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48 TfOMENMN". TURKEY.
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
-«Gp- • - The Word Harem Has A Very Vari...
care of them , as of tlie stepping * stone which serves to attain the _^ favor strangers of their to them lord . , but On all their thoug side hts the of children maternal have love as and little duty real are
affection for their mothers ; the boys , consider them as servants , give them ordersrebuke them if ligentand I do not know if they
always confine , themselves to neg words . , The children despise their mothers , and the habit of living all together , makes them lose
filial respect , and often communicates to them the deplorable passions which agitate themselves . The rivalry of power among the
mothers is a source of animosity , envy , spite , ; pride , and . anger , the children" Mmother is richerhandsomeryounger ,
among . y , , or born at Constantinople ! " This is what these children boast , _; when they desire to humiliate those whom they term , brothers /
The family of the rich and noble Turk of Constantinople , who has frequented Franh society or travelled in Europedoes not
pre-, sent the same aspect : but , alas ! save some rare exceptions , the silk and brocade cover but a hideous skeleton . The ladies of these
firstrate harems do not wear a whole week or month the same crumpled and soiled costume . Every morning , on leaving their sumptuous
couches , they quit the garments of the day before , and replace them bnew adornments . Their robestrousers , and scarfs are of
_lujonese y fabric , and though the Eur , opean manufacturers only send their worst goods to the East , still they have a very striking effect
when they envelop * the magnificent forms of one of the Georgians or Circassians who people the harems .
One word here about these two races which represent to the inexperienced imagination the type of all female heeuaty . Tall , large ,
well made , a brilliant complexion , masses of black and shining hair , forehead hih and prominentaquiline noseimmense widely opened
black eyes , g vermilion lips formed , like those , of Grecian statues , pearlteethround chinoval face—such is the Georgian . I
admire y the women , of this , racebut , once admired I tarn away and look at them no more , for I , am sure to find them again , when it
pleases me to look , exactly the same as I left them ., without one smile raore or less , or the slightest variation of expression . If a
child be born or die , if her master adore or detest her , her rival be triumphant or banishedthe Georgian countenance " gives no sign . "
I do not know if time evex , brings any change to this statue-like beauty , the soulless brilliancy of which is perfectly irksome .
The Circassian has neither the same advantages , nor their opposite defects . It is a beauty of the Northrecalling that of Germany ,
, but this resemblance goes no further than outward forra . The Circassians are mostly blondes ; their complexion is of a lovely freshness ,
their are irregular eyes blue . or The grey Circassian , their features is as false , thoug and h cunning delicate 1 as and the Georg pleasing ian ,
is foolish and haughty . The one is capable of deceiving her lord , but the other would bore him to death . The great occupation of
these ladies is dress . They are to be found at all hours , clad in
48 Tfomenmn". Turkey.
48 TfOMENMN " . TURKEY .
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), Sept. 1, 1859, page 48, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01091859/page/48/
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