Semi-weekly herald., 1913-01-13


! in the selamlik, where he is joined
by the members of his family and
receives intimate friends even in the
presence Of his females. However, in
the poor families this almost vanish
es; for there the husband and the
feminine members of his family inter
mingle freely during the entire day.
1t is rare that Turkish husband
accompanies his wife in the street
She usually goes alone, with her chill
dren, companion, or servant. A poor
Turk is often an exception; but even
he walks on the opposite side of the
street. To guest, especially to a
stranger, Turk will never speak of
! his wife or of his daughter, and con-
siders it an insult if he should be
asked about his wife's health. In
his conversation he avoids mentioning
her name as much as possible. But
if he is absolutely compelled to speak
| of her, he will make use Of some
evasive expression and say "our fam
ily," or "our house," but never my
wife.
1t is natural that Turkish woman
under these conditions has remained a
luxurious greenhouse plant, for whom
there never was left any other in
| spiration than to please her husband
| All her attention is confined to ro-
mantle subjects. That there could be
| other interests for women besides the
| family and romance remains incon-
| cievable to her. Although she never
| has to think of earning her living,
| and even does not need to take care
| of the housekeeping, yet she shows
hardly any interest in art or litera-
| ture, and nothing to speak of in the
| social or political questions and gen.
eral education in which her western
sisters are interested. She never sees
in her husband companion, but a
master. The terms in which she ad'
dresses him are more respectful than
tender. OF course, there are eXcep-
tions WIN the wife is of royal blood
and the husband of inferior descent.
How important is the secretacy Of
the harem to a Turk even in our
civilized age is shown by the follow
ing incident:
When, as heir apparent, the present
czar of Russia made a tour of the
Orient, he was received with great
pomp by the sultan of Turkey. After
having entertained his guest lavish
ly, the sultan proposed that he shonld
ask for anything he wished. The
czarovitch smiled and asked for a
glimpse of the imperial harem. The
sultan, bound by his word, granted
the exceptional favor, and accompa-
MED his guest into the most sacred
institution of his empire. AS the
pretty Sultanas passed the czarovitch,
he was particularly fascinated by "a
beautiful Georgian girl and expressed
his admiration.
''Do you love herr" asked the sui
tan.
sSSho is truly adorable!" exclaimed
the admiring ezarovitch.
The next morning special mes
scnger of the sultan brought to the
Russian heir apparent golden cas-
ket, and in it, lying on cushio
was a photograph of the fascinating
Sultana. But as soon as the czaro
witch attempted to take the picture
out of the casket it fell to pieces be-
tween his fingers. With the photo
| graph was letter from the sultan
which read:
| Your Imperial Highness: The Islam
law forbids that woman of the Mo
hammedan faith be given to Chris
tian. This is the only way could
show you the extent of my hospitality
and respect.
| Yours most respectfully,
ABDUL HAMID.
The existence of the harem has
| brought about deplorable marriage
method in Turkey. When a girl has
reached the age of maturity her par
ents and relatives begin to praise her
beauty and virtues to the young men
whom they wish to marry her. AS
she remains always hidden in the
haremlik or behind the veil, the WOO
ers are unable to form any opinion
about her. 1t is a kind of gamble in
the dark. However, certain circum-
stances have created certain matri-
monial agents-mostly old women
who are hired by prospective husbands
to find out how she looks and what
her character is. But as these old
women are notorious deceivers, or at
least have peculiar idea of beauty,
their reports are Enthusiastically
While the Islam does not insist upon
marriage, yet it advises it. Moham-
med writes:
Marriage is one of the acts have
practised He who does not follow
my example is not believer in my
teachings"
Unmarried people of either sex are
very rare among the Turks. Hardly
has Turkish youth reached the age
.f h,. a..