The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1903-12-23
A CHRISTMAS DINNER
IN CONSTANTINOPLE

ne Wilc VI lut prOpIlelOT VI the
Levant Times in Constantinople, Mrs.
Laffan-H anly, wishing not long ago to
show to some of the inhabitants of
that city what an old fashioned Eng
lish Christmas was like and incidental
ly to cement valuable friendships for
her husband in certain influential quar-
tiers, sent out invitations for fifty per
sons. There was a curious mingling of
nationalities in the guests responding
Greek, Persian, Turkish, French, AR
menian, Russian, English, American,
Spanish, Hebrew, German, Italian, Al
bantam and one Japanese. Possibly
there may have been more nationalities
represented, but only thirteen different
languages were spoken.
Mr.. Laffan-Hanly's house was situat-
ed in Pera, directly opposite the konaS
of Fuad Pasha. AS the guests arrived,
some on horseback, few on foot, a
few In coupes, but more In sedan
chairs, the faces of the women in the
konak opposite could be family seen
pressed against the kafass, for Fuad
Pasha was one of the guests and none
of his wives could accompany him
Hadji Rassim Effendi was another.
There were two Hebrew bank direct
ors, the Persian ambassador and the
Japanese consul.
The house was built originally for a
Turkish residence, aud three rooms
xxrtfh w nd mis- lA
toe brought all the way from England
The Greek and Armenian ladies were
richly dressed in heavy silks and vel
vets under their fur lined wraps. They
wore a profusion of jewels of barbara
design. These ladies riot in bright colurs
and dazzling effects, and ON this occa
sion were painted red and white and
had their eyebrows blackened. The
other ladies were handsomely dressed
but it remained for the two Jewish Ia
dies to exhibit fine diamonds in ex
travagant numbers.
In such q mixed assemblage 1t was
almost impossible to establish anythins
like sociability, and the poor hostess
grew haggard with the effort. Th'
Turks looked on with preternatura
gravity and bowed with exceeding po
likeness on all occasions. The Persian
image for all the expression on hi
face The Albanian stood in corne
In solitary grandeur. his stiffiy starche'
| fustanelle standing out like a bale
| dancers skirt. The Japanese consu
smiled and bowed right and left wit
praiseworthy impartiality. The Eng
lishmen stood in group, while tn
| Greek, French and Armenian got tc
gether and were soon talking with an
nation, while the word ''parades' fe
from their lips as If money was tn
only thing worth mention. The Rus
sian, Spanish, Italian and German ger
tlemen paid strict attention to the Il
dies. who sat in the two upper parlor
while the men appropriated the mai
room.
Miss Laffan-Hanly, the very prett
daughter Of the host and hostess, pla.
ed Christmas carols on the piano, bl
nobody listened, and 1t was a relic
when dinner was announced. 1t wa
understood that this dinner was to
representative of the Christmas In EN-
land, and so there was a roast OF be-
of astonishing proportions following a
enormous boiled fish on a wooden ira
Two monstrous turkeys and chickf
pie filed the table. with the vegetable
and small things. such as pickle
olives, etc. Everything was put on I
eether save the dessert Wines the
were and pure water for the Turks a.
Persians. m
Al last everybody was seated, u
service was well done by three m'
from the big hotel The Greeks ~
Arneni8Ds bad come ~ dinner ~
they did fall Justice 10 a. THE rest
the guests were more 1rcpmsp''i
had smaller aDDeiiies The aiponp'
bread uley CONSUMED WA asiDppplNl
The Persian Ambassador WAS q
quest ~ honor, VIII ifafN lfaft'
Eaendi opposite. lhe hodj We
orhodOx 1urk NJ ilf Old school lN
pasla vas fhe some pni pr hpf
sonle Bayf W. ~ sifia 'p llf Y'''l
anees, ~ he loob y liiilf Dine AZ a
arsf Lungnr ppasod ipe pipe pff.N
lo.slD fonal0f and ono Nnull NN
i,Sglaoe oneself " > peg hsp9. ~
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