The daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 190?-1908, 1908-11-09

iTho princess recently escaped from the
land Of the Turk, and is now living In
England Her highness. who was the
wife of Prince Samy. the sultnn's neph-
CIV. tells AN interesting story of her life
in one OF the most exclusive houses In
Turkcy-thc royal harem.l
Life in a Turkish harem is an at
tractive theme TO all except those who
have to endure IL. The whispers of
fancy have made free with what Is,
after all, very wonderful institution.
In the popular imagination. 1t is'the orr
entail home of those who only know
the soft vicissitudes of pleasure and
repose. whose every sense of enjoy
ment is lavishly catered for by beau
tiful slaves, skillful to delight. There
IL. however, another and more truly
realistic. more tragic, side OF the pic.
ture; and IL has been my lot to learn
that the life of prisoner is none the
less lrksome because ones captivity
Is associated with gorgeous palace,
or a fragrant and beautiful garden.
spent many years in harem in
Constantinople. My father was the
late Gluridi-Zade Hilmay Pasha, aide
de-camp to the sultan, and general
in the Turkish army. Although close
student of western civilization, he, of
course, had, in a measure, to comply
with the custom of the country, more
especially in country where every
insignificant innovation is gravcly re-
garded as helping to undermine the
dynasty. His house accordingly con
tained its selamlik and its harem.
The selamlik is that section set aside
for the men. and is entirely stated by
male servants: while the harem Is re-
served exclusively for women, and
none but the master, the women and
tae eunuchs are permitted to enter IL.
when once n girl reaches her teens
in Turkey she is required by the in
cxOrable laws OF the Land to take the
yeil:" and from that moment her per
sonal liberty is at an end.
Having gained some insight in west.
ern civilization from my family. whose
views were also shared by my ENG.
iish governess. ] dreaded the taking
of the veil long before the fateful day
was reached. However. as ] have al
ready explained, there was no posi-
bility OF escape; and so at 13 ! found
myself involuntarily cloistered in a
convent
Mine was not the feeling of the nun
who lays the cross to her bosom
spurning the pain and welcoming with
Joy her functions as a bride of heaven
Mine was the shrinking of pure girl
soul from a horrible sense OF impend
ing evil. The future had an inde
scribable terror. ! was well clothed
well fed, incarcerated amidst surround
ines OF silk. satin and jewels. and
waited on day and night by slaves
whose position in life only differed
from my own in a small degree; FOL
while the slaves were recognized al
such. / became slave I'm all hut name
The women of the harem, othel
ihan slaves, have no influence owe
their lord and master. Their sole oc
cupation lies in an unceasing attemp
10 outIival each other. They pas
their languid time in dressing. paint
ing their compilations bewitchin,
hue. perfuming. and receiving visit
from female friends or protesslona
buffoons. The later, with their coars'
jests. their coarser anecdotes and gen
cIal vulgarity. make a sort OF divertise
ment for some; but IL is all very nau
coating To an educated woman.
When the master resolves to pa.
the harem visit. It is the duty OF th'
chief eunuch in some cases TO maxi
an Official announcement, and tn
favorite wife arranges the program 70
her lords delectation. To please hin
is her highest ambition; she has moth
ing else TO live for. She cannot pla,
Vashti, for Esther is ever ready 4
take her place.
IL is the custom in Turkey for mother
W,th eligible sons TO cali upon thcs
who have daughters. The girls ar