The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-31

Glimpse Into the Apartment. OF One who
Was Cast Out OF the Royal Hrrem-Her
Startling Indoor Dress Her Convcrrn-
tion and Occupntions-Goasip at the Bath.

Glimpse Into the Apartments OF One who
Was Cast Out OF the Royni
Startling Indoor Dress Her Convcr-n-
tion and Occupations Gossip ut the Bath.
noSi ne queen.
Sacred from the eyes Of ordinary visitors, gen.
orally built at the back OF the house. and possess
ing n small courtyard Of its own, is tho Andcrnn
the apartment devoted by tho Persian TO his
womenkind. Here the upper class women live
In their little world. ana, narrow though 10 he.
they would not exchange IL for any amount of
Western liberty. They wish for nothing better.
So far from being Gagged birds pining for free
dom, n life of wider scope and activity would be
eminently distasteful to them. Love, fine
clothes. Jewels. and plenty Of sweetments are
the Ingredients that form their happiness. In
Turkey and India the harem doors are being
gradually opened TO progressive ideas; but In
Persia. the land Of rctrogression ami decay. no
corner of the purdah has as yet been lifted.
Strictly yelled and debarred from all inter
course with the opposite sex excepting near re-
latives). Persian women nevertheless %contrive
to influence political affairs In no small degree.
The most Jealous apostle and preacher ofthe
Bah was a woman, and the late Shah's mother
was a person Of much political Importance
through her energy and diplomacy he came to
the throne. There is, however. plenty OF female
society. and much time IL spent in paying calls,
attending funerals and weddings. and the bath;
this last is q general meeting place. where the
gossip of the neighhorhood is exchanged and
characters receive no gentle handling.
A man OF wealth places the charge OF his
harem in the bands of eunuchs. who regulate
the household expenses, see that undesirable
visitors in the shane of dervishes and fortune
tellers are excluded. and do their best to keep
In allegiance that, spirit of intrigue which Is as
the breath In her nostrils to every Persian
woman. Formerly. women convicted or lnfl-
deity were horribly punished. and the matter
was left in the husbands hands. but cases are
place in which I fived a woman was buried
alive, and the populace appeared to think 1t a
just punishment. 1t is the Shah's royal pre-
%rogative to inspect every. mans harem. and a
visit from the Asylum Of the Universe " Is q
any one of them finds favor with the monarch
she is transferred to his keeping. which is con-
sidered promotion in her eyes.
When / first knew her. the Khan's. wife
reigned alone as mistress OF the Anderhn.
up the full complement allowed BY the Prophet.
She had come from the household of Nasr.ed-
Din, but had not long enjoyed royal favor. and
worthy of such a mark or honor. She was bet
ter educated than any other Persian woman Of
and possessed a good figure. but plain face.
which last was probably the reason Of her dis
large rooms Of the Rhan's palace s'if'V was dee
livered into the custody OF a Seedee slave girl.
who received me at the Andernn door,
into the presence OF the khanum herself. She
was seated in a divan OF Jump, silk-covered
lady, which at first sight is somewhat startling.
under, the arms. and with hanging sleeves,
opened in front over a thin muslin vest, a loose
e ciEslss of ,f tliF Gip: studded sHS tr with tS,.q dsnsn en-;
a silken skirt 'bouffante, and short as a
ssllss f,5l'; that t9 Wom iais ,E Shss ,n l,spsd .Ds !
at the knee): while her shapely legs,
INNOCENT q covering, terminsted in boot;
had occasionally seen her in her carriage. she
presented n very different appearance; the short
s MboIs w rerse stuffed ss1e in1o HG iS ' rS1,sr ,s sn T6d her ;
blue. striped, with gold, which covered every
part except her eyes. Her face was. Of course.
beauty. which declare that woman's face must
be white and red and hen eyebrows as a single
many pretty compliments motloned me to a
me her kGiiGn water pipe Of bohemian glass.
i inquired how she liked Bushire, and a gesture
Of Le 5d hands de ef prSss ed contempt for OIL her r pres pres
ran: that was the place wherein, to live. with
It's gardens; mosques. and magnificent baths.
departed giories, lived in the royal palace: /
had slaves and horses. Jewels too. and as for my
with disdainl. by comparison, is the stable of q
s sns r a.bs, te If Sno sy mR RG Sna an sn wss ys ss s6nss du 81
amy amy s asnea ia an nsp / am mn h eTe''' was no longer OF
Have you any child rem :" KNEW the Khan
had two sons. tiny. grave-eyed mortals. who
took their airing near the tennis ground. A
bitter look came over the painted oountenance.
No. | had a boy, beautiful AS Mejnoun. strong
limGed as Rustam' but he died, and now l have
The bitterness was explicable: a childless
Easily y d IN s@Sii S SSHpe shs was w ' mot n mithonit aR hape IS
and explained the methods of using certain
charms. invaluable IN such cases. 4 piece Of
delicate embroidery lay on q carpet near, ana |
Msr aoias' No, inSssd; @ssalexesk va:
women performed all manner OF hard labor,
even as the peasants in this country? The
II it pleased me / could hear her sing. Had /
any jewels? she Examined my solitary rirg
N witH interest, AND wdn Isnan,pg Shs that i al was not not my
tho others, Jewels enhanced the value OF
women in mems eyes. They were also a conso-
The Khanum's religious convictions were
vague as those OF other Irhni women. Allah
pented the Kebleh profession OF faith and wor.
shipped nj the shrines ot holy men. When she
grimago to Kcrbcrla and be buried by the tomb
of the salntei Husain, \ future state did not
come within the range NJ her philosophy. The
large room mad long doors or windows opening
on. the yeranda, whence II flight OF steps
led to the roof, the meeting place in hot
weather: It was scantily furnished. but the
carpets; soft heaps of cushions, with ancient,
looking chests. seemed the only furniture, and
the walls were hung with curious cotton dra.
peries printed with pictures, histories OF ccle-
brated, characters, together with u few gaudy
cOlOred oleographs.
Refreshments were served by a very pretty
giri-sweets,. cakes. and coffee, muddy, brown.
and sugary. in tiny glass cups, decorated witha
portrait OF the shah. Then my clothes and
handkerchief we're spTinkled with altar OF roses,
which smell haunted mo for weeks. on my
leaving. the Khanum expressed a thousand re-.
grets. Might she be ny sacrifice, she said, but
my presence had il!umined her life, and bend
ing low she laid my hand against her forehead.
AZ the outer door. a servant waited with
n tray loaded with fruit and sweets, and COW
ered with n silk handkerchief, which no carried
behind me to my house n ua,I OF esteem aid
respect from the eI-wife OF Nasr.ed-Dln.
Not OF n Humorous Turn.