The Washington times., 1907-08-18

the Sultan in n chamber surrounded
by beautiful young women in entic-
ing poses, to one OF whom he throws
his handkerchief as a signal that she
IS his favorite for the day-this story
has no foundation, nor did II ever
have; At least. there IS no, reren-
brance OF such a tradition in the
hsrem. In fact. things are managed
very differently.
The young slaves on their arrival at
the palace are confined TO the care OF
older slaves. called calfas. while the
new arrivals are called alaicks The
calfas assign the alaicks 70 different
duties according to Their aptitudes.
Some become musicians. some singers.
others readers. etc. They hn the role
OF half servants and halr ladies OF
honor.
The calfa teaches the alaick not
only her duties. but dresses her IN
the hsrem fashion. cOifs her hair. in
structs her IN the etiquette OF the
palace, and does all that a woman's
taste ard instinct can do to make her
charge appear to The best advantage.
Gradually a warm attachment springs
up between the preceptress and the
pypil. II the alaiclS die. the calfa Is
entitled 10 her little belongings II
the calfa dies. the Sultan Is tho heir.
and receives what does not remain IN
the rapacious claws OF the mistress
OF the harem.
When the Sultan pays a visit 70 the
harem TO see a <adine, an icbal, or one
Of his daughters. the calfas and al
aicks are present at the reception.
Should the Sultan cast his eye "a
vorahly on one Of the latter her for
tune Is transformed in an instant.
he has only TO remark. Who Is this
newcomer designating the girl he
means, when the grand mistress. al
ways present. makes a sign. The
chosen one advances 20 the Sultan
kisses his hands and the fringe Of tho
chair in which ne Is seated In token
Of her subrnissicu- She rises and Is
now a gueuzle, which means under
the eye"
She imr ediately leaves the recep-
ttcn room and is no longer Undcr the
orders OF her late calfa- She IS given
an apartment or hrr own with nu-
merous attendants 20 wait upon her.
She Is richly dressed and agreeably
entertained while waiting for the lord
OF the harem 10 remember her.
II goes without saying that when the
lord and master fives notice OF his
intended visit that tho bride is pre-
pared for his reception in the most
elaborate manner. not only I'm dress.
bat I'm rt.rson. The choicest baths and
rarest perfumes have been employed
20 make her body pure and clean ss
the blue e5her OF the skies and sweet
smelling as the fragrance of a thou
sand flowers.
II. IN d-,o ts->e rNp can pronounce
traditional sacramental words.
which mean tndt ,-e Is ncurishing a
new life. she becomes a kadine and has
the rank or a prin, 'ss.
When the rumor OF plot circuiates
in the palace. Il is not rare thing 10
see the gueuzle night watch relieved
three or four times In the same even
ing and replaced by others For many
years the Sultan has not slept in the
same room for two nights IN success
sion fer fear OF assassination Only
tic sultan mother knows beforehand
what chamber he will occupy.
When the Sultan expresses no pref
erence for a companion. two gueuzles
chosen by the mistress or the harem-
and changed every day, are assigned
the duty of watching over the I'M
perial sleeper. They stretch them-
selves upon the rich and yielding car