asia and Africa
but although they bad been study
ing geography for several years, all
: they could tell me Of America was
, that It was neither very warm nor
{ very cold there. The study Of
E America aAd Australia will be in
Z cluded In the next two years course.
r The girls varied in color from Cir
. cassian white TO ebony black, for nc
J color prejudice exists. All the
s scholars bring a lunch with them,
e which they eat at tables on the
D ground floor. Recreation hours are
r spent indoors, Notwithstanding thai