The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-14
Mrs. Kenneth Brown in the March Metro politan.

Mrs. Kenneth Brown in the March Metro
 politan.
 HxCEPT for these discontented few, " the great majority of Turkish wom- A en are very proud of their nation ality and of their traditions. And all though I read in magazine articles that their religion is losing it's hold over them, I can only say from living with them and talking to them. that the impression made on me was that they are still as fanatical- ly attached to their religion as the most deyout Catholic or Protestant is to her form of worship.
 The first 12 or 13 years of a Turkish girls life is not different from that of any other girl. She plays with children of both sexes, Turks and Europeans The instant, however, that she becomes woman and takes tchirchaf-the loose out CT garment which conceals the figure her companionship with boys ends. She no longer accompanies her father or visits that part of the house called selamiik' where the men are. She lives in the part of the house called haremlk, and begins her education as a woman. She learns what IS expected LII Hct os S'oe~ff No'- ter. wife and mother. She is not de- priyed of her European friends, nor oi the chance of making new ones. She IS permitted to study and to go about free- ly, although always yelled and atfended. Turkish women, from the time they take tchirchaf, acquire full rights over their property, if any has been left to them. They handle their own money and it would surprise European and American women to know how Tar Iurk- ;sh women are ahead of them in legal rights. Many of them acquire consid- erable business ability, and there are women today who plead their own cases in the courts and also those of their friends who are unable to do so tnem- selves. In the past % years, too, grea' change has come in the age at which thev are married. Today it is rather rare for girl to marry until she Is l7 ond have had friends who were married after they were 20. They are now much better educated than they used to be | and that takes time.
 l If is true that their marriages are "ar- ranged'' for them; but hardly any more l than those of Greek girls, or of Italian | or French girls. But instead of having | to bring a dowry to the man, as Euro pean girls do, the Turkish man settles | a certain sum of money on his bride
 which belongs to her in case of divorce When a young man reaches the suit
 able age his relatives speak to him apou'
 marriage, and if the idea Is pleasant tc him his mother, sister, aunt or other re-
 male relative goes forth in search or
 bride. She visits the various harems ol
 her friends and scrutinizes the girls IT
 them. The latter know the reason o
 this visiting, but there Is no more hu'
 initiation in it than there Is in the call | ing of a young American man on the
 girls of his acquaintance-which is re-
 motelv the search for wife. In eacf case it is a matter of custom.
 Upon the discovery of the right young wcman, the envoy talks with the girls mother. and the mother with her nus
 hand. They investigate the history ant character of the bridegroom, if they dc
 not already know him; and if he proves
 satisfactory he is permitted to pass ane | repass beneath the girls windows. Il
 
 she likes his appearance, he comes ant
 asks her father for her hand, stipulatini
 the sum he will settle on her. and als'
 the manner in which he will provide fo | her.
 Weddings almost always take place oi Friday, the Mussulman Sunday. On Mon | day and Tuesday the trousseau IS eAnip tied, hanging from the be-ribboned rope | in several rooms. Everything Is ther' from the pocket handkerchief to mos
 elaborate gown, and may be viewed b! I anyone who wishes to-even by strangers The trousseau is an extensive affair containing as 1t does. practically liner enough to last her entire life, and { great number of outer garments.
 On Wednesday the poor and the ricl are feasted all day long. Thursday tn bride and her friends have their batl party. If the bride is rich she has he