Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-03-28
HAREM OF THE SHAH
How the Secluded Ladies of the Court Amlse Them
selves. Their Rvalries Intrgues and Superstitions


ing jewels on their own account from
the merchant women who come into
the harem They desired to eclipse
their rivals by the richness of the
fabrics which they wore. Silks of
Resht, velyets of Kashan. shawls of
Kirman could not be too expensive
and fabrics from Europe were not
less poular. Worth, the great Partisan
dressmaker, sells of in Teheran his
special silks, when they are left on
his hands long enough to be out of
fashion. He has a very clever lady
there to represent him, who Is
adored by all the fair of Teheran Of
ten woman who wants to be the
only possessor of a speciality buys the
whole roll at no matter what price.
They have much more tendency to
do this now, for several times a wom-
an, jealous OF the admiration which a
rival had won with costume Of new
material, would buy some of the same
material and have costume made OF
1t for one Of her slaves and then invite
the dear friend" to tea served by
that slave. The rivals qualification
can be imagined.
INSCRIPTIONS doctors and dervishes
freely exploit the creduljty accen-
tuated in these grown-up children by
the passion for maternity, The most
extravagant medicine and Charms are
often tried, purchased at their weight
In gold. II VOLTS gall does not sue
coed the wife will try the swallowing
Of little of the sacred earth from
nerbela. One wife, with whom all
these attempts had been unsuccess-
full, was advised as last resort to
crate every day piece Of brick
which was supposed to be brought
from the tomb of holy Imam and to
take 1t internally after early morning
prayer. She took this prescription so
scrupulously that after a while she
died of it.
Talismans Freely Used.
Among the most highly esteemed
taiismans are the fried skin of a
hyena, monkeys liver, lynxs hair and
the backbone of an owl--not to men
ton the most amazing decorations and
broths, and, OF course, transcribed
prayers which are inclosed In leather
for hanging around the neck and
waist, or invocations and sacred or
cabalistic names written on parch-
ment, which is washed in a cup of hot
water for the ink to dissolve. The
water is then regarded as impregnateS
with the virtue of the words, and
drunk as potion when making a
wish. II one adds a pinch of the
powdered muzzle of monkey--whicl
Is made by charring 1.-THE effect is
much heightened.
| The occupations and amusements of
the shah's wives are restricted and
little varied Like all the rich Per-
sian women. they never use their fin.
gers. Even embroidery and lace
making are left to interiors. Most of
the time is spent in idling and chat
tering, and visiting, always relieved
by kalyans. cups of tea and sweet
meats.
Like their less fortunate sisters,
generally, they have no education. 1t
appears. however, that some of the
wives OF the late sovereign have been
educated. One Of them has the repu.
tation of being lterary--a poetess
She has sung the praise of her mas.
ter in every mood and all the mar
wells OF creation are cited in her
poems for comparison with the king
of kings.
Adopts at Intrigue.
Intrigue is also one of their IA
eorite occupations-intrigue to take
away from rival the favor OF the
king. or political intrigue An In.
stinctive diplomacy is brought into
action in these cases with rare abil.
/ ity. This is why some ambitious
men have recourse TO the help of
their wives. who, by presents and
fiattery, win influential support In the
shah's harem. More than one i'm.
portant affair has been thus brought
to successful conclusion. more than
one favor so obtained.
The women of the harem are child.
ish and easily amused. Marvellous
stories more or less based on the
Arabian Nights" in which the de
tails relating to love are recounted
with inconceivable credulity. the
Ounooneries OF old women. their
! onrlesque limitations. their clownings,
lravish them. One OF these has won
In Tsheran the reputation and vogue
lof an Yvette Gilbert with us. She
tells the stories and illustrates them
herself. impersonating the Characters
OF the romance She initiates with
as much tldeiity the shy attitude or n
blushing bride as the simpering OF a
middle-aged woman, And when a
dragon. devil or djinn cones into
the plot she succeeds in pulling the
skin OF her face. turning up her nose
with string turning her eyelids out
and so on, assuming the most terrible
and monstrous aspects imaginable. A
story told by her Is as much appre-
NaaaM NaaN ~