Barbour County index., 1908-10-28

THE princess recently escaped from the
land of the Turk, and is now living in
England. Her highness, who was the
WIG OF Prince Samy, the sultan's neph-
ew, tells an interesting story of her life
In one of the most exclusive houses in
Iurkey-the royal hareml
Life in Turkish harem is an at
tractive theme to all except those who
nave to endure it. The whispers of
fancy have made free with what is,
after all, very wonderful institution.
In the popular Imagination, it is the ori-
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
is, however, another and more truly
realistic, more tragic, side of the pic
ture; and it has been my lot to learn
that the life of prisoner is none the
less irksome because ones captivity
is associated with a gorgeous palace,
or fragrant and beautiful garden.
L spent many years in a harem in
Constantinople. My father was the
late Gluridi-Zade Hilmay Pasha, aide
de-camp to the sultan, and a general
in the Turkish army. Although a close
student of western civilization, he, of
course, had, in measure, to comply
with the custom of the country, more
especially in a country where every
insignificant innovation is gravely re-
garded as helping to undermine the
dynasty. His house accordingly con-
tained its Selamlik and it's 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
the eunuchs are permitted to enter it.
When once a girl reaches her teens
in Turkey she is required by the in
exorable laws of the land to take the
veil;" 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
lish governess, / dreaded the taking
Of the veil long before the fateful day
was reached. However, as 1 have al |
ready explained, there was no possi- |
bility Of escape; and so at 13 1 found |
myself involuntarily clustered 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 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. l was well clothed.
well fed, incarcerated amidst surround
ings of. silk, satin and Jewels, and
waited on day and night by slaves
whose position in life only differed +
from my own in small degree; for
while the slaves were recognized as
such, became slave in all but name.
The women of the harem, other
than slaves, have no influence over
their lord and master. Their sole oc.
cupation lies in an unceasing attempt
to outrival each other. They pass
their languid time in dressing, paint
ing their compilations a bewitching
hue, perfumiig, and receiving visits
from female friends or professional
buffoons. The later, with their coarse
jests, their coarser anecdotes and gem
eral vulgarity, make a sort of divertisexI
ment for some; but it is all very nau-
seating to an educated woman.
When the master resolves to pay
the harem visit, it is the duty of the
chief eunuch in some cases to make
an official announcement, and the
favorite wife arranges the program for
her lords delectation. To please him
is her highest ambition; she has moth
ing else to live for. She cannot play
yashti, for Esther is ever ready to
take her place
1t is the custom in Turkey for mothers
with eligible sons o call upon those
who have daughter The girls are