EILLINOIS UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN Production Note The Rare Book & Manuscript Library Digital Rare Book Collections University of Illinois Library at Urbana-Champaign 2014 L i “t f ,— ~ n .3 . '. rmy‘m'éi $322115. .‘ “Hy.“- U Mufiflfix...;,m;» m m . a Jinn nun”: , “a . ;-..-,-,.... .. ”am. A_ A L4“..m * Q, J. $.23 THIRTY YEARS T H E H A R E M ; AUTOBIOGRAPHY MELEK-HANUM, WIFE OF H. H. KIBRIZLI- MEHEMET—PASHA. NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE. 1872. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. lily F amily.—fi[ 3/ Mother’s fifarriage ..................................... Page 9 CHAPTER II. A Doctor attends me.—He makes me an Ofier quarriage.~——My Moth- er’s Refusal.——The Doctor induces me to elope.—]!Iy Marriage—Mg Children.—My Departurefor Italy ..... ‘ .................................... 15 CHAPTER III. lily Return to ConstantinopZe.~——Residenee in the Harem quIa‘z'der—Efi'endi. -—-The Ramadan.—My Intrigue with a Circassian Lady : she takes me to the Seraglz'o.——IIer Escape.—Character qussemah—Sultan ........ 24 CHAPTER IV. 1113/ Illarriage with Mehe7net-Pasha.-Gueuzluklu-Re’shid—Pasha asks me tofind him a Wife—My Proceedings.~—The Daughter quIafuz—Pasha 2's bestowed upon him ............................................................. 31 . CHAPTER V. Character of Sultan Abdul— fifedjid. —IIistorg/ 0f Besmé-IIamtm. —Dis- grace QfflIehemet-Pasha. —]l[y wretched Condition after his Degrada— 11072 .................................................................................. 39 CHAPTER VI. I resolve to petition Riza-Pasha in Favor quy IIusband.—I obtainfor him the Command of‘Akiah—Shortlg/ afterward he is appointed Gov- ernor querusaZem.—0ur Journey from'Akz'ah to that City ........... 52 CHAPTER VII. Our Entry into Jerusalem.——Its Inhabitants.——If0w I set about getting Qfers 0f Presents.—Easter.—A Greek Conspiracy.—I enter upon a Speculation in the grain Trade ............................................... 50 CHAPTER VIII. Revolt qf the Arabs quha‘z'r-Achman.-Deplorable Condition qfthe Otto— man Troops ........................................................................ 72 V i C ONTENTS. CHAPTER IX. I undertake a Journey to visit the Druses and the Bedouins.——The Recep- tion they gave me.—0n my Return to Jerusalem, I succeed in quelling an Arab Emeute.——Iflnd a IIushand for a young Girl whom I had brought up.——T he marriage Ceremonies ............................... Page 78 CHAPTER X. thzlg-Ilanum, Daughter Qf flIehemet—Ali, Viceroy Qngg/pt, invites me to visit her.—M]/ Reception.—Her Character.—I visit Alexandria and Cairo ............................................................................... 91 CHAPTER XI. Mehemet—Pasha is recalled.—Thc Journeyfrom Jerusalem to Constantino- ple.——Mz/ Husband is appointed Governor quelgrad.—We repair to that new Post ................................................................... 103 CHAPTER XII. Residence at Belgrad.——]l[0n0t0ny (3f our Existence there.——Revolt qf the Serbians, and my Visit to the Prince ...................................... 110 CHAPTER XIII. Recall quehemet-Pashm—ffe is appointed flIushirr—Invitationfrom the Kadin-EfmzdL—Her History.~—Condition qf‘Slaves in Turkey... . 119 CHAPTER XIV. Object qf‘ the ronor done me by the Kadin-Efiendi.—Intrigue of Said- Pasha against Reshid-Pasha.—IIis Character .......................... 130 CHAPTER XV. The Promenades about Constantinople.— The Bairam.—~Mehemet-Pasha is appointed Ambassador to England ...................................... 135 CHAPTER XVI. Departure (3f the Pasha for L0nd0n.—-—I remain at Constantinople.—Zlfy Situation.—Sic/cness 0ijehad-Beg.—My Alarm.~—Fatmah, my flouse- keeper.——-err Counsels.——The borrowed Infant.—Conduct quatmah and Beshir.—Their Rivalry.——My Proceedings.—Zl1urder 0f Beshih... 140 CHAPTER XVII. Scene after the Murder.——The Assassins are given up to Justice.—Manc€u- vres ofmy Enemies.—fl[y Imprisonment and Trial.~—The Pasha is sum— moned t0 Constanti7zople.——Reshid’s Policy.-——The Pasha’s Marriage.— Djehad’s Repudiation.—Noble Conduct of the Sultan.—Confiscation of my G00ds.——Z!Iy Banishment ................................................. 152 : $53}?! 506% U: uc A $me \3‘5 CONTENTS. vii CHAPTER XVIII. Life at Koniah.—H03pitality qf Hafiz-Pasha.——Sz'ngular Ideas of his VVz'ves. —I am invited to visit Tchelebi— Efi'endi, Chiefof the Dervishes. ~Descr2'pt2'on qf' this People. —F rederic/cs Arrival. —-Departure 9/" Ha- fiz-Pasha .................................................................. Page 164 CHAPTER XIX. Itah'e Flightfrom Koniah.~—D2fiiculties 2'22 the Way qfreaching Constan- t2'220ple.——I learn what I have to expect.—Pr0teeti0n is extended to me by Reshid—Pasha ................................................................ 17 4 CHAPTER XX. Political Events.——-K2'br2'zl2'-Pasha Grand Vizier.——]l[arr2'age qf Ali— Galyp- Pasha with the Daughter ef‘ the Sultan. —Deplorable Conse— quences qf' th2's Union. —-—R2'valr_2j between Reshz'd and Mehemet— Ali- Pasha ............................................................................. 181 CHAPTER XXI. Reshid-Pasha inte2feres between my Husband and myself.——Proceed2'ngs before the Porte.—Reshid—Pasha is TEPZaced by Aali-Pasha.———0ath tahen.—flfy second Imprisonment.—I am let ofi' ........................ 188 CHAPTER XXII. I leave C'mzsta22t2'nople7 and go to reside at Jalova.—I meet a Highway Robber.-Unhappy Condition (f the Inhabitants Ofthe Country.——Tgr- amty qf the J'Judz'rs ............................................................. 194 CHAPTER XXIII. Death of A bdul-Medjz'd. *Kihrz'zli—Pas'ha raises Abdul-Aziz to the Throne. ——-Chamcter 0f the new Sultan.—Consequences (y’ the Protection afiord— ed by the Consuls.—Disgrace qf lifehemet-Pasha ........................ 203 CHAPTER XXIV. Atsheh's Conch'tton.—C'022duct 9}" F erideh.——F amilg Education—Family Life ............................................................................... 209 CHAPTER XXV. A pprehenszons of F emdeh —err Manoeuvres. ——Marr2'age Scheme. ——C’hoice (3f Shevhet ........................................................................ 220 CHAPTER XXVI. Coronation of Abdul-Aziz. ~Reception at the Scraglio. —-Extra0rd£nary Custom—Incident at the Recq )tton. -—Acczdental T heft .............. 228 viii CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVII. Marriage Sclzemes.—Betrotlzal.—]l/1arriage F estivals.-—T he Apartment qf the Bride.——Weddz'ng Ceremony ................................... Page 240 CHAPTER XXVIII. Remarks on A'z's/zeh's Marriage.—A'ishelz’s Sorrows.—I rejoin my Daugh- ter.—Crisis in the Harem—A'ishelz’s F light ............................. 255 CHAPTER XXIX. Consequences Qf A'z‘slzeh’s F light—Intrigues ‘qf F eridelz.——-Policy 0f Ki- brizli.——Manamvres qf Shevket.—0ur F light from Shevket.—Divorce qu'z'she/z... ...................................................................... 268 CHAPTER XXX. Efibrts qf Shevket.—Confiscation.—Lawsuit.—Mahmud Bey.~—Pr0tract- ed Hostilities.——My View qfthe Case.—A'z‘slzelz’s Sentiments... . 280 «CHAPTER XXXI. Departure for Egypt—Abib-Pasha.~Arrival at Alexandria.—Belzavior 9/“ the Egyptians. —Departure for Mtylene.—-We are taken by F 0709.— Exz'le t0 Kom'ah ................................................................ 292 CHAPTER XXXII. Route to Koniah.—Soj0urn at Koniah.—Escape from Koniah.~—We arrive at Mersine.-—The French 00nsul.-Arm'val at Constantinople ...... 302 CHAPTER XXXIII. ' Arrival at Constantinople.~—Our Position.—-—Designs qf the T urks.—-We decide tofly to Europe.—My Nephew, Carlo Calix ................... 313 CHAPTER XXXIV. Our Flight—W'e disguise Ourselves.- We get on Board the MaiZ-steamer. —0ur Departure.—0fi" at Zastfor Europe ............................... 321 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. CHAPTER I. 1113/ an'ily.—Ji[y Mother’s .MaW/iage. MY maternal grandmother, who was from the isle of Chios7 married an Armenian, a banker patronized by the then reigning Sultan, Selim III.(1789~1807). He was very rich, and—what is always a perilous matter in the East—he was known to possess a fortune. The Janizaries were, at that time, the tyrants of the country. They were a source of universal terror, so res- olutely did they devote themselves to the most shameless depredations—to the most cruel measures of vengeance, and to acts the most arbitrary. ' My grandfather one day received a warning that the Janizaries had formed the design of paying a Visit to his house in order to lay hands upon his treasures. Fear got the better of his courage; his reason was disturbed. Ascending t0 the terrace—roof, common to the generali- ty of old houses, he precipitated himself to the ground. “When he was taken up, horribly mutilated, life was found to be extinct. The announcement which led to so lamentable a re- sult was unquestionably false, for the widow, the son, and the three daughters of the deceased were left in peaceable possession of his effects. 1-}:- 10 THIRTY YEARS IN TJIE’ EiREfll. The family resided at Constantinople, in the suburb of Galata, between the quarter named Salszazar (the Tuesday bazar) and Azab-C’apou (the Refuge). The house they lived in was of great antiquity. Built by the Genoese, it was the property of a celebrated physi- cian, named Hadji-Mustapha. It was laid out in four flats, each comprising four or five bed-rooms and a spa- cious reception-room. As it stood on a considerable elevation, an agreeable prospect was enjoyed, even from the first floor, ranging over the White Sea, the Tower of Leander (called by the Turks the Maiden’s Tower), and Scutari, with its forests of lofty cypress. The reason why the Turks call Leander’s Tower K't'z- 7cuZesi, or the Maiden’s Tower, is referable to a singular legend: A certain Sultan dreamed that his daughter would perish from the bite of a serpent. The ulemas (sooth- sayers), when consulted as to the means of preserving the princess from the fatal calamity that menaced her, could suggest nothing better than to construct, out at sea, the tower in question. The young Sultana was confined in this tower, with several of her ladies to hear her company. One day, while surrounded by her at- tendants, and seated upon the highest story, she was amusing herself by watching the boats passing below, when she remarked in one of them some magnificent fruits, especially grapes, for which she had a great long- ing. In spite of the Sultanis prohibition, who had or- dained that nothing whatever should be allowed access to his daughter, she purchased a basketful of the beauti- ful, fresh, and rosy grapes which she found so tempting. A cord, let down to the boatman, enabled the basket to MY FAMIL Y. 11 be drawn up; but scarcely had the princess laid her hand upon it when a serpent, gliding out, bit her in the arm. Every care was lavished upon her, but to no purpose; she expired after a few moments. So difficult is it to escape the destiny which is in store for us. My grandmother, as I have said before, was in easy circumstances; so her house was tastefully furnished. On the three sides of each room other than that which contained the doorway were ranged large divans of cloth or velvet, supplied with cushions. Ancient Tur- key oarpetsoovered the floor in winter; in the summer they were replaced by mats. Fresco paintings of flow- ers adorned the walls, and the air was cooled by vases of water placed in niches. Every room had a chimney; while in modern houses people warm themselves solely by means of huge ohafing-dishes resembling Roman bra- ziers7 or by means of the tmzdom‘. This last-named system of warming is so peculiar as ‘ to be deserving here of special mention. To make this original stove a large iron foot-warmer is placed under a kind of flat, circular wooden chest, lined with sheet- iron, and about a foot and a half high. It is pierced at intervals with holes sufficiently large to allow persons sitting on it to pass their legs underneath. The whole is covered with stuffs more or less rich, according to the resources of the owner. In the centre is placed a circu- lar tablecloth, or covering, of silk or cashmere. Before each of the persons who take their seats on this novel divan is a drawer, in which fruit and "other things can be placed. The inmates, male and female, of the same house can all seat themselves in this fashion, and remain for many 12 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREflf. hours without perceiving any attack of cold. Their heads alone are visible, for their bodies, up to their shoul- ders, are under cover. When the circle is composed of young girls, they become extremely animated, tease each other, throw fruit and nuts, and excite themselves by playful interchanges of kicks and blows. This kind of entertainment is sometimes attended with serious re- sults, as the foot-warmer occasionally gets overturned, and sets fire to the house. Fires are of frequent occur- rence at Constantinople, and their origin is often merely the upsetting of a ta‘ndom'. My two aunts and their brother were already married when my mother (who was named Constance), although twenty-five years of age, found herself still freefat a time when women in Turkey married at fourteen. It was not that numerous opportunities did not pre- sent themselves. Extremely intelligent, she had received but little education, as is customary in the East in the case of girls. She only knew her mother-tongue, Greek. Tall, and with magnificent black hair, her dark complex- ion and dauntless carriage gave her an air of energy which was not belied by her character. She had pre- ferred to remain single sooner than put up with an un- suitable match. As my mother’s house was situated in the native quar- ter, where very few Europeans made their appearance, those who did venture into that neighborhood could not fail to excite remark. A young European was frequent- ly seen to pass, of tall stature and of graceful bearing7 always armed with a long and slender sword. The 1a- dies of that quarter amused themselves by looking at him through the wooden grating of their chumbda. One MY BIOTIIER ’S JIIARRIA GE. 13 evening, when my mother had half opened the wicket contrived in the thick 1attice,in order to obtain a bet~ ter View of the stranger, the latter stopped to survey her, and was struck with the beauty of her countenance. Next day he appeared again before the window, and threw my mother a note in French, in which he avowed his passion for her. She caused him to explain himself through the servant of a Marseilles merchant, who more- over told her that she knew the author of the letter to be a Frenchman, named Charles Dejean, living at Con- stantinople on the proceeds'of a considerable quantity of valuables which he possessed, and which he was sell- ing by degrees. ' Satisfied with these particulars, my mother replied in a note, which she sent him the next time he passed through the street, that she accepted his addresses, and that, if he would demand her in marriage of my uncle, she was ready to marry him. Next day the Frenchman called on my mother’s broth- ' er, who could speak a little Italian; they came to an un- derstanding, and my uncle being assured of his sister’s consent, she was married to M. Dejean before the French consul. This occurred in 1810. I My father remained with my mother for three years, and had a first-born daughter. His wife was three months advanced in pregnancy withme when he left to make a journey into \Vallachia. He had only been there a few months when a pestilent epidemic, which was prevalent in that country, carried him off in the course of a few days. Thus it happens that I never saw my father. My sister, who was of a very gentle disposition, bore 14: THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJL a strong personal resemblance to my mother; I differed entirely from both of them, as well from a physical as from a moral point of view. I was told, that my fea- tures and my character had much similarity With those of my father. There were twelve of us children in my grandmoth- er’s house. Though the youngest, I assumed a certain V authority over all the others; they listened to me, and obeyed me more readily than their own parents. From the age of eight years I made myself remarka- ble by my facility of learning and my high spirit. rI‘he master Who came to teach us to read French and Greek always questioned me last, as being the youngest, and he seemed perfectly astonished to find that every day I knew my lessons better than did my young feHOW-pu- pils. At the same time, I 'as so boisterous that I could not be kept in order against my will; so far did I carry my pranks, that I would often come home with my dress all in rags, from climbing the very tallest of the trees in our garden. During the summer we left Constantinople to pass the season at Prince’s Island. It was in this semi-peace- ful and semi-boisterous, manner that my early years flowed on. A DOCTOR ATTENDS ME. 15 CHAPTER II. A Doctor attends me.—IIe makes me an Ofi’er 0f flhrriaga—Jlfy Jlfother’s qu’usal.——T7Le Doctor induces me to dopa—Mg/ 211M— 9~iage.—My OizriZchmr—My Departure for Italy. IVHEN I was thirteen years old my mother sent me to a school kept by one Madame Barbiani, where I was to complete my education. Every morning, accompa- nied by my maid, I went to the school, Where I remained until evening. One day, however, I was seized with an affection of the eyes, the symptoms of which gave my mother great anxiety. I was therefore compelled to keep my room, and one of the best doctors in the place was hastily called in; he was an Englishman, attached to the household of the Valideh-Sultan, the late Sultan’s mother. This individual was smitten by my charms, to such an extent, that he did not hesitate to demand my hand in marriage after the third or fourth visit he had paid me. My mother, to whom the proposal was addressed, ac- cepted the offer in the first instance; but afterward, un- der the advice of her confessor and her friends, she drew back, on the plea that she could not possibly give the hand of her daughter to a Protestant. Moreover, the doctor’s age presented an obstacle, for there was a dis parity of some twenty years between us. The doctor, enraged to find himself thus rejected, de- termined to possess himself of me by stratagem. He sent, therefore, an old woman whom he enjoined to use 16 TIIIIJTY ,YEAIJS IN _TJIE IIAREJII. every means to induce me to escape from my moth- er’s house. The cunning old creature did her best to fulfill her mission, for by displaying before my eyes, as in a mirror, irresistible allurements, and employing specious arguments, she ended by launching me upon that fatal course which must lead me to perdition. In accordance with a plan which had been concocted between the Old she-devil and the doctor, I was dressed up like a Turkish woman, and thus disguised, I was conducted to Bebeck, on the Bosporus, where my fu- ture husband was awaiting my arrival. My flight had taken place at daybreak, when all were wrapped in pro- foundest slumber. ‘ My husband, delighted to see me, immediately surn- moned some Greek priests who celebrated our nuptials. It is needless to observe that an establishment based on such principles could not possibly promote my hap- piness. The honey-moon over, the evil propensities of my husband provoked my resistance, and drove me to revolt against a tyranny which I found insupportable. IVithout entering into details, it suffices to say that his avarice was something frightful. He was a man whose very heart was moved at the tinkliug of a piece of gold. An incident which occurred some days after our mar- riage opened my eyes to this monstrous trait in his char- acter, One morning, before the doctor went out, he placed in my hands a bag of money. Seeing myself all at once in possession of a sum which, at that time, appeared to me immense, and remarking the number of empty clos- ets in the house, I placed myself at a window which looked into a mueh-frequented street, and proceeded to I AJI TO BE SENT TO ROflIE. 17 purchase from the itinerant merchants linen, dresses, ar- tificial flowers, carpets, and a quantity of other things, for which I paid double or treble their value. ' Next day my husbandasked me for a little of the money he had given me. I replied that I had not a farthing left, and showed him my purchases. He he- came furious, and behaved with such violence toward the servants who had let me have my own way, that he actually threw a dish at the head of one of them and upset the table. ' Having scarcely yet a mind of my own, I did not en- tertain toward him any other sentiments than the affeo tion with which I was inspired by the liberty he afi‘Ord- ed me of gratifying my youthful capricos. This kind of existence continued for five whole years. That it was most wretched may be readily understood. The doctor found it so; for, seeing that I would not re- sume intimacy with him, he determined to get rid of me as soon as possible. To this end he proposed to take me to Europe, where he said he knew of excellent es- tablishments for the education of my children. In the mean time, as he was yet undecided as to his choice, and, on the other hand, was resolved to get rid of me forthwith, he insisted that I should go to Rome, where his mether would receive us with pleasure. Once there, he promised that he would let me know his decision on the subject of the education which our children ought to receive. -’ Suspecting nothing of his design, I was enchanted with the idea of the proposed journey; it was better for me to travel about the woridthan to continue liv- ing with one so intraetable. I hastened, therefore, my 18 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJI. preparations for the voyage, and embarked in a sailing vessel, with my daughter Evelyn (the Countess Pisani, of Venice) and my son Frederick (Major Millingen), who was then only two years old. The vessel in which I took my‘passage was an English sailing cutter7 on her 'Voyage from Smyrna, Malta, and Leghorn; as steamers had not yet been employed on the line to Constanti- nople. The weather continued fine until we reached Smyrna; between that port and Malta the sea was so rough that the waves swept over us from [stem to stern ; two sailors were washed overboard, and our masts were broken. For twenty-two days were we thus tossed about, in company with a Polish countess named VVir- horska, her daughter, and her secretary. 'When we arrived at Malta we were all so ill that we had to be carried ashore on litters. The captain was afraid lest we should be thought to be affected with an epi-A demie and sent into quarantine; he told us to take cour- age, and constrain ourselves and keep up our good looks. For twenty-five days we remained at Malta, in order to undergo there a restorative course of treatment, to enable us to resume our voyage. A Mr. Slade, a friend of my husband, prepared for us a charming,\i'e11-fLir- nished residence, belonging to one of his friends, who was at the time away. It was situated near the port of Vaietta, and had a magnificent garden, in which numer- ous aeaeias flourished, and aloes gave out their delight- ful perfume. ' I was Visiting Europe for the first time, and was sur- prised to see the cleanliness of the streets, the houses with their windows unharred, and the people walking about freely and without restraint. V0 YA GE. 1 9 From Malta we directed our course to Leghorn, where we left the English cutter, to take the steam-paeket for Civita Veeehia. It put in at the Island of Elba to take the mails. The young Polish lady, a beautiful brunette, of most delightfully fresh, complexion, stood with me close to the ladder, the better to enjoy the View of the port and the town, and to watch the crowd that awaited on the shore the arrival of the packet. The Visitors Who came on board told us that there was to be a grand gala ball that evening at the governor’s house, and offered to procure us invitations, adding that we should have time to re-emhark before four o’clock in the morning, the hour at which our vessel was to weigh anchor. We ae- eeded to the proposal, and attired ourselves in the best manner that the contents of our trunks could afford. As the ground was covered with snow, these gentlemen procured planks, and we each sat upon one, which was carried by four of them. In this fashion we arrived at the governor’s residence, where we were delighted at the sight of the large reception-rooms, illuminated and adorned with Venetian lanterns of various colors. Next morning, instead of re-emharking at once, we went to see the house once occupied by Napoleon; it was past midday when we returned on board. The captain was awaiting us impatiently; he was afraid his superiors would reprimand him severely for the delay. On arriving at Civita Vecehia, I bid adieu to the Po lish countess and her charming daughter. Here I was met by Augustus, my brother-in-law, whom the 01d mother-inJaw had sent to receive me. Indeed Augus- tus was waiting for me 011 the port, with the equipage necessary to convey me to Rome, where we soon arrived. / 20 I THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAIBEJI. My mother-in-Iaw was an Englishwoman, who had become a Catholic, and had been a lady of honor to the Duchess of Lueca. After leaving that court, she estab- lished herself at Rome, where she assumed the title of countess. It was a singular. circumstance that the count- ess was also separated from her husband, the doctor’s fa- ther, who, like him, was a miser of distinction. After living eight years with him, she had been compelled to come to a separation. “Then I first made her acquaintance, she was about sixty years 0ch She told me that she had been very beautiful in her younger days; and, notwithstanding her age, her countenance had still something very at- tractive in its expression. She was living at Rome on a pension which the Pope allowed her, and another from the Duchess of Lucca. As she was fond of luxury and good cheer, she exceed- ed her means, andwas crippled with debts, s0 thatevery day she was receiving a visit from some creditor or oth- er, who demanded payment, sometimes not over civilly ——a matter which seemed to give her little concern. She was enchanted to see me; as for myself, I was very ill-pleased to find myself in her company. Cher- ishing exaggerated notions of piety, she and her daugh- ter were constantly at church, and passed the greater part of the day in their chapel, or in long interviews with their confessors. On leaving the East to travel into Europe, I had counted on finding great pleasure in visiting every thing remarkable in the various towns I went to; but the strict retirement in which I was now living was little calculated to lead me to prefer the country I was dwell- 111 Y DIVOR CE. 2 1 ing in to that which I had left. But retirement, though unbearable to the 370mg, nevertheless may soothe the mind by calm repose. The retreat, however, to which I was condemned was a veritable hell on earth, 1n which I was subjected to the most cruel refinements of martyrdom. My retreat was a dungeon, in which my mother-in-law had given loose to numberless intrigues and. cabals. In other words, the countess was determined to get rid of me, for her own sake and that of her son. While parting with me, she wished to tear my children from me, and bring them up as Catholics. As to her son, he only wanted a pretext for getting a divorce, and marrying another woman. rI‘he countess, therefore, came to his aid, and by dint of moral and physical tortures she succeeded in bringing upon me an attack of madness. Scarcely had the symptoms manifested themselves than she wrote to her son, the. doctor, who hastened to the Greek Patriarchate at Constantinople to demand a di- vorce. In the mean time the countess, who was anxious to secure the favor of the Pope, hurried me from Rome, and gave my children, Evelyn and Frederick, into the hands of the priests. Then the countess and her son used every exertion, the one to secure her prey7 the other to satisfy public opinion -, between them, my poor children were torn to pieces and ruined forever. On leaving Rome, I returned to Constantinople, where I readily learned all that had passed in my ahsenCe. The doctor was, happily, married to a Greek widow. On my arrival, he sent me word that if I would go and settle in Paris, he would assign me a pension for life. 22 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. At first I declined any such proposition, but being after- ward informed that the consular courts could do noth- ing for me, and that the native courts were always pre- pared to give judgment in favor of the suitor who bribed highest, I decided to take my departure. On the way, however, my love for my children drove me to make one last attempt to snatch them from the grasp of that wicked woman who had so usurped my rights. “71th this View7 as soon as the packet arrived at Messina7 I left it, and took my passage on one of the boats employed in the coastal service. At Civita Vee- chia I took the diligence, and made my way to Rome. Unhappily the countess had heard of my arrival, and, suspecting the object of my journey, she applied to the Papal government, and had me conducted to the front- ier by the sbz'rm', or Papal police. Thus, by an abuse of power, were trampled under foot rights the most sa- ered—those of a mother over her children. Having failed in my enterprise, I gave up my eon- templated voyage to England, and set off for Paris, where I had to make arrangements about my pension. As soon as 'I arrived, I hastened to call on the agent to whom letters of credit had been remitted. But what was my astonishment when the gentleman declared that the doctor had stipulated, as a condition of payment, that I should make a declaration before the mayor of consent to the illegal divorce which he had obtained from the Greek Patriarchate. Seeing myself the victim of a Vile treachery, I decided stranger in the land as I was, to have recourse to the Turkish ambassador, of whom I solicited a free passage back to my own country. JIY SECOND flIARRIA GE. 23 At this period Féty-Pasha was ambassador for Turkey at the court of Louis Philippe. I was presented to his excellenoy by a relative of mine. The Ottoman envoy received us very graciously, and told us that he was about to remain some months longer in Paris7 and would then be returning to Constantinople, where he was go- ing to marry a daughter of the then reigning sultan, Mahmud. He showed himself, in every respect, full of courtesy toward us, and took upon himself to assist me in the midst of my difficulties. It was at this time that I made the acquaintance of KibriZIi-Mehemet-Pasha, who was then military attaohé to the legation. From our first interview, Kibrizli showed himself full of attentions and regard for me, and, wherever we met, he strove to make himself agree- able. These advances were soon followed by an offer of marriage, which, for my part, I was well disposed to accept. The doctor having indulged himself with a second marriage of this kind, I considered I had the right to follow his example, by giving my hand to one who had already gained my affections. Kibrizli-I’asha possessed all the qualities of mind and person that could make a man worthy to be loved. In marrying him, I hoped to be enabled to forget the miseries of a marriage that was more than unhappy. My stay in Paris was but of short duration, for the departure of Féty-Pasha for Constantinople obliged me to follow the fortunes of my betrothed. I took with me a servant, a young negro,seventeen or eighteen years of age, a native of Bordeaux, to whom I gave the name of M ustapha. 24; THIRTY YEARS IN THE 1131121931. CHAPTER III. My Return to Constantinople.—Residence in the Harem (3f Haideyu Efmdi.——— Th6 Ramadan.—Jl[y Intrigue with a Girrcassicm Lady .- 3he takes me to the Seraglio.—Her Escape.—— Character cg” Esse— mah—Sultan. ON my arrival at Constantinople, I waited on Fe’ty- Pasha. He referred me to one of his friends, whose hospitality he had bespoken in my favor.‘ I therefore took up my residence in the palace of Haider-Efi’endi, Which was situated in the quarter of St. Sophia. » In this palace resided fifteen or twenty ladies—moth- ers, stepmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, stepsisters, and other relatives of the master of the house. It was a spacious abode, and luxuriously furnished. “76 passed the time very pleasantly together, in con- Versation, dancing, music, listening to and telling stories; in fact, seeking to entertain ourselves in every way we could imagine. It wee then the time of the Ramazan, the Mussulman Lent. During this season their religion forbids them to eat, drink, or smoke all day long. At midnight a crier goes through the streets beating a large drum (daul), and rousing all the inhabitants. The women then make ready the repast, for it is allowable to eat and drink till day-break. Then another cry goes round, forbidding them to take any thing; they rinse their mouths, and sleep till nightfall. As I did not at 311 like to take my meals at night and sleep in the day-time, I used to put THE RAMAZAN. 25 certain articles of nourishment on one side, and eat them secretly in the course of the day. This scheme was not my own invention, for very many people, including Pa- shas, do not serupie to provide for themselves in secret. At the same time, when they appear in the streets by day they keep up the farce, and assume the languid and fainting air of one suffering from starvation. A11 throUgh this month the rich keep open house. They receive all comers and every poor person,afte1 making his repast is diSmissed with a small 'piesent of money wrapped 111 a handkerchief. During the nights of the Ramazan the Mussulman youth of both sexes spend their time in wandering through the streets of Stambou], Visiting the mosques, and frequenting the cafes and other places of amuse- ment. They usually carry small lanterns of different eolors—green, red, blue, etc. The effect produced by these masses of lanterns, casting a mysterious glimmer, was extremely original and attractive. A Ciroassian lady, named Nazib-Khanum, the adopt- ed daughter of the Sultan’s sister, came on one of these nights to pay us a Visit. She was of a spirited and playful disposition; and as for myself, I may venture to say, speaking for both, we were a good match. Turning to me, she said, “If you are willing, my dear, let us go and dress ourselves up like men (for women are not allowed to enter the mosques), and- we will go together to St. Sophia, to see the festival which is held ’to-night.” Putting on male apparel, and carrying small lanterns, we went to the mosque. On entering it, we were com- pletely dazzled. The columns were decked from top to C) A—l 26 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJVI. bottom with lustres of colored glass; the Sultan’s band was performing; and the crowd was so dense that it was almost impossible to get in. After remaining for some time prostrated like the celebrants themselves, we Wished to retire, and tried to find the door by which we had entered; but as there were a great number7 we found our way out by a different one from that which we were seeking. Presently we heard two young men behind us call out, “Beyier! beylerl” that is to say, “ Gentlemen! gen- tlemen! don’t go so fast; come with us to a café, and take some refreshment.” At these words, supposing that they had discovered our stratagem, we quiekened our pace, without replying. They persisted, however, in following and Speaking to us. Seriously alarmed, we hurried 011 faster and faster. “I fear, my dear,” said my companion, “if we are pursued much longer, I shall be obliged to stop. These men must have suspected our trick, and are now pursuing us in earnest.” » VVearied of this pursuit, we saw approaching us an old man of venerable appearance. We accosted him, and begged that he would escort us to the house where we were staying. Our followers asked him if he knew us. “They are strangers,” he replied, “whom I am conducting to their home.” When we returned, we were worn out with fatigue. Nazib-Khanum staid that night with me. In the morning she left, inviting me to Visit her at the palace 0n the following day. I went, accordingly, and she showed me over the la- dies’ apartments and those of the Sultan. The divan in her chamber was of red velvet, embroidered with pearls. v AN INTRIG UE. 27 Afterward she made me seat myself in an immense room, and then Essemah-Suitan, the sister of the Sultan Mahmud, a lady already of considerable age, joined us. She was accompanied by several young ladies, one-half of whom were dressed in male attire, and took her seat on a large gilded chair. Some of them began to dance, and the princess in- vited me to follow their example. I was dressed in a magnificent costume, and mingled with the other young women. Nazib-Khanum, who had introduced me, ac- companied us, in the most enchanting style, on a kind of guitar. Then there was a cry of “The Sultan I” We were going to withdraw, when his sister invited us to re- main, saying, “ His highness will be much pleased to see you thus.” Mahmud looked at us for some time, and then offered his hand to Nazib-Khanum, my chaperon, and took sev- eral turns about the room with her, conversing in the most animated manner. Returning to Essemah-Sultan, he told her that it would greatly oblige him if she would give him that young lady. She refused, saying that, if she gave him what he asked, he would keep to his new wife for three or four days, and then she would have to pass the rest of her life in a corner of the palace. He thereupon retired, and betook himself to his repast. He did not appear to be a long time over it, for al- most immediately after his departure we had all the dishes brought us that had appeared at his table. I was not sorry for this, for I had tasted nothing since morning. When bed-time arrived, Nazib showed me to her chamber, where a bed had been prepared for me be- 28 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJI. side her own. I was in bed, when I heard a knocking at the door. A young woman had come to ascertain whether she had found any letter. Opening a little wicket formed in the lattice of the window, she drew in a string, to which was attached a letter. She forthwith burst into peals of laughter, and quickly wrote another, which she fastened to the string and let doWn. Calling the treasurer, she said to her, in great glee, “It is the little rascal whom we have met so often that has written to me. I have replied that I shall be hap- py to see him, and that he will see us to-morrow on the promenade, in the principal passage of the Bazar.” On the morrow Nazib-Khanum took the princess’s carriage, and I accompanied her, while two pretty little slaves dressed like men were following us on horseback. ‘We soon saw a young gentleman approaching, who threw into the carriage some flowers and a note. The young Circassian alighted, furtively spoke a few words to him, and contrived to hand him a letter unobserved. This person was a Greek merchant of the Bazar, of whom Nazib was enamored. He was in no way re- markable for good looks, and as to money, he was a mere pauper, an adventurer who was seeking to make his fortune by marrying one of the court ladies. It must be said that Nazib was playing a dangerous game7 for in selecting a Christian for a lover she rah the risk of being thrown into the Bosporus in a sack weighted with shot. ‘ ' Some time afterward the news was spread that she had taken flight. This is how she managed itzi She wrote to her lover to come to her on a certain day, with a boat all ready before the palace, on the side nearest to NAZIB’S ESCAPE. 29 the sea. Through some of the Greek women who are allowed into the harems to sell various articles to the in- mates, she procured European clothing, including a thick veil to disguise her features. She took with her some diamonds and other valuables, which formed part of the marriage trousseau presented to her by Essemah-Sultan, Who had intended shortly to give her in marriage. Tak- ing advantage of the circumstance that European ladies frequently paid Visits to the palace while their husbands waited for them outside, she passed rapidly before the guards, who remarked among themselves that she bore a strong resemblance to the adopted daughter of the Sultan’s sister. With the utmost coolness she took the arm of him who was awaiting her; they got into a boat, embarked on board a vessel that was moving off, and took their leave of Constantinople and of Turkey. The next clay Essemah-Sultan sent for her protégée to go and pay homage to the Sultan Abdul—Medjid, her nephew, who had just come to the throne. In spite of all researches, they were unable to discover the hiding- plaee of the young Ciroassian. It was only after a con- siderable interval that they learned she was married at Galatz to the lover who had carried her off. After her marriage with the Greek, Nazib-Khanun had to endure many vicissitudes. Her husband made away with all her treasures, and ended his career with his bankruptcy. The poor woman was left a widow, with twelve children. Finding it impossible to live and sup- port her large family, Nazib decided on seeking refuge among her former masters, and returned to Constantino- ple an old woman, and in rags. The Turks, instead of reproaching her for her conduct, received her kindly, 30 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJFI and they furnished her With the means of subsistence up to the present day. The princess was a woman of strong passions, but, at the same time, of a most cruel disposition. She exer- cised great influence over her brother, the Sultan Mah- mud. It is related of her that she used to amuse herself by collecting together in her presence ten young Greeks duly shaved and painted, and making them dance in fe- male costume. On several occasions her brother, hear- ing of the debauches to Which she gave herself up With these dancers, had them seized and put to death, Where at his sister seemed to be not in the least degree affected. Once while taking a walk in the country, seeing a young peasant of prepossessing appearance, she invited him to come to the‘palace with some flowers and other trifles. Once admitted, nothing more was ever heard of the unhappy youth: he was massacred, after having af- forded a pastime to this capricious and cruel woman. MY .MARRIAGE. 3 1 CHAPTER IV. My Marriage with Jllehemet—Pasha.~ GuamZuklu-Réshz'd-Pasha asks me to find him a Wafe—My Proceedings.— The Daughter of Ha- fuz-Paslza i8 bestowed upon Mm. THE Ramazan once at an end7 my lover, Kibrizli-Me- hemet—Bey, hastened to make the necessary preparations for the celebration of our marriage. Féty-Pasha, who had taken us under his protection, bore the greater part of the expense, and assisted us by every means in his power. ‘ ' It was nOW the day following the night called Kadir- Gedjessi, Which precedes by three days the termination of the Ramazan. During this night the minarets are 11-- 1uminated With blackened lustres, forming verses and other sentences from the Koran. The Sultan repairs, With great pomp, to one of the mosques, amidst the glare of torches, escorted by troops, preceded by bands of mu- sic, and accompanied by the great officers of state. The Turkish ladies take advantage of this occasion to go out, and to converse more freely than they could in the day- time With those Who drew near to their carriages to pay them compliments, and present them With bouquets and bonbons. In the course of this day an old lady, the wife of the imam Who was to celebrate our nuptials, called on me in her carriage and took me to the house of my future hus- band, Which stood on an eminence overlooking Tophané. This building, surrounded by a garden, was very small; 82 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJM tit comprised only three bed-ehamhers and a reception- room, forming the harem, besides a small chamber for the use of the men, or sélamZi/c. From this elevation there was a magnificent View, At our feet was the Bos- porus, and in the far distance, on the opposite shore, the smiling hills of Scutari. The furniture, in the Oriental fashion, was of the greatest simplicity. After accompanying the Sultan to the mosque, Kibriz- li-Mehemet-Bey arrived, followed by a general and an- other officer of rank, and the imam or priest. The nup- tial ceremony is very simple in the ease of those Who have been married before. The lady draws near to the door of the harem; the bridegroom and the imam are on the other side. The latter asks each of the parties three times Whether he 01‘ she respeotively will take the other in marriage; on receiving a response in the affirm- ative thrice repeated, he recites a few prayers, and retires, after taking a glass of sherbet. The Witnesses then take their leave, the husband enters the harem, offers his hand to his bride, and remains alone With her. In the morning the husband goes out, and his Wife avails herself of his absence to bring forth her most beautiful attire. She adorns her head With a rich head- dress decked With brilliants, and placed over her loose- flowing looks, and dresses herself in long sweeping robes of silk embroidered With gold. Our establishment was limited to an old woman and a black slave. All the Windows were guarded by wooden gratings, some of them having, in addition, small balco- nies surrounded With ti‘eHiS-Work, called, in the language of the country, djumba. XVe could see out of these Win- dows without being seen. I could perceive that our __._....:.....> ¢WMW. . MY VISITORS. 33 garden was very fine, and, moreover, that there were four small doors giving access to the houses of some of our neighbors. These doors presently opened, and admitted numbers of ladies, young and 01d, accompanied by their children, both girls and little boys of from six to eight years old. They entered my Chamber Without ceremony, to see, as they said, the neW-comer. They made me the subject of their comments: “This lady is indeed beautiful, mashallah!” said one. “Are you a Turk or a Ciroassian ?” inquired another, on coming near me. “I am a Georgian,” I replied. “Have you not a sister?” asked a third; “ because I have a son to Whom I should be happy to" give a Wife such as you.” “ I have no sister.” After each question they eonversed together, either in Turkish or Cireassian. As some of them left, others came in, and plied me With questions as idle as the pre- ceding, without giving me a moment’s truce. Seeing that they lived in the same quarter With my- self, and that they were all the mothers or Wives of offi— cers, I treated them With due consideration, and avoided giving them umbrage. I did not dare to take any re- pose in their presence, and feared I should offend them if I begged them to retire. They only left me toward nightfall. Prudence constrained me to act in this manner. In- deed, the promotion of the officers is independent of any fixed rule; favor and eapriee dictate their selection; the women also employ themselves actively in the matter,on 2* 34 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. behalf of their sons, their brothers, and their husbands. As they Visit a good deal, they try to ingratiate them- selves With the Wives of the ministers or the generals in chief, and these speak in favor Of their protége’es When they find themselves alone With their husbands, and, by dint of importunity, obtain from them the steps Which they desire. It is nothing unusual for a young man of five-and-twenty, Who has never seen active service, to be nominated general of brigade or division, or promoted to some important naval or‘military post. It is easy to un- derstand that, With such an organization, the Ottoman troops lose the benefit of the personal valor of the sol- diers who compose them. Soon after our marriage, my husband received, through the interest of Féty-Pasha, the title of beg, or colonel, and three or four months afterward that of Kim, or general of brigade. On this occasion he had the honor of a visit from his general of division, Gueuziuklu-Re’shid-Pasha. After the customary saiutations, the latter imparted to Mehemet-Bey his determination to marry. He begged my husband to call me close to the door7 so that, Without being seen, I could hear What he had to say on this sub- ject. Having no family connections, being a native of Georgia, he was desirous that I should take upon myself in his behalf those duties Which, in the choosing of a Wife, ordinarily devolve upon some female relative. As he had lived in Europe, he explained that he Wish~ ed his Wife to be tall and slender, as Europeans general- ]y are, and that she should, moreover, have an agreeable expression of countenance. I immediately entered upon the campaign; I dressed myself to the best possible advantage, and went, in suc- q A SEARCH FOR A WIFE. . 35 cession, among all the families of equal rank With that of the general. In eonformitywith established usage, I con- trived my visits of this kind in the following manner: I presented myself at the door of a house Where I knew there was a marriageable daughter. “What do you want, madam?” “I Wish to see your young lady.” Forthwith I was introduced into the drawing-room, Where I sat down on a divan While» the young person was getting arrayed in her finest clothes. She made her appearance, saluted me With the handkerchief Which she carried in her hand, and, With her eyes always fixed on the ground, proceeded to sit down on a seat placed in front of mine, and arranged expressly for her. Then coffee was brought in a small silver cup. The young lady stays all the time While it is in course of drinking; as soon as the cup is empty she withdraws; so that it is taken as slowly as possible, in Order to afford a thorough inspection of that Which one has come to see. As soon as she has disappeared, one of her relatives, her mother or eldest sister, enters and inquires What one thinks of the young lady. To such a question one most naturally makes answer in the most eulogistio terms. Then the lady explains What the damsel is possessed of, both in clothes and jewelry, and states the amount of her dowry. . Hewever, it does not do to trust implicitly to these representations. It often happens that, after premising more than they are able or willing to give, the parents, When once the marriage is concluded, furnish a provis- ion greatly inferior to What was held Out in the first in- stance. There are no means of compelling them to ful- fill their promise, because a contract previous to Inar- 86 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJI. riage is a thing unrecognized, and contrary to all re- ceived usages. On taking my leave, I assured the family that I would explain every thing to the person‘who had commissioned me, and that I would let them know if the match proved acceptable to him. Every evening I gave my husband an account of my Visits, and he reported the same to Gueuzluklu-Réshid- Pasha, Who showed himself very hard to please. In one case he found too many relations; in another, not suffi- cient fortune: this one was built on too large a scale, or , had blue eyes, Whereas he preferred black ; that one was too old. In fact, not one of them could secure his choice. For twenty days I ceased not to assail the houses of the ulémas, the generals, the ministers, and all the high dig- nitaries. , \Veary of so much going about, and such useless ap- plications, I resolved to Speak, on behalf of the Pasha, to the very next damsel Whom I happened to visit. He had sent me, With this View, a bduquet, enriched With a magnificent diamond. I intrusted it to a Circassian Whom I took With me, and directed my steps to the pal- ace of Hafuz-Pasha, situated at Stiniah, on the Bosporus. His own Wife came to receive me. Though about fifty years old, this lady had a magnificent arm and hand, of Which ’I still preserve the recollection. She made me come into the drawing-room, Where I found great delight in her conversation, on account both of the charming sweetness 'of her voice, and the spirit and brilliancy of her remarks.‘ To hear and see the mother could not but dispose one favorably toward the daughter. The latter soon appeared. She was ta11,full of health, G UEUZL UKL U-RESHID ~PASH'A. 8 7 with regular features, and fair complexion ; she had a 7 hand and an arm as beautiful as her mother’s, but her hair and eyebrows were red, and her eyes were of a light chestnut color. This was by no means what Gueuzlu- kIu-Re’shid-Pasha wanted, for he was seeking some one slight, and with black hair and eyes. Tired of having gone to no purpose into so many houses, I decided at once in favor of this young lady, whose fortune was, moreover, very considerable. I placed on her head the present I had brought her, saying that his excellency took her for his wife. . When I returned home, I rendered an account of my embassy, taking care to say nothing about the red hair of the betrothed maiden. Some days after, an apartment, superbly furnished, was prepared at the residence of Hafuz-Pasha for the fu- ture bride and bridegroom. I went to see the young lady, to ascertain whether she had procured suitable wedding attire. I took with me a skilled Greek wom- an, who dyed her hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes black, and this, added to the natural fairness of her skin, gave her a very agreeable appearance. In spite of this precaution, I had some fear as to the result; indeed Gueuziuklu-RéshidPasha had threatened to discard his wife after the very first night if he did not find her to his taste, and to make serious complaint of the matter both to my husband and myseM'. rI‘he next morning Gueuz]uklu-Réshid-Pasha came to the house, and, so far from making any complaint, high- ]y commended my choice. He appeared well satisfied with the charms of his bride. Some time afterward he was appointed to the com- 88 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM mand of a military expedition sent out to reduce the Koords to submission. When he set forth on this en- terprise he took his Wife With him7 and so pleased was he With her that he never cast her off, nor took any oth- er Wife in addition. On his death, Which occurred at Bagdad in 1864, he left her a considerable fortune. CHARA CTER 01+? THE SULTAN. 89 CHAPTER V. Olzaracter 0f Sultan AbduZ-Medjid.—History (3f Besmé-Hanum.— Disgrace of MehemetaPash(6,—M’g/ wretched Condition after his Degradation. HIS former superior having departed, my husband had over him no longer a friend, but an enemy, their political opinions being different. The chiefs successively in com- mand belonged, in fact, to a court clique, composed of worthless and corrupt individuals. There was first a son- in-law 0f the late Sultan Mahmud, Mehemet-Ali-Pasha7 and then came Riza—Pasha, fermerly Chamberlain t0 the late Sultan. Both of them hid the real state of affairs from Abdul—Medjid, their sole care being to augment their fortunes. On the contrary,Mehemet-Pasha was contented with his rights, and tried by every means to ameliorate the condition of his country. Ahdui-Medjid, when he came to the throne, had ap- plied himself ardentiy to the furtherance of the eivilizing movement inaugurated by his predecessor, Mahmud. He saw plainly that the old system threatened the empire with certain ruin. It was, in fact, entirely based upon the formidable militia forces Of the J anizaries~men 0f indomitable courage and of unbounded devotion to the interests of the nation, and whose authority kept the peo- ple in complete subjection. Unhappily, they were not content to play a subordinate part to the Sultan; they wished to be his masters, and it was this that worked their destruction. W'hen once this militia was put down, 40 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. means must be found of giving a new basis to the Otto- man organization. The Sultan thought that this could only be obtained through the reform of abuses. Of a character extremely gentle, and little formed for strife, Abdul-Medjid met With invincible resistance to the execution of his designs from the old Mussulman party, very numerous to this day, but at that time represented by an immense majority, both among the Government officials and the people, who believed the safety of the empire to consist in the rigorous application of Moham- medan principles, the abasement ofinfidels, and their ex- termination both at home and abroad. The Sultan, paralyzed in regard to his projects relative to internal administration, was thrown into consternation at the progress Which foreign policy was making at this epoch, in seeking to profit by all the misdeeds of the Ot- toman Government toward Christian populations, by eX- tending dominion over them. In utter despair, he ‘saw that his efforts would be powerless to retard the fall of the power of the Osmanlis. His ministers, far from endeavoring to revive his hopes, persuaded him to forget, in sensual delights, the sombre thoughts that assailed him. “You are our Sul- tan,” they would say; “ to you belong repose and pleas- ures; the hustle and fatigue of public affairs are our por- tion.” “While speaking thus, they made it a rule to of— fer their master as frequently as possible the most sump- tuous repasts, at Which they induced him to drink copi- ously; in this manner they habituated him to the im- moderate use of wine and other strong drink, and led him to abandon to themselves the reins of government. They also endeavored to distract him from public af- .=rv -— E ABD UL-MEDJID. 41 fairs, by favoring his natural taste for luxury and dissi- pation. They provided him with as much money as he asked for, knowing that they could have their own way' as long as the sovereign7 confining himself to his palace, knew nothing of what was passing out-of‘doors, except through their own reports. The Sultan’s love for his wives—and very numerous they were—was ruining the country. They contrived at once to gratify their capriees, whatever might be their object. They availed themselves of it to obtain from him the most costly presents. Covered with diamonds, and attended by numerous slaves, almost as sumptuous- ]y attired as their mistresses, they drove out in ,carriages, each of which, with its equipments, costs about 900,000 piastres (£8000). Their apartments were Constantly re- plenished with new furniture. In the space of two years the seraglio was furnished about four times over. Far from recompensing their master for his kindnesses by their fidelity, they were seen driving about, almost entirely unveiled, and conversing with the young men in the most lively manner. At night, sitting at their windows, they accosted the passers~by, and introduced them into the palace. Those who were without para- mours formed quite the exception. Frequently the fa- vors of one of the Sultan’s 'wives, or odalisques, were at- tended with bounties and presents big enough to make the fortune of him who received it. In fact, these worn- en were utterly regardless of the costliness of what they bestowed; it was a regular case of pillage. The Sultan, who was of a kindliness of disposition carried to the very verge of weakness, refused to credit the reports that reached him, either against those whom 42 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. he loved or any other lady. If he paid little attention to what was told him against his wives, he was so ready, on the other hand, to listen to the latter, that he could deny them nothing. It was sufficient to be, or be ac- quainted with, the favorite of one of the ladies of the se- raglio, to arrive at wealth or one of the highest dignities. The Valideh-Sultan, the mother of the sovereign, was the most powerful of all, and far surpassed all the other la- dies of the palace by her libertinism and thirst for pow— er. Judge what consequences such a system must pro- duce throughout the whole range of administration. The way Abdul-Medjid behaved to Besmé-Hanum, one of his wives, will show how far he pushed his weak- ness. Having gone one day to pay a Visit to Missirli- Hanum, widow of the famous Ibrahim, Pasha of Egypt, he perceived a slave whose beauty made so lively an im- pression on his heart that he had only one desire—to gain possession of her. She, informed of the passion with which her charms had inspired him, refused to become the Sultan’s concu- bine. She would not consent to hearken to his address- es unless he would take her to wife. At this reply the Padishah was greatly embarrassed. His power, great as it was, availed not to compel a slave to yield to his de- sires (the slaves are of much less consequence than might be supposed); on the other hand, a Sultan had never contracted marriage; in taking a wife, he was violating all established usages. _ His passion and his character coming to his aid, Ab- dul—Medjid decided on the pleasant course; he consent- ed to marry the object of his affections. Their nuptials were celebrated with dazzling magnificence, and—a rare BESflIE—HANUM 48‘ thing with an Ottoman sovereign—he proved faithful. He not only loved his wife, but esteemed her. He went so far as to confide to her his own son, a boy of about seven years old, whose mother was dead. The Sultana, instead of responding to the passionate love which had been testified for her, preferred to en- gage in intrigues with the humblest servants in the pal- ace gardeners, porters, etc. Inspired with jealousy, she regarded with hatred the infant whose young age and rank she ought to have respected. She saw in him an insurmountable obstacle in this respect, that, if she gave birth to a son, her offspring could never reign. She in- cessantly maltreated the young prince; she went so far as to bite him severely in the arm. No one dared to in- form his majesty of what was taking place; enamored as Abdul-Medjid was, he might refuse to believe what was told him, and then woe to the informer! A faithful servant, however, found an opportunity of making known to his master the state of affairs, without compromising himself. Being occasionally employed to divert the Sultan with the entertainment called the Kara-Gheuz (theatre of Chinese shadows), he had the privilege of composing small pieces. He availed him« self of this license to represent before his sovereign a kind of comedy, in which the leading characters were an amorous sultan who marries a slave, and a sultana who prostitutes her favors to the lowest servants of her house- hold, and ill-treats the heir to the throne, ending by kill- ing him, and being forgiven by her weak and infatuated husband. AbduI-Medjid understood the allusion. He sent for the young prince, questioned him, drew from him the 44 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. avowal of his sufferings, and discovered on his person the marks of the cruel treatment which he had under— gone. The reader, perhaps, supposes that, infuriated with jealousy, and indignant at the conduct of Besmé toward his son; he had her sewn up in a sack and thrown into the sea. Far from it. Temperate even in his rage, he sent for the Valideh-Sultan, and, without giving any mo- tive for his conduct, he ordered her to have Besmé-Ha- num, together with all the riches he had heaped upon her, sent away on the morrow in a pleasure-galley which he had presented to her. Onee outside the seraglio, this woman continued, with revolting effrontery, the series of her misdeeds. Having openly formed intimate relations with a certain Tefik- Pasha, she succeeded in getting herself married to him, braving the displeasure 0f the Padishah. This is the first case recorded in Ottoman history where the wife of a Sultan has intermarried with an ordinary mortal. The Pasha in question, notwithstanding his very lim- ited salary, passed his life in the midst of amusements7 contracted debts, and swindled all who had any dealings With him. Tefik’s rash conduct was natural] y calculated to bring upon him the anger of Abdul-Medjid, and the scorn of his faithful subjects. It is true that the unhappy'man was the Victim of a Violent passion, for he loved Besme to distraction; but the Turks are inexorable toward trea- sonable offenses. To take a woman to wife who had been kept by the representative of Mohammed is to them a kind of religious and political saerilege. It was not long before Tefik-Pasha eXpiated his crime by a premature death. This capital penalty was exact- TEFIK ’S DEA TE 45 ed With all the ingenuity and circumspection of Which Oriental diplomacy is capable. At first Abdul-Medjid made a show of regarding With an indifferent eye the marriage of his former Wife; and he even carried the deception so far as to give up to Besmé one of the palaces belonging to the crown. Hav- ing thus succeeded in bringing about a change in public opinion7 the Sultan, under an entirely futile pretext, eX- iled both Besmé and her husband to Brussn. There Te- fik would, undoubtedly, have been made away With, but caution was necessary,’and it was decided to make the unhappy Pasha. return to Constantinople to drink hem- lock. Tefik therefore received a pardon, and returned to Constantinople, Where he died a few months after- ward. The former caresses and the latter pardon pro- duced the desired effect, for no one ever suspected the cause of Tefik’s death. Besmé was therob‘ject 0f the im- perial clemency, and her life was spared. At the period of my marriage Riza-Pasha was Minis- ter for War, and Mehernet-Ah-Pasha commander at T0- phané; my husband served under the latter. These two came to an understanding with several other officials of high rank, and induced the Sultan to accept an invita- tion to the Seraskeriate, the residence of the Minister for War; Their object was to prejudice their'sovereign against Mehemet-Pasha and his political friends. “ You ought,” said they to his highness, in the course of the entertainment, “to purge the army of certain incompe- tent officers, Who occupy important posts without doing any service. Mehemet-Pasha, for instance7 gives himself up to culpable idleness; and, more than that, his arro- gance is most overbearing, and his Character rude and 46 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. obstinate. He sets an example of failure of respect to- ward his superiors, and we think that his degradation, and that of others like him, would be a wholesome eX- ample to the army; it would afford an opportunity of replacing inefficient officers by men of more energy, and endued with the zeal and knowledge necessary for com- mand.” ' As we have seen, the ministers had habituated their master to excess in drink. Whenever they wanted to get any thing out of him, they took care to ply him with wine to such a degree that he was no longer in complete possession of his faculties. This plan they adopted at the banquet in question, so Abdul—Medjid re- plied that they had his entire confidence, and that he ap- proved beforehand 0f the course they were going to take. On the morrow the degradation of twelve generals was proclaimed, my husband being of the number. Before we had learned any thing of what was going on, the Se- raskier sent to demand from Mehemet-Pasha the surren- der of his sword, and his decoration in diamonds, the distinctive marks of his dignity. This was a terrible blow, which our enemies dealt him to effect the ruin of both of us. After some time we left the rented house which we had occupied, and purchased a new residence. One-half 0f the price, about 20,000 francs (£800), was paid through the sale of what little property we had left. This house contained tWenty-seven apartments, but required many repairs, having been built more than one hundred and twenty years before. The reception-rooms were lighted by fourteen windows, arranged in two rows, one» above the other, the upper bei n g filled withsmail stained glass. OUR SAD CONDITION. 47 In the center of the largest room was a handsome fount- ain, open to the air, and entirely of white marble; the spacious and magnificent bath, of the same material, had cost upward of 40,000 francs (£1600). Our furniture was barely sufficient to furnish two chambers in the harem and one in the selamlik, or men’s quarters. ~ The garden, in which there was a pretty kiosque, was planted with abundance of shrubs, flowers, and fruit trees, as various as they were rare. The purchase of this house had exhausted all our re- sources. Consequent on his degradation, Mehernet-Pa- sha’s salary was reduced to 800 francs (£12) a month; all the ordinary allowances of fuel, rice, oats, bread, and other things which constitute the wealth of an officer’s household, were stopped. We found ourselves exposed to the claims of workmen whom we had employed on improvements absolutely necessary to render some of the rooms habitable. All this placed us in a situation. of great embarrassment, notwithstanding that two black slaves formed our entire domestic establishment. Claims became more and more pressing. We had no means of satisfying them, and they reached such a point that my husband was obliged to conceal himself when- ever creditors presented their appearance at his door. As we lived in a Somewhat remote quarter7 they general- ly came mounted on asses. As soon as the step of one of these animals was heard, Mehemet~Pasha shut himself up in a elOset. The creditor, having asked to see the master of the house, and been told in reply that he was not at home, proceeded to seek for him all over, and to shout out demands for payment. \Ve used to hear, of , 48 THIRTY YEARS IN TIIE IIAREM course, their abuses and harsh words, but we. endured all these humiliations without a word. My sole consolation, under these annoyances, was in the society of the ladies of the neighborhood, who often paid me Visits to soothe my vexation. One of the most assiduous callers was the daughter of an old Rauf-Pasha, who had been nine or ten times grand vizier. Barely three feet high, she had extremely small eyes, and, to crown her defects, her chin wagged incessantly. She told me her history, and I think I shall entertain my readers by relating it here: “My father married four wives in succession—three Circassians and a Georgian; and they presented him with a numerous family. But my mother (wife No. 1) never had any child but myself. She displayed great disap- pointment on seeing me grow up to be what I am, since all the rest of the Pasha’s offspring were well-grown, and endowed with good looks. I have seen all my brothers and sisters united, one after another, to the families of ministers, generals, and other high functionaries: it seem- ed impossible that I could ever find a husband. “In the mean time, however, a certain, old governor died, leaving an only son, a very good-looking youth, named Mustapha-Bey, to whom he left nothing but a di- lapidated mansion. He, finding himself bereft of all re- sources, resolved to marry some one whose family was in a position to further his career in public life. He there- fore engaged the services of an old'woman, who suggest- ed to him that he should take me for his wife. When my father heard of this extravagant project he was great- 1y astonished at it, and could not refrain from expressing the scorn which he felt for the young man, who, from THE VIZIER ’3 DA UGHTER. 4:9 motives of ambition, was willing to take such a woman as myself. He declared that he would give nothing for such a marriage. “ My mother, anxious to see me provided for, as were . the daughters of her rivals, summoned her future son- in-law, and told him that her husband would grant no dowry to his daughter. As the suitor had not calcula- ted on money, he agreed without hesitation to take me to wife. Although no mystery had been made with him about my insignificant stature, he was far from suspecting that I was of such singular plainness as he beheld the moment he raised my veil. “Driven to desperation, he left me at home, and went off immediately to join the army. He had no relation among the superior officers, but as they were aware that he was the son of a governor, and the son-in-law of a grand vizier, they promoted him rapidly, thinking by that means to pay their court to the father-in-law. This young man had seen six months’ service when the title of 663/ (colonel) was conferred upon him; shortly after- ward he received his nominations as Ziwa (general of brigade); and scarcely three years had elapsed when he was promoted, first to the rank offerilc (general of divis- ion), and then to that of mushz'r (field-marshal). To earn all these distinctions, he had nothing to do but to stay quietly at home, drinking, smoking, and sleeping. “Seeing that it was on account of his wife that such great advantages were accordecl him, he became recon- ciled to me; we live on very good terms, and I am now quite satisfied with my lot. You see,” she added, to com- fort me, “that after finding myself most wretched when my husband had deserted me, I have now every thing 3 50 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. that I can wish for. Do not be discouraged ; perhaps your present embarrassments will be succeeded by an unlooked-for turn of fortune.” While speaking to me in these terms, the poor lady little suspected that the husband with whom she was so well pleased had taken a house, where he used to goon the sly7 and divert himself with the society of two young slaves whom he had purchased. In spite of the privations which our narrow circum- stances imposed upon me, I was not so despondent as might be imagined; rny attachment to my husband suf— ficed to make me forget both our debts and our penury. As for Mehemet-Pasha, he was completely broken down; his evil fortune so affected him that he fell ill, and though he recovered by slow degrees, his health was never completely reestablished. Knowing what abrupt changes take place in Turkey, where the same capriee that has brought you low may replace you on the highest pinnacle of greatness, I en- deavored, but in vain, to console him. “One day the privileges of which you have been deprived will be re- stored to you,” I said; “ to-day our enemies triumph, but they will not be always in power. Take care of your health, and do not abandon yourself to these despairing thoughts; otherwise, when you are again received into favor, you will be suffering from the consequences which illnesses leave behind them, and then you will be unable to enjoy in peace the good things that fortune will offer you.” The master of the household was not the only one to disorder himself. The two black slaves, of one of whom I was extremely fond, and one of whom was an Abyssin- OUR SAD CONDITION. 51 ian of great beauty, were so deeply touched at the sight of our sufferings that they contracted a. fatal sickness Which carried them off in the course of one and the same month. I remained alone With two young chil- dren Whom I then had. \Vhile my husband was confined to his bed by rheu- matism, my little boy, Moharem-Bey, fell sick and died. His father felt such grief at his loss, that, in his despair, he beat his head against the wall. For my part, I as- sumed a delusive tranquillity, and, concealing the agony I endured, I strove, to the utmost of my power, to raise my husband’s spirits. 52 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. CHAPTER VI. I o'esolve to Petition R’iza-Pasha in Favor (3f my Husband.———I obtain for him the Command of Ahiah.——Shortly afterwawd he is ap- pointed Governor qf Jerusalem—OW Journey from Ahéah to that City. WE continued for two Whole years in the unhappy condition Which the degradation of my husband had brought about. At the end of this period I resolved to call on Riza-Pasha. “ Your highness,” said I, “I am the Wife of Mehemet-Pasha. For three years past he has been oppressed by claims of every description ; so great is his despair on seeing himself deprived of every re- source, and rendered Wholly incapable of supplying the wants of his family, that his life is in danger. I am come to demand from you the reason of such disgrace. If capriee has been the only motive, then a fresh exer- cise of good pleasure may restore to him the employ- ment he has lost.” “Madam,” replied the .Seraskier, “the recall of Mehemet-Pasha was caused by the insub- ordiuate language Which he sometimes indulged in re- garding certain persons in high station, of whom he should have spoken with great reserve.” “ That,” I re- plied, “would scarcely have called for a punishment of from fifteen to twenty days, and certainly does not merit so great an infliction as to be given up for two years to all the sufferings Which poverty brings in its train. Your excellency,” I added, “it is in vain for you to con- ceal from me the true cause of my husband’s disgrace. PETITION TO RIZA-PASHA. 53 His enemies are enemies to me; filled with hatred, they wished to destroy us because they saw us happy. It is on my account that my husband is persecuted, and for no other reason. If my enemies thirst for my blood, let them attack me openly and frankly; but I must say that it is unworthy of the Imperial Government to re- fuse its protection to a woman who has sought refuge beneath the shadow of the throne. Pray, therefore, give my husband some situation which will allow him to meet his duties as father of a family: if, however, your excellency is determined not to employ him, at least re- store him to part of the salary which has been with- drawn. I am determined not to go hence until you have acceded to my demands.” He returned me no answer; I therefore remained at his house, in a chamber which his favorite wife, Sera’ili- Hanum, had provided for me in the suite reserved for herself. Morning and night I went to renew my appli- cation to Riza-Pasha. In the mean time7 I had left with my husband a personal friend to take care of him. On the tenth day the Seraskier cried out, as soon as he saw me: “I see you are a determined woman, and it will be impossible to escape from you. To satisfy you, I ap- point Mehemet - Pasha governor of Akiah (St. Jean d’Aere); he will receive his nomination without delay ” (1843). .The commission was sent us shortly afterward, but we could not leave Constantinople without satisfying our ereditors-7 and, moreover7 we wanted money for the jour- ney. I went a second time to Riza-Pasha, who granted us funds for the expenses of our departure and the pay- ment of our debts. Still the amount allowed was very 54 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. moderate; and, after converting all our furniture into money, and paying our creditors, my husband had bare- ]y enough left for his own expenses, and found it impos- sible to take me with him. I remained, therefore, at Constantinople, at the house of one of his friends. At the end of eight months Me- hemet Pasha sent his cavasbaschi (chief of the cavas, or police) to escort me to his quarters, together with my daughter Aisheh, then two years old. I purchased a slave; we set. out for Beyrout, and, on our arrival, took a sailing vessel, which landed us at Akiah. The Pasha was waiting for us with an escort. The town, built entirely of mud (132196), presented a de- plorable aspect. The houses, low and covered with mats, looked like the ruins of a confiagration. That which was called the palace—the governor’s residence— also of mud, contained two chambers; that on the upper story was reached by means of a staircase outside the building; when it rained, the water soaked through the roof. Two other rooms, situated in the garden, served as my husband’s government offices. The population was Arab. These creatures, natural- ]y thieves and cheats, carried habits of uneleanness to the most extreme degree. The only tolerable place in the whole town was the palace of Abdallah-Pasha, then away at Constantinople, the garden of which, planted with orange-trees, Citron, olives, palms, and other Orient- al trees, was the only promenade, and the most Beautiful spot in the neighborhood. As will readily be seen, the post, though defended by imposing fortifications, did not offer many advantages, nor many opportunities of enjoy- ment. J 0 URNE Y T 0 JER USALEJI. 55 After we had been there three months, a messenger, arriving at night, announced to my husband that he had been nominated to the command of Jerusalem, with the rank of Mali, or governor. We set off on our journey thither soon afterward. In going from Akiah to Jerusalem, we had to traverse an extremely poverty-stricken country. The sheiks of the several villages came on horseback, making profound bows as they raised themselves in the stirrups, but none of them ventured to cast their eyes on the litter in which I was seated. This modesty,rea1 or’assumed, is one of the Characteristics of Oriental etiquette and manners. XVhiie the sheiks were thus passing in review before us, their escorts received us with the sound of tambwas, amidst various evolutions performed by the dehlz's, 0r braves of the'troop. As for the lodging accommodation placed at our disposal, throughout our route, in the dif- ferent Villages, all I can say is that we were lodged in frightful hovels, infested with vermin. \Ve were obliged to content ourselves with the food prepared for the in- habitants. It is impossible to mention what refinement of nastiness formed a leading feature in this horrible cuisine. The only place at all suitable that we met with on our route was J afih, where we spent some days. We staid at the palace of the governor, Mustapha-Bey, who lodged us in his kiosque, which was surrounded by eight gardens planted with orange and other trees, that filled the air with their delicious perfume. I remained there while my husband turned his time to account by Visiting the neighborhood; for, in the capacity of waZz' of J erusaiem, he held command over the whole province, or mlag/et, and the mudir of J affa was under his control. 56 TIIIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJI. In the mean time the neighboring Arabs found out that the Pasha had gone from home,1eaving his harem at J affix. My husband had given me for my protection two hundred misracks, or lancers of .the irregular forces, commanded by a deltZy-baschz', literally, “ head of the mad- men.” This officer, wearing red morocco boots, his 10ins enveloped in a large shawl, and a gigantic turban on his head, always placed himself, on the march, at the head of his troop of horse. These two hundred men were en- camped around the kiosque'where I was living with my daughter, four female slaves, and a eunuch. One night I had a stone which, passing through the opening in the roof (for the houses in this country were not closed in above), fell in the hall which surrounded our apartments. This was, repeated twice; I then got up, and told the eunuch to go and inform the dehiy-baschi of what had taken place. “ Tell your mistress not to be alarmed,” he replied; “ there is in this garden the tomb of a holy personage Who has an antipathy to the people of Constantinople; every time they come into this kiosque he makes stones fall in this manner. This will continue all the time you are living here, but if you do not go into the hall these stones will not harm you.” The eunuch having returned with this reply, I wrap- ped myself in aferadje, veiled myself with my yas/zmak, went in quest of the dehly-baschi, and told him that I cer- tainly did not believe it was a dead man who threw the stones, and that he must go the round, and see whether he could not discover some thief concealed on the prem— ises. He took with him several of his men, and, accom- panied by the eunuch, we went over the gardens in eV- J 0 URNE’ Y T 0 JER USALEM. 5 7 ery direction Without finding any thing suspicious. Scareely had I re-entered my kiosque, When I was aroused by another missile. From the manner in Which it was sent, it must have been a man armed With a sling ' Who had hurled it over the roof. In the morning I summoned the governor’s Wife, and told her that, being greatly afraid of dead men, I would stay there no longer. I wrote to my husband to inform him of What had taken place, and to ask him to come and take me away. He directed me to go and wait for him at Ramleh, and he would rejoin me there. Before I left Jaffa, the mudir’s Wife sent me a present of a pair of ear—rings of brilliants and emeralds, and up- ward of 3000 francs (£120) in gold. “If you refuse my trifling gifts,” she said, “I shall think you are dissatisfied With us, and that you design to send another governor to Jafl’a.” I thereupon accepted her offerings. Before we left Constantinople, Reshid-Pasha, my hus- band’s patron, whose sentiments he shared7 had spoken to me in the following terms: “You are going to Ara- bia: do not, I beseech you, accept any present. We have promised upon oath that nothing more shall be re- ceived by the governors and other officials on the part of their subordinates. I trust, therefore, that you Will give no cause of complaint on that score.” “Surely not,” I replied; “my husband shall not re- ceive any present, since you have forbidden him; but you can not oblige me to refuse What the ladies may choose to offer me; that has nothing to do with politics or With the administration.” “ Of course not,” he rejoined, with a smile. Mehemet-Pasha therefore refused all the presents that U 7' 58 THIRT Y YEARS IN THE JIAJEEM’. were offered to him; and, when this was ascertained, they were always sent to me. _ Shortly after receiving the adieus of the family of the Mudir of Jaffe, I left that place, and betook myself to Ramleh, where Mehemet-Pasha was awaiting me, With a numerous escort, formed of the authorities of various towns subject to his authority; and so we continuedour journey to Jerusalem. THE JlIOS Q UE 0F HAREJI—SC’HERIR 59 CHAPTER VII. 0m“ Entry into Jemsalemg—Im Inhabitarnts.—How I set about get- ting Ofers of Presents—Easten—A Go‘eek Conspiracy.—I enter upon a Speculation in the Grain Trade. HALF a league from Jerusalem we were met by a reg‘ iment ’of infantry, headed by its band, and a crowd of inhabitants who had come to congratulate the new Pasha. \Ve entered the city amidst the roar of artil- lery, and proceeded to the palace, which contained only ' four or five chambers in the harem, and three for the selamlik, which was below the women’s apartments. Facing our residence was the mosque called Harem- Scherif, in which is preserved the stone whereon Mo- hammed is said to have set his foot when the angels had transported him to Jerusalem 0n the night of his ascen- sion to heaven. This stone, about twelve feet high, was raised aloft at the moment that the prophet left the earth, and it has remained suspended ever since, I have indeed seen it; but as it is quite close to the wall, and it is impossible to get round it, it may very probably be supported by some clever contrivance. At the back of this mosque is a street where they show you a very thick piece of marble, into which, they assure you, the Virgin Mary was consigned immediately after her birth. In that locality is also to be seen the Golden Gate, through which, according to Moslem tradition, all men are to pass on the resurrection-day. The town of Jerusalem consists of narrow, crooked, 6O THIRTY YEARS IN TILE HAREIFI. and dirty streets; it is only remarkable for its antiqui— ties. The climate is very agreeable; neither too hot in summer, nor too cold in winter. It may be compared to that of Nice. The inhabitants, for the most part Arabs, are very troublesome to manage. They have no lack of intelli- gence, as is shown by their countenances, but they are great cheats and robbers, and do not scruple to commit murder. When they think they have a favorable op- portunity, they arrange their plans together, sally forth from the City to the number of forty or fifty, and set to work waylaying and robbing travelers, sacking Viilages, and committing other depreciations. rI‘hey are objects of abhorrence to the TurksZ who regard them as mis- creants. Instead of submitting quietly to the levy of taxes, and contributing readily, they only pay under the stimulus of the bastinado. As soon as they can secure a certain livelihood, they take three or four wives; the very poorest have at least two. They lead them wretched lives. Besides being excessively j ealous, they are such violent characters that they are constantly beating their wives, It is true‘that three or four rivals, with their children, all living with one husband in one room, huddled together like beasts, can not be expected to exist on the best of terms with one another. ' There were three principal eonvents in Jerusalem at that period—the Franciscan, the Greek, and the Arme- nian. No repairs nor any Change could be effected in either of them without the permission of the Pasha; and be, having pledged himself to accept no presents, was never in a hurry to accede to their demands; so the a JER USALEM. 61 good fathers adopted the expedient of applying to me, and endeavoring to secure my favor in their interest. One or‘ other of these bodies would send. me, sometimes a beautiful watch, sometimes a diamond pin or a pearl necklace; infaot, they seemed to be rivaling each other in their mania for making presents. The Franciscans, though such a thing had never been done before for any Turkish woman, invited me to a. collation. I went; sixty young girls were drawn up in line at the door of the monastery. The fathers of the convent of the Holy Land came out to meet me; they laid before me a magnificent banquet; afterward one of the priests played the organ, while the others accompa- nied him with their chants. The J ews, as natural, remained at the tail of the presents-offering multitude. The steward of our house- hold, a man who knew the secret of extracting money from people’s pockets, came one day to say that, if I pleased, he would find the means of getting me far more from the J ews than I had obtained from all the others. “ Do whatever you think fit,” I replied. He went, upon this, and told the rabbis that he warn- ed them, in their own interest, the governor intended to make them take away an enormous heap of rubbish that impeded the traffic in the neighboring streets, and had been accumulating, for probably forty years, at the back of one of their synagogues. “I fear,” added the crafty steward, “that you will only be allowed one day to effect its removal.” At this news the Jews were thrown into consterna- tion. “Alas!” they cried, “it is impossible to remove such 62 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJII. a mass in. less than several months’ labOr, and without great expense; but, my friend,” said they to their in- formant, “there is surely some means of appeasing your master.” “N 0,” he replied; “he is inaccessible to every influ- ence; but, if you will listen to a friend, I will tell you that the best intercessor with the Pasha is his wife.” “Ah! what good advice you give us!” they exclaim- ed; “ we know now how to escape from the fatal diffi- culty which, no doubt, some enemy of ours has sug- gested to the governor,” On the morrow they sent me a beautiful casket, con- taining several peaaneckIaees, and 10,000 francs in gold: it need not be said that they never heard any thing more about the nuisance, or its removal. On‘another occasion the same steward informed me that one of the judges had been guilty of numerous ex- actions7 and that, with my approbation, he would squeeze him a little and obtain from him a present. “ What will you do ?” I asked. “Very little. It will be sufficient,” replied the stew- ard, “ to tell the judge that the governor desires to speak to him.” Accordingly he called on the magistrate, who, feeling that his conscience was by no means clear, was greatly- alarmed at such a summons. “ Oh,” he cried, “ those who administer j ustice are sore- ly exposed to the risk of displeasing folks. «I am sure that some one has been making mischief about me with his excellency. What can I do to appease him ‘3” “You know,”rep1ied the smart steward, “that it is impossible to bend him; but if you are willing to believe A MA GNIFIOENT PRESENT. 63 me, and to charm away the danger that menaees you, address yourself to his wife. She alone has any influ- ence over him.” Next day the judge’s wife hastened to pay her court to me, and laid at my feet a magnificent present, worth upward of 40,000 francs. “Pray,” said she, with a submissive air, “do me the favor to accept what I offer you; if you refuse me, I shall see that you desire my ruin; if, on the contrary, you keep this little present, that will be as much as to say that you approve of my humble service. I shall have no longer any thing to fear from any one, if you once grant me your protection.” All this took place unknown to the governor. In a short time I amassed property to the value of upward of four hundred thousand francs, partly in specie, partly in jewelry and trinkets of every description. This course of aetion was suggested by the remembrance of previous reverses. It appeared to me that, at any moment, we might find ourselves anew in the painful situation from Which we had emerged so suddenly. In a country where one has no recognized rights and no security, it is necessary to take precautions against the reverses of fortune. Not wishing to remain shut up in the town, I had a magnificent taktaravan, or palanquin, made for me, of red velvet fringed with gold. Accompanied by slaves and eunuehs, and escorted by a troop of about two hun~ dred misraehs7 I used to go out beyond the walls once a week and pass the day on some elevated spot in the suburbs, from’whieh I enjoyed a View of the country, While I occupied my time in reading or in some fem- 64 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IJAREJJ.~ inine handiwork. The musliets of the escort, piled like fascines in order around me, formed a barrier against the importunate attentions of the natives, Who frequently came in great numbers to look at me. I had formed a friendship with the wife of the Greek consul at J affa, who had come to pass the season at J eru- salem. She frequently visited me, and I eonversed fa- miliarly with her on all subjects in which I took an in- terest. Young, a native of Athens, and of lively tem- perament, I found great pleasure in seeing her, and in talking with her in the Greek language. This lady, feeling highly honored by the friendship which I dis- played for her, plumed herself greatly on it before her husband, and warmly eulogized my spirit, and my readi- ness in speaking the Greek, Italian, Turkish, and French languages. The consul, a man of high spirit, like most Greeks, and, moreover, somewhat addicted to intemperance, took a fancy to me, from his wife’s account, and conceived a Violent desire to see me. The lady told me the state of affairs: “ My husband,” said she, “ despairs of finding an opportunity of Speaking to you; he is sometimes so fu- rious on that account that he breaks every thing in the house.” \Ve both made merry and joked over this whim of the consul, but the whim soon turned out a serious affair. , One day, when, having gone beyond the walls of Je- rusalem, I‘ was seated on a, neighboring eminence, sur- rounded by the arms of my escort, I saw a Greek ap- proaching, dressed in his national costume—high cap, jacket of red cloth, embroidered with gold and elegant fustanelle. It was the consul in question. THE GREEK CONSPIRACY. 65 Addressing the dehiy-baschi, he said that, the Pasha being away, he desired to hand me an important docu- ment, which it was urgently necessary that my husbaml should receive. He was allowed to come Within the barrier, and gave me the dispatch. I at once replied that I would give it to my husband, and that he might withdraw. Seeing the numbers that were present, he did not dare to stay, and took his leave forthwith. I related to the Pasha all that had passed. ' For some time afterward I saw no more of the Greek lady, and thought nothing further of her or her husband, when, one morning, I saw Mehemet-Pasha coming in a furious passion, holding in his hand an open letter, Which he laid before me. It was from the eonsul’s Wife, informing him that her husband had con- ceived such a Violent inclination for me that he was re- solved to carry me off With the assistance of two hundred of his feHOW-countrymen resident at J erusalem, Who would think they were doing a praiseworthy action in rescuing a Christian woman from the hands of a Turk. Persuaded that it was utterly impossible that such a project could be successful, and that it could not fail to bring great trouble upon its authors, and, above all, upon her husband, she had resolved, she said, to reveal the Whole plot to the governor. The perusal of this letter afforded me the utmost sur- prise, but, Without showing the least concern, I remarked to Mehemet-Pasha: “Well; you know all about it; it is this crazy Greek of Whom I told you before.” “Let him be as crazy as you please, he and his worthy accomplices shall learn of what I am capable.” 66 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. For several days the Pasha treated me with excessive coldness. I was afraid that, on my account, he would take some fatal resolution, and that jealousy would prompt him to suspect that, being a Christian, I had formed an intrigue with an infidel. I reassured myself, however; for,short1y afterward, I learned that the governor’s wrath was turned against the Greeks. He had committed to prison a great many of those resident in Jerusalem, and placed a seal upon their houses. Persons were sent to the country-house where the consul was staying, to keep watch over him. The charge was that of plotting against the Pasha. In his opinion, this scheme, set on foot by the Greek consul, was no other than a conspiraoy, of which the principal authors were my enemies at Constantinople. It was natural that, finding I had become rich and powerful, they should be biting their nails with vexation, and should have attempted to cause my ruin. The governor lodged a complaint in high quarters. It was only after the recall of the consul by'the Court of Athens, and on the entreaty of the Greek patriarch, that he consented to restore the prisoners to liberty. Easter was then approaching; before this festival the Pasha was accustomed to send to all the Mnssulmans in the neighborhood, no matter whether they were highway robbers, assassins, or charged with other orimes,1etters of safe-conduct to admit them into the city during the fete. He acted thus in order to make the number of Mussulmans present as large as possible, and to keep in subjection the Christians, who came in crowds to take part in the religious ceremonies pertaining to the season. On Palm-Sunday I saw, through my window-Iattioe7 EASTER A T JER USALEJI. 6 T the inhabitants of various Villages in the neighborhood marching past. Each township formed a kind of pro- cession; men playing on tamburas led the way, then fol- lowed the sheiks, clashing huge cymbals, and after them the populace, both Mussulmans and Christians, bearing palm branches in their hands. It happened that year (18%)) that the different relig- ious communities celebrated Easter on the same day. The Turkish troops occupied the old Church of the Holy Sepulohre, under the command in chief of the governor. From a gallery protected by gratings, for the wives of the principal Mussulman authorities, we could see all that tool: place in the basilica. In a moment innumera- ble lamps illuminated with their dazzling lights every part of the edifice. In the first place, the Catholics celebrated the sacrifice of the mass; then followed the Greeks. After the latter had terminated their religious chants, the priests made the circuit of the Holy Sepnlohre. The moment the clay broke, a fire shot up from beneath the tomb, and blazed for awhile over it. The Greeks cried out that it was the Holy Spirit that caused those flames to ap- pear, and they lighted their candles at them. Men and women alike applied these candles to various parts of their bodies afflicted with any complaint, in the belief that they would thus heal themselves. Several were se- riously burned; but such was their fanaticism, that those who suffered most cried out the loudest that the heaven- ly fire could cause no pain. At this moment a Violent quarrel arose between the Greeks and the members of another communion, who pretended that the former ought to leave the church, 68 TIJIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREZIL their time having expired. Both parties, seizing large tapers, dealt each other violent blows with these novel weapons. The eawas and the military interfered, and arrested fifty of the ringleaders. The Pasha, wishing to learn the real state of the case as to the apparition of the flames, threatened the priests that they should be excluded from the Holy Sepulchre, unless they would reyeal to him the cause of this mys- terious fire. They then showed him that a block of marble placed near the altar was raised, and that one of the priests, concealing himselfin a cavity designed for the express purpose, lit up some vessels filled with spirits of wine, the flames from which passed through several fissures in the marble flooring. It was impossible to dis- cover the mystery, as the priest only emerged from his hiding—place after every one had gone. It may easily be imagined to what an excess of en- thusiasm and frenzy such a proceeding can excite a su- perstitious people. ' A few days after the celebration, the Christians, both male and female, betake themselves to the Jordan, where they bathe, under the surveillance of the military. The popular tradition avers that every year one of the bath- ers is drowned, and that he or she is the most saintly of all the persons who perform that devotional ceremony. Those who have taken part in it preserve with care the garment that has been wetted in the waters of Jordan, and after death they are shrouded in it, and so laid in their coffins. . On the same day the Mussulmans go in crowds to the mountain on which Moses died. Here they pay their devotions, while their food is cooking on the black and PROFITS’ AND TRADE. 69 brilliant stones, Which burn like coal. Of these stones beautiful cups are made, on Which are inscribed sentences in Arabic; it is said that to drink out of such cups con- fers health and happiness. During these fétes I remained in the palace, Where the ladies of the principal dignitaries of the city came to call on me; it is usual in the East to do so at the time of the Chief solemnities of the year. My fair visitors belonged to the most diverse nationalities: Moors, With light hair and fair complexions; Arabs, With their expression full of pride; Georgians and Circassians, With regular and pleasing features. All brought their narghilés, 0r pipes; they seated themselves in a circle round me, and we passed our time agreeably, chatting together with the ut- most freedom; for all etiquette is banished from conver- sations among women. ’ Sometimes they spoke to me about their prote’gés. “Could you not contrive,” said one, “to procure my brother his exchange? he is ca'z'makam (lieutenant-colo- nel) of a sandjak (department), and I am very anxious to have him appointed to a better post.” “Perhaps,” add- ed another, “madame Will be able to get me the place of this caimakam, of Whom such complaints are made.” “It rests with you,’7 observed the first speaker, “to do me this service; I assure you that you won’t find us un- grateful; if you succeed, we Will give you a beautiful present.” To all this I gave no answer; but the next day I would call the steward or the secretary. “Such a per- son,” I would say7 “has been recommended to me, and I havea promise that my good offices shall not go un- . requited: do What you can to procure a favorable ex- 7 O THIRTY YEARS IN THE HARLEM change, and you shall have your share of Whatever I may receive.” The official Whom I thus addressed, knowing that his place depended upon me, would‘seize the first opportu- nity to speak to his master. “Your excellenoy,” he would say, “the ca’1’makam of such and such a sandjak is giving cause for much complaint; he is said to be acces- sible to bribes, and to be careless in the discharge of his duties.” “I have heard some reports about him, but I did not think they were serious.” “ These reports are, unhappily, too well founded; and, although they may be somewhat exaggerated, would it not be better to have, at so important a post, some person in whom you could place entire confidence? I know, for example, some one of the greatest zeal in your excel- lency’s service; he is thoroughly competent, and, if you Will allow him to wait upon you, I feel assured that you Will be pleased With him.” The interview being held and the Pasha satisfied, the exchange is effected, and I receive What has been prom- ised me. In two years I disposed in this manner of more than fifteen important posts in favor of persons Whom I had never even set eyes on. - Another means of procuring funds for myself was by engaging in commerce, a thing expressly forbidden to Pashas, but Which I carried on in person, without the in- tervention of the governor in any respect. The inhabitants are bound to furnish horses, mules, or camels for the public'servioe, and this Without any re- muneration. My agents demanded of the peasants, on my behalf, their beasts of burden ; and they fearing lest, PROFITS AND TRADE. 71 by a refusal, they should draw upon themselves the an- ger of the Pasha, lent the animals, which were employed in conveying from J affa the com I had purchased there. This was sold at Jerusalem at a considerable profit, al- though it was offered at a somewhat lower price than that asked by the merchants, who were obliged to defray the heavy expenses of transport. As may be seen, the promises which the ministers make to the European powers, and the orders which they give in consequence to the various authorities, are eluded, and all the more readily since the Porte has no real intention of making them respected. If a European consul had lodged any complaint at Constantinople about the trade in which I engaged, what answer would be re- turned? “\Vhat you complain of calls for no censure; the merchants of Jerusalem sell grain to the people at exorbitant prices; the governor’s wife, in order to as- suage the misery of the inhabitants, finds means to sell wheat at a reasonable rate, and the peasants associate themselves in this good work by lending their animals; there is nothing to find fault with in that.” 72 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAZBEJI. CHAPTE R VIII. Revolt of the Arabs 0f K7La‘2’r-Ackman.‘——DepZombla Condition of the ttoman Troops. IN the mean time my husband was obliged to place himself at the head of his troops7 to go and put down the Arabs of Khair-Ackman, a place about three days’ march from Jerusalem, Who had risen in resistance to the mili- tary levy, _ The rebels had taken refuge in a defile commanding 'the entrance into their part of the country. The route Which had to be followed in order to get at them com- menced toward the plain With an ascent, at first easy, and afterward steep; it passed, finally, over a chain of hills, incumbered With rocks and broken ground, behind Which the insurgents had taken up their quarters. Their in- fantry skirted the line of march, and from their ambush behind thickets, rocks, and earth-works hastily thrown up, occupying the slopes and crest of the mountain, they received the Turkish troops With well-sustainecl and murderous volleys 0f musketry. SinCe morning, the repeated efforts and assaults of the Ottoman infantry had only succeeded in dislodging the enemy from their first line of intrenehmentswthat near- est to the plain. The heights were still defended by nu- merous sharp-shooters, supported by great masses of half~ naked Arabs, who offered a. stubborn resistance. Night was drawing on, When the Pasha, taking counsel only of his courage, placed himself at the head of the half—dis- SR REVOLT OF THE ARAB/S'. 73 eomfited infantry, which he formed in column. The soldiers, animated by the example of their general, Vig- orously attacked the enemy With the bayonet, and, in spite of their resistance, succeeded in attaining the surn- mit ofthe range ofhills on the right of the line ofmareh. AS soon as those Who were still standing their ground saw the Ottoman standard floating on the height, they fled in disorder toward the Villages. The Pasha’s eav- alry, launching themselves into the way that had been Cleared for them, pursued the enemy,- cutting them down With great carnage, to the gates of their principal ham- let, Where they shut themselves up. At day-break the rest of the Turkish forces effected their passage, and proceeded to eneamp 0n the other side of the defile Which had been carried With so much diffi- culty. The artillery, drawn up by batteries before the Village, after firing all day long, managed to throw down a great piece of the wall. The assault was made at once, but vigorous} y repulsed by the rebels. On the morrOW the troops were again pressed forwarrh and found the breach abandoned; on getting access into the principal street, they discovered the adjacent streets blocked by fallen timber, and the passages barred by gigantic bar- riers; moreover, being received With a terrible fusilade from the roofs of the houses, they were compelled to re- tire With severe loss. The fielcl-guns, for two days consecutively, were di- rected against the mud houses situated between the breach and the centre of the Village. When they had been nearly demolished, and the entire district presented the appearance of a heap of ruins, the Turks advanced afresh, and, in spite of the desperate efforts of the rebels, A .L 7 4 ‘ THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. succeeded in making themselves masters of the place. A frightful massacre commenced. The Pasha’s troops, exasperated at the resistance they had encountered, gave 110 quarter; the houses, having first been plundered, were given up to the flames, and their spoils removed to the camp and divided. While the hamlet was being sacked, the Arab women, shut up in a large mosque, witnessed the extermination of their fathers, husbands, brothers, and children, and the ruin of their homes; they alone were spared by the con- queror. Eventually, fifteen days after .the opening of the cam- paign, the revolted tribes sent to solicit aman (pardon), Which was granted them; they furnished hostages,raised the required contingent, and paid the expenses caused by the expedition. As a reward for his important services, the Pasha received, through the VVali of Beyrout, a sword of honor; he had also the rank offeri/c, or general of di- vision, conferred upon him. We soon saW'the army return to the City. Nothing was more dismal than the appearance of the Ottoman troops; preceded by monotonous music, their ragged garments barely covered frames of a learmess painful to behold. The officers themselves were as bad] y clothed as their men; most ofthem had their shoes in holes or seleless. The uniform of the infantry consisted Of trowsers in the European mode, of White canvas in summer and blue cloth in Winter; the vest is also of blue cloth: the head- dress is 'a red cap, or tarboosh, ornamented With a blue tassel; the shoulder-beits are White, worn crosswise over the chest, supporting the cartridge-box, and a sabre; a musket and bayonet complete the equipment. I CONDITION OF THE TROOPS. 75 The cavalry were attired in a like manner; their arms consisted of a lance, and of a ridiculously short, clumsy sabre, suspended from a, waist-belt. The causes of the deplorable state of the army were numerous. In the first place, all the contractors made arrangements with the colonels and other commanding officers for the supply of clothes and materials of inferior quality. On the other hand, it usually happened that deliveries were retarded, owing to the default of the treasury in payment of the store-keepers charged with keeping up the supplies. The funds were applied, in the first instance, to pay the salaries of the chief com- manders; as for the soldiers, they seldom could touch their pay. It is not surprising that under such a sys- tem the soldiers are badly fed, badly clothed, and badly armed. It is a common occurrence for winter clothes to be delivered in the hottest of the summer months, and those suitable for summer wear in the depth of winter. The condition of the officers of inferior rank, up to the captain and the chef de bcataz‘llon himself, is, if possible, more intolerable than that of the non-commissioned oili- Cers and privates. They are all married, and have, for the most part, large families. Every month they have a right to an allowance of meat, rice, oil, and other mat- ters. These rations are distributed with great irregular- ity, and the payment of salaries is still more in arrear than the delivery of provisions. What, then, is the result? The officer who has an im- mediate right to demand the goods necessary for his sub- sistence, and which are left in arrear, sees himself de- prived of every resource; and, to save himself and his family from dying of hunger, he is obliged to negotiate 76 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HARIMI. advances With the money-Ienders, and they buy, for one hundred and fifty francs, the right to the delivery of goods to the value of five hundred francs and upward. This ruinous expedient naturally deprives the unhappy individuals Who have recourse to it of two-thirds of their resources, already insufficient. The receipts for salaries often remain unpaid for six months. It is only at the last extremity, and When their clothes have reached such a degree of old age as to fall to pieces, that the claimants resolve to sell to the Jews their precious goods, Which afford a very clear represen- tation of the liberality of the Government. These honest folks naturally take advantage of the urgent necessities of the borrowers to give them just the fourth of What they have to receive. It is more especially when they are on garrison duty in some remote'province that the officers experience the most severe privations; for then not only are the pay- ments indefinitely deferred, but the distributions of ra- tions are made at such distant intervals that they be- come quite illusory; at the same time, there is no longer the means of finding some one to negotiate their claims on the treasury. The commanding ofificers avail them- selves of these circumstances to buy up, on terms still more onerous than those of the money-lenders, and through the medium of their stewards, the Claims of their unhappy subordinates. It is not unusual to see officers going to seek the priest, and addressing him in the following lamentable terms: “I am married, and my Wife and I are as well matched as possible, but I am in such a sad state of destitntion that I can not support‘her any longer. Separate us: she CONDITION OF THE TROOPS. 77 will be able to marry again, and find a husband who Will preserve her from starvation.” It is evident that troops placed in such a predicament do not offer a very effectual safeguard. The greatest bravery gives no chance of promotion; it depends en- tirer on favor and intrigue. However, if all the posts, all the dignities, as well in the army as everywhere else, are bestowed Without any rule, on the other hand, there is no hereditary aristoc- racy, keeping up its power from generation to genera- tion, and closing every career to the multitude. It is a rare occurrence for a man in a high place to be the son of a father who has occupied a position even of moder- ate importance. The highest dignitaries are the sons of mere laborers, artisans, shopkeepers, or else they are Cir- cassians, Poles, or Tartars, Who have settled in Turkey. The sons of the Pashas receive a very imperfect edu- cation, and their morals are generally of a most depraved sort. Early given to all kinds of excesses, they quickly destroy their health, both of mind and body: When their father dies, they dissipate their wealth, and generally die in extreme poverty. 7 8 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. CHAPTER IX. I undertake a Journey to visit the Druses and the Bedouins.—— The Reception they gate me—On my Return to Jemsalem, I succeed in quelling an Arab Emeute.——Ifind a H usbcmd for a young G irl whom I had brought up— The Marriage Ceremonies. AVAILING myself of the governor’s permission, I took with me my steward, and,_escorted by a body of mount- ed Bashi—bozouks, I went on an expedition to Visit the Druses ofthe mountains and the Bedouins of the plain. The Druses (in the Turkish language Durzz’c) profess a. particular sect of Mohammedanism; mounted on small but very active horses, they keep to the high mountain ranges, descending the steepest slopes, and reascending With extraordinary rapidity. As soon as they perceived my cortége, they bounded down from the heights like flocks of goats. Armed with long muskets, they are clad only in a, small piece of canvas, wrapped round their 10ins. They dwell in mud huts, covered With thatch, and secured by keys and bolts of wood. They eat With their fingers, Without em- ploying either knives, forks, or spoons. Their only fur- niture consists of a carpet spread on the ground, and cushions here and there. The cocks and hens are kept indoors, Which makes it any thing but pleasant, both on account of the dirt and the noise they keep up during the night, disturbing one’s slumbers perpetually. The women, although the heat is very great, are re- markably fair-Complexioned. Those who are married THE DR USES. 7 9 wear as a head-dress a long eoronet of cioth-of—siiver, and all wear collars of the same material. Their heads are enveloped in a loose handkerchief of flowered mus- lin, falling over the shoulders; they have chemisettes, with short s1eeves,reaching very little below the shoul- der, and leaving their bare arms covered with bracelets. Above these garments they have a small vest, tight—fit- ting, and without sleeves; their wide trowsers are cov— ered with a short petticoat, coming down just below the knee. On the day of my arrival I was invited to supper at the house of one of the great men of the country. A young lamb was served up, so underdone that its flesh was quite red ; it was stuffed with rice, and covered with a kind of cream. It was impossible to eat of this dish, so I was offered rice, which my host kneaded in his hands into a bail. To refuse his politeness was a deli- eate matter, so I reluctantly resigned myself to my fate. The next course was of cakes made of flour, sugar, and butter. The bread is baked in an oven of burned clay, hollowed out of the ground in a Circular form to the depth of two feet, and of double that width. This oven is called tandem. As soon as the embers have been taken out, the dough is put in, and gets baked instantly. This bread, which is extremely crisp, is as thin as a sheet of paper. Unhappily the oven is commonly used as a bath. I one day saw a woman draw out of it the water from which five or six Children, of from five to eight years old, had just emerged, and pour it over the dough she was engaged in kneading. After supper I was shown at the window the horses belonging to my host, who invited me to choose which- 80 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. ever I preferred. As I knew nothing of horse-fiesh, my steward pointed out to me the One I ought to select. At the different Visits which I paid during this journey, I was presented, in succession, With forty-five horses, that followed in my train. The dwellings of the people are constructed so as to leave in the centre a large square court. When night came, and I and the ladies of the house were sitting at the window of the harem, the mountaineers brought torches of resin, which they planted. here and there to illumine the vast ineiosure. The men, both of the neigh- boring houses and those in the country round about, came, hearing cushions, on which they sat while they smoked their narghilés. Then came the musieians,f01- lowed by youthspf from sixteen to eighteen years old, attired like women, who proceeded to dance in an enter- taining manner to the sound of the music. These amuse- ments were prolonged Well into the night. At every place I came to I took part each night in a similar dem- onstration. From the country of the Druses I descended into the plain inhabited by the Bedouins (Bedewg/a). They are in the habit of tattooing themselves in b1ue,on the edges of the lips, the neck, and the arms, from the wrist to the elbow, which produces a. most unsightly effect upon their swarthy and often black skins. They live in hovels underground, formed like gigantic hives, subsist on‘the produce of their flock, and are in a wretched condition. The sheiks alone wear the burnous; the rest of the people have no other Clothing than wide linen drawers; a few, however, wear a kind of shirt. The worrien go covered with a long wrapper of blue Iin-I RECEPTION. 81 en, falling from the shoulders, and secured by pins. On their head is a loose handkerchief, with which they veil themselves whenever they perceive a stranger. The greater part have black eyes, and eyebrows of remark- able beauty: nearly all have teeth of brilliant whiteness. The richer persons attire themselves, over their blue izabbam, in a kind of white petticoat, fastened round the loins, and open on three sides. _ All these peoples, both Druses and Bedouins, like the Arabs in general, are greatly addicted to theft and rap- ine. No traveler would dare to penetrate as far as I did without being well attended, otherwise he would run a great risk of being plundered, and even killed if he made a show of resistance. The Turkish Government requires from these tribes no other markrof submission than the payment of an impost arranged with each of them: among such a people the conscription is of course a dead letter. As the Arabs pos- sess nothing that can easily be taken—the flocks belong- ing only to a small number among them—they oppose the most active resistance to the payment of the capitulation. When a village has not paid up the whole of the tax, the inhabitants are arrested, and beaten severely on the soles of the feet with a scourge of elephant’s hide, called courbash. Seeing how wretched these people are, it would be thought impossible that they could pay any thing; but after receiving, at times, some hundreds of blows Without uttering any complaint, except the word AZZa/t/ (God), repeated with every stroke7 it is astonish- ing to see them bring out gold, hidden, perhaps, in their mouths, perhaps in a little purse concealed under their armpits, or elsewhere about their persons. 11% A 82 TIIIRTY YEARS IN THE [JARED]. Since very few people, especially ladies, venture to come among these people, I was the object of lively cu- riosity on their part. As soon as I arrived at any place, all the women, eager to see the governor’s wife,eame out of their gourbz's (hovels) and offered me little presents— eggs, fruit, and other things of the kind——while others flourished huge fans of plaited straw, endeavoring to keep the air cool around me; all were attentive, and so- licitous of the honor of showing me hospitality. I was surprised, on entering on one occasion the residence of one of the principal sheilis, to see a European bedstead of iron, painted green, the fruit of some pillaging exploit. Finally, having Visited a great number of Villages and towns, I returned on my way to Jerusalem. In the course of my journey my cortége was augmented by nu- merous mudirs and sheiks, who, in so. honoring me, sought to dispose me favorably in their behalf. On my return I found the Pasha was absent, having gone to put down an armed dispute that had'arisen be» tween two Arab Villages. One day, when I was quietly resting in the harem af- ter the fatigue of my journey, I heard a great tumult in the court-yard of the palace, where the Pasha’s court of justice and other offices were situated. My apartments communicated with this court-yard by a large staircase outside. ‘I saw through the window a furious crowd of Arabs raising terrible shouts. I inquired for the stew- ard, the cavas-basehi, and the other officers, in order to ask them the cause of such a disturbance. They, fearing for their lives if they showed themselves to these people7 had done their best to conceal themselves. Seeing that, if the Arabs were allowed their own way, ARAB EMEUTE. 83 ' they might proceed to extremities, I quickly made up my mind, and half covering my face with a shawl, pre- sented myself at the head of the staircase: “\Vhat is the matter7 my friends, that you raise such an outcry? Tell me what you want, and although the Pasha is absent, I will do what I can to oblige you.” “The matter!” said one of them, who appeared to be one of the ringleaders. “ They, have lately established, at the gates of the city, a duty upon all the merchandise we bring in, in such a manner that we are obliged to pay before we have sold any thing; moreover, the license to collect this tax has been conferred upon a Frenchman; so that we are toiling to enrich an infidel. We wish the duty to be removed.” “I am on your side,” I answered; “I had pledged the Pasha notto impose this tax, but an order from the Sul- tan compelled him to do so, and he was forced to obey; the Frenchman of whom you complain is not responsi- ble. Moreover, we have written to Constantinople to ask for the suppression of this levy; in two or three days we shall receive a reply; there is every reason to believe that the Padishah, who is a father to his subjects, will grant the abolition which we have solicited.” At these words they all cried out, “ God bless the wife of our governor! Allah protect our Pasha! Long live our Sultan! Amin! Amin l” “ In praying for your master, you do well,’7 I replied; “ always continue to act thus, and you will obtain what- ever is just. Return to your homes, and as soon as the answer arrives it shall be proclaimed.” They withdrew, satisfied at the result of their proceed- ing. As for me, I was better pleased to see them de- 84: THIRTY YEARS LV THE IIAZBEJI. part than I cared to show. I returned to my apartments attended by their Glamorous blessings. rI‘he next morning I summoned the eavas—baschi, and asked him the names of the principal authors of the dis- turbances of the day before. He named fifteen. I im- mediately directed him, as usual in such cases, to seize them—an order which was executed before they left their homes. They were forthwith sent into exile, and were not permitted to return until their spirit had been completely subdued. It may be that some among them were innocent, but in such affairs it seems preferable to run the risk of inflicting some slight suffering both on the innocent and the guilty, rather than to excite popu- lar passions by proceeding in the regular course ofjus— tiee in order to apportion the blame attaching to each. In the East these nice distinctions are not attended to; guilty and innocent are arrested, and chastisement in- flicted upon them. For five or six years past, a young Circassian, whom I had bought, had been growing up in my house. I had given her a certain education, and at the age of four- teen she acted as governess to my daughter Aisheh, who was scarcely five years old. Although my husband was extremely good, and very affectionate toward me, there grew up in my mind a jealous thought; I feared lest the Pasha, charmed with this young person, whose pleasing expression of counte- nance was relieved by a certain air of distinction, might wish to associate her with me in the capacity of a second wife, the Mussulman law allowing as many as four law- ful wives. I determined to take advantage of the governor’s ab— M Y YO UNG 0113 0A SSIAN‘. 85 sence, to rid myself of every ground of fear by removing this girl; but I reflected in vain; I could find no means of satisfying this desire without disclosing the feelings that influenced my conduct. One morning my attention was drawn to sundry groans and lamentations coming from the streets; I perceived some hired mourners ae- companying the funeral of the wife of a oai’makam. This sight distressed me, for I had known and loved the deceased; but the circumstance suggested to me a sud- den idea; I resolved to give my Cireassian maid in mar— riage to the officer who now found himself a widower. This project was quite capable of being realized; the deceased, a Turkish lady of about forty-five, had her face poek-marked all over, and was consequently very plain; her husband, of the same age, was still Vigorous and weH-preserved. As the men are not in the habit of remaining a lOng time deprived of a wife, and frequent- ]y remarry within the very week of their late Wife’s bur- ial, I resolved to make short work of the matter; more- over, the near return of the Pasha prompted me to haste. I sent my housekeeper to that of the colonel ; she talk- ed with this woman about the match which I offered her master. It was accepted with enthusiasm, for the officer could not find at Jerusalem any but Arab women, as ugly as they were dirty; on the other hand, he was not ignorant that she who was proposed as his bride was beautiful, and, further, he thought himself highly hon- ored in having for a wife one brought up in the house of the Pasha, and through whom he might hope for'ad- vancement. He therefore showed himself quite favora- ble to the prompt conclusion of a marriage which I de- sired as ardently as he. 86 THIRTY YEARS IN TIIE’ IiiREJlI. Three days before that fixed for the ceremony, I sent the trousseau, which was my gift. The trunks contain- ing the clothing, the beds, and every thing needful, were placed on camels, magnificently caparisoned, and hear- ing collars with large bells. Searfs, presents for the eamel-drivers, were tied to the necks of their animals. They were preceded by numerous servants, uniformly clad, bearing in their hands pieces of silver plate, and each with a scarf worn crosswise. Thus they proceed- ed to the house of the future husband; the people, at- tracted by the sound of the bells, formed in line along the route of the procession, and wondered at the mag- nificence 0f the bride’s dowry. That was all sent on the part of the young lady; the only present that I was deemed to have made was a gold snuff—box on a silver stand. The porters were rewarded with trifling pres—' ents; these are generally small pieces of gold wrapped in flowered handkerchiefs. I next busied myself in getting ready the apartment where the ceremony was to take place ’; for the betroth- ed, out of respect for the memory of her whom he had recently lost, did not wish the marriage to be celebrated at his own house. I had the walls of one of the largest rooms in the palace hung with pieces of white silk, em- broidered with gold; OVer these were disposed cashmere shawls, relieved by rich searfs, and forming tapestry. In the centre of the room was placed a kind of throne, covered with velvet, on which the bride was to he seat- ed. When the day arrived, I had her magnificently at- tired in the best that my store could afford, which I lent her for the occasion ; this was an Arab costume. She were large trowsers of red silk, embroidered with 7; l‘ht‘w”. .. r JIIARRIA GE OEREJION Y. 8 ‘7 gold; over them a robe of white gauze, striped with silk of the same color; then came a vest of green velvet, em- broidered with gold, with a triangular opening in front, so as to expose the bosom ;' the sleeves were narrow, cut open from the wrists to the middle of the forearm, and furnished with a great many small buttons. On her hair, which was out square on the forehead, and arranged behind in 10ng,hanging tresses, and adorned with golden sequins, was placed a rich tarhoosh of red velvet, also garnished with sequins, and embroidered and adorned with pearls. On the forehead, the cheeks, and the chin, were written verses in praise of the husband, by means of spangles of gold, pasted on the face.‘ The head was covered with a thick veil of gauze, worked in gold, form- ed of one piece, of which half fell in front, the other half behind. I had sent my Ay'cg'a-kadun (housekeeper) to invite the ladies of the principal authorities of the country; for that purpose she left a little candle at the house of each. 011 the morning of the appointed day they came in‘great numbers, and seemed charmed to find that the nuptials wore to be celebrated after the fashion of their country. I allowed them to act, as they understood the matter. A11, taking their seats in the chamber that had been pre- pared, began to smoke their narghilés, which they had brought for that purpose. The bride, throwing back her veil, went and kissed the hand of each7 after which she placed herself on the raised throne assigned to her. Such an assemblage was an enchanting spectacle. There were about one hundred ladies, the greater part very dark-oomplexioned,’ young and pretty, and all were clad in their finest costumes. Some were distinguished 88 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJM by their large tresses, adorned with sequins; others wore on their shoulders a kind of belt, formed of eight or ten large pieces of gold; some had tassels of large pearls, placed on each side of their faces. With them the prin- cipal extravagance was in gold and pearls, just as in Turkey diamonds constitute the, most valued article of ornament. The singular noise that was heard at every movement they made; the gold they carried on their persons; the variety and brilliancy of the colors dis- played in their costumes; the different shapes and sizes of their narghilés, some green, others red or blue, all con- tributed to the remarkable character of this assembly. One of the party commenced a song, accompanied by the koudoum (an instrument composed of two small tam- bourines placed together on the ground, and beaten with two drumsticks), and the tar, or large tambourine. Two of the principal assistants began to dance: they stood facing each other at a certain distance, then they swayed themselves forward and backward successively, follow- ing the time marked by the music. This dance allows no movement of the legs; the feet scarcer stir. The performers balance themselves on their haunches, inclin- ing their heads right or Jeft, make graceful gestures with their arms, and assume attitudes most charming and most impassioned ; every thing breathes in them, While dancing, an ardent yet restrained voluptuousness. The dancing was kept up until all, old and young, the wives of the catch" (j udge), the nakz'b (first interpreter of the law), the imam (priest), and of other officers, civil and military, of every rank, had successively taken part in it. After the ball, supper was served up. The attendants ZIIARRIA GE OERE’flIONY. 8 9 brought sofras (round thin planks or plates of wood7 in- laid with mother-of—pearl, bronze, marble, and other ma- terials), each of which was placedyon a stool about a foot high. Round each of these tables ten guests, seated on cushions, were accommodated. All the dishes were served at the same time—soup, meat, rice, dessert. EV- ery one washed her hands before taking her seat, and helped herself with her fingers to whatever she fancied; there were neither plates, nor Spoons, nor forks. The supper over, all rise from table7 and again seat themselves to take coffee and smoke narghile’s. At sun- set all the ladies present wrap themselves in a long piece of white stuff, which conceals their costume, and with which they cover their faces, excepting the eyes. The bride does likewise; then they all issue forth to escort her to the house of her husband. Four of the guests bear over her head, by means of staves, a canopy of red cloth, shaped like a tent, and open in front. The bride- groom, standing at the door of his house, welcomes the cortege, and scatters small pieces of money7 while all the women cry Zou, Zou, Zou/ recite verses in honor of the bride, and loudly declare their good wishes in her favor. The bridegroom then goes out, while the whole assem- blage enters the house; the bride takes her seat on the divan, and kisses the hands of the assistants as they sev- erally withdraw. Two Old female slaves then raise her veil, and give her some refreshment. At eight o’clock, at the time when the night’s prayer is offered, the husband, leaving the mosque where the nuptial prayers have been said, comes, accompanied by a numerous suite of acquaintances, carrying lighted can- dles 0r torches, and chanting prayers; the priest pushes 90 THIRTY YEARS IN THE EIREMZ the newly married man into his house by the shoulders, and, after drinking a glass of sherbet, they all retire. Then the husband goes up stairs and seats himself on a chair7 while his wife, accompanied by two old female slaves, each carrying a candle, presents herself before him, and all three dance; they withdraw, change the bride’s dress, and return to renew the dance. This performance is repeated until all the robes in the trous- seau have been put on. The husband then takes his wife by the hand and enters the bed-ohamber with her. The next morning the ne’wly-married husband, as was the custom, came to thank me. I made him a present of a beautiful Arab horse. Five or six days afterward I was informed of the arrival of the governor. The cai- makam went to meet him, and kissed the hem of his robe, as soon as he accosted him. “What new thing has happened that you should pay me this mark of defeience?” “ I am the husband of the young lady who was brought up in your house.” “Oh!” cried the Pasha; “then you are my son-in- law.” And they continued to converse familiarly until they reached the city. When the Pasha entered the house, I felt very uneasy as to the manner in which he would take the affair. “It appears that you have been celebrating certain nuptials during my absence. . . . Well, you have amused yourself7 and you have done well.” Seeing him in this frame of mind, I was satisfied, both because my arbitrary conduct met with no reproach, and because I saw myself freed from all disturbing causes of jealousy. .. :4 H1; INVITED TO VISIT EGYPT. 91 CHAPTER X. Nazly—Hanum, Daughter of Mehmnet—Ali, Viceroy of Egypt, invites me to wish? her.—My R60623t’i0n.—-H67’ 072a7’act62’.—I m'sit Alem- andrm and Cairo. ONE Friday that I received, as I did every week, the wives of certain subordinate officials, the eunuch in at- tendance came to tell me that an old lady, accompanied by a slave and a eunuch, had arrived, bringing a letter for me. I directed that she should be'admitted into one of our finest apartments, until my reception was at an end. As soon as I was at liberty, I went to see what this person wanted. She was lady-in-waiting to the Princess Nazly-Hanum, daughter of Mehemet-Ali-Pasha, Viceroy of Egypt. She brought a letter from her mis- tress7 in which the writer informed me that, having heard me spoken of as a person of ability, and highly energet- ie, I should be conferring on her a great pleasure if I would spend a few days in Egypt with her. I was nat- urally obliged to Offer hospitality to the messenger of her highness, and to those who accompanied her. I acquainted my husband with this invitation, and asked permission to comply with the request of the prin- cess. “ You are obliged to go to her,” said he, “ for an invitation coming from a person of such rank is a com- mand.” Taking with me my daughter Aisheh, two slaves, and a eunuch, and accompanied by the messenger of the princess, I went to J affa, and embarked for Alexandria, 92 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREMZ where I found the equipages and servants of her high- ness in readiness. The carriages were all fitted with red embroidered velvet; instead of windows the two sides were furnished with gilt trellis-work, to admit the air. We immediately went to take up our residence with the princess, at her palace of Mahmudieh, which, situated near the Nile, in the centre of a magnificent garden, had quite the appearance of a European structure. rI‘he mo- saics which were set in the floors of the inner apartments were remarkably fine. After getting out of the carriage in one of the courts, I entered a Spacious vestibule, beyond which was a mag- nificent staircase leading to the upper rooms. 011 each side of the passages were drawn up lines of female slaves, dressed in silks of brilliant hues, and wearing necklaces, ear-rings, and bracelets of great value. To do me honor7 other slaves took me under the arms, as though to assist me up stairs, while others again, and some eunuehs, supported the skirts of my ferady’e (a large mantle), sweeping the ground, closed in front, garnished with immense pagoda sleeves, and a tippet. I was re- ceived at the head of the stairs by the princess’s treas- urer, who introduced me into a large ha11,where she made me sit down and rest before being presented to her mistress. Shortly afterward the treasurer came to inform me that her highness was waiting to receive me. I found her seated ona magnificent divan, and calmly smoking a long ehibouk. On seeing me, she rose, and, with a firm step, approached and bid me welcome. The princess was of the middle height, and of a somewhat dark com- plexion; her face bore the impress of a degree of energy NAZL Y’S RECEPTION. 93 and passion not commonly met with; her eye, penetra- ting andbold, denoted intelligence. I prostrated myself to the ground; she graciously bowed in acknowledgment of my salutation, inviting me, by a motion of her hand, to take my seat on a divan placed opposite to her own. Around the apartment stood sundry old women, who were employed to entertain the princess by relating stories. As soon as I had taken my place, a ehibouk was brought me, and I began to smoke. The princess then commenced the conversation, complimenting me at a considerable length on the good reports she had heard of me. \Ve then talked on various subjects. Nazly- Hanum gave proofs of a shrewd intellect, and an' exten- sive knowledge of Eastern affairs. During our conver- sation glasses of sherbet were brought in, variously per- fumed, and lastly coffee. After we had conversed for about half an hour, I took leave of the princess, and re- tired to the apartments prepared for me. Like the rest of the rooms in the palace, they were magnificently fur- nished; divans, cushions, hangings of embreidered vel- vet, were in every chamber. When the dinner-hour ar- rived, Nazly-Hanum dined alone with me. The table, covered with embroidered silk, was garnished with nu- merous dishes, served on silver plate of rare workman- ship; even the spoons were ornamented with precious stones. During the repast we talked very little. Presently we rose, and went to sit in the garden, where we all sat round a table smoking and taking coffee. Toward ten o’clock fruit was brought, and sherbet in golden cups, adorned, together with their covers, with diamonds. The princess began to drink both brandy and wine, and t0 94 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. tall: familiarly With me; then she permitted several of the oldest of her slaves to sit near us. One of them aet- ed the part Of her lover; they both began talking about affairs of gallantry, and exciting themselves. Nazly, in fact, had formed in her youth many’amorous intrigues; but as she could only see her lovers by stealth, and for brief moments, she had adopted the plan of having all sorts of fun in the harem. I was present at this scene, Which became more animated in proportion as the two principal actresses got more intoxicated. In the mean time, some young slaves danced, accompanying them- selves With zaganezfs (castanets of copper), While others sang. Those whose duty constrained them to remain standing round the room fell down with fatigue; it could be seen, from their appearance, that they were ae- customed to pass the night Without sleep. They were forced to endure this weariness Without a sign of impa- tience, for if their mistress observed it, she would have had them beaten unmercifully; many had even died from the ill-treatment they had suffered under such cir- cumstanees. Eventually, being weary of such revolting scenes of debauchery and selfishness, toward midnight I requested permission to retire. I was reCondueted to my apartments by the person Who had called on me at Jerusalem. Out of compli- ment, I asked her to be seated for a short time near me. She began talking to me. about Nazly. “You have seen our mistress: she passes all her nights as she has commenced this. She rises at noon, and spends her days in visiting, driving, drinking, and amusing herself. NAZLY’S 011241311 OTER. 95 “ Formerly, although the Egyptian ladies are far more strictly confined than the Turks, she found means, thanks to the fear With Which she inspired us, and the frequent absences of her husband, to introduce, With impunity, her lovers into the harem. She usually insured their reticence by having them put to death; but these mur- ders having made some noise, she has given up that kind of pastime. ‘ “ “We are all very unhappy under her. She is excess— ively capricious and cruel. During her husband’s life- time, he having one day said to a slave Who was pour- ing out water for him, ‘Enough, my 1amb;’ this word, reported to his Wife, put her into a fury. Forthwith she ordered the poor girl to be killed; then she had the head stuffed With rice, cooked in an oven, and placed on a large dish surrounded With rice. \Vhen the deflerdm came to his dinner, his Wife had this strange dish served up to him, saying, ‘Heip yourself to a piece of your lamb.’ At this word he threw his napkin on the table, went away, never reappeared for a long time after, and had no longer any affection for his Wife. If he did not separate from her, it was because he was bent upon keep- ing her riches, and remaining the son-in-law of Mehemet— Ali. This jealousy extends to those of her slaves Who minister to ‘her passions; at the least suspicion of infidel- ity she dooms them to die under the lash.” She related many more instances of the Violent char- acter of her cruel and imperious mistress. “If she has induced you to COme here,” said this good old lady, “it is because she has heard you spoken of as one Who has traveled in Europe and in Arabia, and Who knows many things calculated to entertain her. However, her high- 96 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. ness is very generous, and you will have no cause to complain of her.” This conversation was prolonged to a late hour. It was about ten o’clock next morning, and I had not yet risen, when the princess entered my room, attended by two slaves. She had evidently got up earlier than usual. “ IVhat!” cried she, “ you still in bed, my dear?” rI‘hen coming up to me, she embraced me, and began to pay me a thousand compliments. Finally she withdrew, saying that she was going to wait for me. I was soon dressed, and found the princess inspect- ing some designs for jewelry which she wished to have prepared. “ Come,” she exclaimed, “you shall give me your advice.” IVe together proceeded to examine the designs. \Vhen we had made our selection, she sent for two caskets, each upward of three feet long, and wide and deep in proportion. “ Now,” said she, “ let us choose the stones.” These caskets were filled with an infinite number of diamonds, emeralds, and other pre- cious stones, the greater part very large7 and altogether of inealeulable value. She was on the point of looking them up again, when she remarked, all of a sudden, “I am going to make you a little present: here are two dia- monds; get one made into a ring for yourself and the other for your husband.” Each of these gems was worth upward of five thousand francs. She then asked for a large casket. This was full of long bars of gold. “I intend,” said Nazly, “to have these ingots made into plate. What is your opinion ‘3” “I think,” replied I, “ that vessels of massive gold would be extremely heavy; those of silver are much lighter.” ', fl ‘1 x ; NAZL Y’S GARDEN 97 “ You are right. I will apply the contents of this box to another purpose.” Then taking two or three of the bars, she cast them at the feet of a slave. “See, they are for thee,” she said. At the invitation of her highness, I went down into the garden. This was remarkably beautiful. The date- palms, orange-trees, flowers, and shrubs were arranged with a degree of art not often seen, especially in the East. . The very walls were covered with verdure. Here and thereelegant kiosques, in the midst of which grace- ful jets of water refreshed and cooled the air, contributed to the charm of the scene. I walked about for some time, accompanied by women, each of whom wore on her neck a White handkerchief, adorned with embroider- ed verses, the distinguishing mark of those who were in the good graces of their mistress. The latter present- ly made her appearance. “ \Vhat do you think of my garden?” said she. “Are you pleased with the climate of Egypt?” “The garden and the climate are both very fine, and in every respect agreeable; but how could I enlarge upon their praises, when it is to you that such praises are due?” ’ She smiled at this compliment, and testified her satis~ faction by gently pinching my cheek. “If you would like to see something of the country, let us go out,” she said. “70 then each took afimdje, and over it a bouflco‘, a kind of hood Which completely covers the head and neck, and admits the light through holes made in front of the eyes. The features of the women are nowhere concealed with so much care as in Egypt; everywhere else they have their faces covered with a.gaslma/c, a. p O 98 TIIIRTY YEARS IN 11511? IIARIMI. slight veil of sill; gauze. We got into our carriage, the trellis Of'which was not so thick as to hinder us from seeing any thing, and went to the palace of Ibrahim- Pasha, brother of Nazly-Hanum. We were both re- ceived with the same ceremony that had attended my arrival at the residence of the princess. She introduced me to Ibrahim’s wives, and praised me highly to them. I went over the palace, which was as richly furnished as that of my amiable hostess. The women who lived in it were all young, and far more beautiful than those of Nazly’s establishment. They all bore on their counte- nanees the impress of fear-and of ennui. An old slave, with a cheerful expression (for the old slaves are gener- ally more gay than the young), conducted me all over. She told me that the Pasha was of a terribly jealous dis- position. “A black eunuch,” said she,“ becoming enam- ored of a Circassian of rare beauty7 of whom our mas- ter was passionately fond, was naturally rejected by her, and resolved to efFeot her ruin. One day he placed, as though it had. been forgotten, a man’s cloak near the Cir- cassian girl’s door. “When the Pasha, preceded by two eunuohs carrying torches, arrived at the door, and saw this garment, he was transported with rage. “ ‘What is this ?’ he cried. “ ‘ My lord,’ answered the wicked eunuch, ‘no doubt it belongs to some one who has been with the Clroassian, and has fled at your approach.’ “ Ibrahim-Pasha knocked rudely; the poor girl came to open the door; at that instant our master, drawing his 71067209127» (a short curved dagger), struck her dead. You may readil y understand that, with a master so suspicious, and so ready to believe calumnies, we can not be happy.” ~.J.. NAZLY’S RECEPTION. , 99 I returned to Naziy, and we were served with a su- perb cold collation, after which we went into the garden, which was still more magnificent than that of the princess. All the Pasha’s wives aeeornpanied us. They were Cir- eassians and Greeks, of a gentle disposition, and gener- ally beautiful, but badly educated. Then we went to the warm bath, while slaves sought to entertain us by dancing, and singing to ’the icZer-bouka a kind of man- doline. “Then night came we returned to her highness’s palace. One of the taIe-tellers then gave us one of the stories which they are accustomed to recite. There are about ten. Each woman knows one or two of them, which she repeats; when there is any poetry, she sings it. Those who go through rccitations of this kind have no other employment. ’ ' Next we were given a representation ‘of karagheuz, or Chinese shadows. Those who directed the movements of the marionettes introduced imaginary characters, whose dialogue was full of allusions to the acts of the princess and of the various members of her establish- ment. In a general way, pantomimes, or tales revealed in the acting, are produced on this limited stage; it is the theatre of the Orientals. In Turkey it is often em— ployed as the means of communicating to the Sultan or some other great personage what no one would dare to tell them openly. On the morrow, taking with me Fatmah, the lady who was sent on the mission to me, we dressed ourselves like merehants’ wives, and went to see the town. “What most struck me was the horrible filth that prevailed every- where. In tho bazar the female fellahs were covered 100 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. from head to foot with a long surtout of blue linen. These women do not generally conceal their face. Their garments were in rags, and threadbare. The fruit, the bread, the vegetables, were literally covered with myri- ads of black or bluish flies, because the venders did not give themselves the trouble of covering their wares. It surprised me that any one could purchase such articles, offered by such filthy saleswomen.» Swarms of squalid children, barely coveredwith miserable rags, infested the environs of the market; the streets leading to it were, so to spealgimpassable, on account of the heaps of filth that had accumulated. “7e went into several shops; it was just as bad. I could not possibly understand how these people could live amidst such an atmosphere of stench. The merchants, dressed in long'jubbe/zs (mantles with long sleeves), their heads covered with large tur- bans, and their feet bare, stood at the doors of their shops, which were left open to show what was sold, as they had neither sign nor stall. The streets, verynar- row, and generally unpaved, were continually cut up, sometimesby carriages, before which ran a person clad only in a blouse of blue linen, reaching to the knee, and bandaged round the loins; sometimes by hired asses, pre- ceded or followed by young boys, and mounted by men or women. These asses, very handsome—for Egypt is celebrated in that respeot—are extremely convenient. For about two or three pence you can go all over the town on one, and two young conductors are at your service. If you stop anywhere,‘you fix the time when they are to return for you, and you pay only as for one taking up. Now and then we Visited the cafes, which were distin- OAIR o. ‘ 101 guished by benehes'placed out in the street where men sat, gravely occupied in smoking and drinking. Here and there we met Arab women singing 772010720125 (coup- lets) to the sound of the tear, or tambourine. Finally we arrived at a quarter called the Course, where are to be seen houses built in the European style, and shops with glazed fronts, showing the goods tasteful-' 1y arranged. The trees planted before the houses make this square resemble that of a town in the south of France. Shortly afterward, taking with me Fatmah and several more of the princess’s women, I left for Cairo, in ear- riages belonging to her highness. As soon as we got beyond the walls of Alexandria, it seemed as if we had entered a vast furnace. After suffering greatiyfrem this excessive heat7 we put up at the palace of Halim-Pasha, at Shoubrah. I went to visit the town of Cairo, which comprises a great number of palaces, surrounded by mag- nificent gardens and squares. The bazars are numer- ous, and a different kind of merchandise is sold in each. Among the merchants, dealers in trinkets, jewelers, and others, are many Europeans. This town did not please me as much as A1exandria,whieh, refreshed by the sea- breezes, and the flowing waters of the Nile, was a most agreeable place to live in; whereas Caire, on the con- trary, only separated from the desert by the river, has an excessively hot climate. Many of the inhabitants suffer from ophthalmia. Another inconvenience is that there is no other water than that of the Nile, which is exceeding- ly brackish and unpleasant to drink, even when filtered. The scorpions, the serpents, and the musquitoes add to the discomforts of the country, 102 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. After spending some time at Cairo I returned to Alex- andria, where I staid about a fortnight longer. I then took leave of the princess, and embarked on‘a steam-ves— sel which conveyed 'me to Beyrout. This town is built in the form of an amphitheatre, on a hill, the base of which forms the port. It serves as the residence of the wali, 0r governor-general of Palestine. The houses are surrounded by immense gardens, planted With mulberry- trees. Water is very scarce, and is brought from a great distance. The population is largely employed in the management of silk-worm nurseries. There are also extensive silk manufaetories, and the dealers in satin damask are numerous. After resting two days in the palace of the wali, I resumed, by road, my journey to J erusalem. MEHEMET-PASHA REOALLE’D. 103 CHAPTER XI. Jlfehemet-Pasha 2'8 o'ecctllecZ.—T7Lc Journey from Jamsalmn t0 00n- stantt'nople.~—1lfi/ Husband is appointed Governor of Belgracl.-- W'e O’apair to that 72020 Pest. ABOUT three months after my return, there arrived from Constantinople an order recalling my husband, and appointing a new governor. In the East, when an official is recalled, he is account ed of less consideration than the lowest of the inhabit- ants. From all partssigns of discontent were displayed. The chief complaints lodged against us were that Me- hemet-Pasha proceeded with too great severity against the Arabs, both those who had rebelled and those ac- eased of crimes, and that I was too greedy for money and presents. The Pasha resolved that I should take my departure first, with our principal effects and our servants, before the arrival of his successor, and thus7 being still in the possession of authority, he could be on his guard against the malevolent. He furnished me with an escort of Bashi~bozouks, and told me to go and wait for him at Akiah, where he would meet me and take me to Gen- stantinople. I followed a different route to that which we took on our former journey. On the second day the commander of the escort was informed that a dispute had arisen be- tween the inhabitants of a neighboring Village and those of the town through which we were going to pass, and 104; TIIIRTY YEARS IN TIIE HAREJII. they had come to blows that self—same day. Indeed, we heard the distant sound of the firing. What complicated the matter was the circumstance that both parties were equally hostile to my husband, who had severely chas- tised them for their repeated and sanguinary outbreaks. The dehly-basehi was sorely embarrassed as to what he should do. “ Believe me,” I said, “ there is only one way of avoid- ing the danger that threatens us and continuing our journey in peace. Instead of going straightforward, we must make the circuit of the Village which we have to pass, enter it by the gate which looks upon the road from Akiah, and you say to the inhabitants that I am the wife of the new governor, just arrived from Constanti- nople, and whom you are escorting to Jerusalem.” This stratagem, carried into effect, succeeded beyond all expectation. As soon as they learned that the new governor’s harem was approaching the combat ceased. The Arabs and their sheiks came to meet me, raising shouts in my honor. They conducted me, with great pomp7 to the house of the wealthiest inhabitant in the place. The women received me with all the respect and all the good-will possible. They served up an excellent supper, and did theirev‘ery best to make me comfortable. “We are happy,” said they, “ to. see‘ you take the place of our late Pasha. He was so cruel that he punished by exile or imprisonment the least appearance of Irebellion. One could never obtain any benefit from him, save by robbing one’s self for the benefit of his wife.” “ We have heard that spoken of in Constantinople,” I replied, “and for that reason it has been determined to send a new governor to Jerusalem, to repair the’evils JO URNEY T0 BEYROUT. ' 105 you have hitherto endured; you will find the new Pasha as humane as the former showed himself rigorous, and I trust you Will be satisfied With him.” I tranquilly passed the night among these good folks. In the morning the sheik’s wife came to offer me a ring, richly chased, Which I was obliged to accept, for fear of exciting the displeasure or distrust of my entertainers. M y es'eort having assembled, we again set out on our march, the deth-basehi and his men rejoicing greatly at the success of our trick. As they had given themselves out as Bashi-hozouks sent to J erusalem in charge of the harem of the new Pasha, they had been very Well'tfeated; the greater part of the night had been spent in festiVities on their account. We repeated, at the last haltihg-plaee, the performance that had proved so successful the day before, and so arrived without inconvenience at Akiah on the fourth day after setting out from Jerusalem. The governor of the town, formerly steward t0 the \Vali of Beyrout, who had procured his nomination to our post at Jerusalem, received me With great demon- stratiohs of respect. Knowing that my husband had been sent for to Constantinople, and presuming that he might be nominated to a high post, he Wished to Secure his good graces by treating me to'the best of his ability. On the night of my arrival he had me serenaded, and commanded a superb exhibition of fire-works in' my honon This worthy governor was about fifty years old, pock- marked, and extremely plain. Introduced to his wife, she received me very graciously. She was a person of about twenty-three, very pretty, the daughter of a mer- chant at Broussa. 'As soon as we had eonversed for a r49 0 106 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM’. moment, we discovered such mutual sympathy, that we soon became like two friends of ten years’ standing. Next morning I was with her when her husband, going to the bath, sent to ask for some linen he required. “Carefully observe,” said she, to the slave charged with this commission, “ with whom the Pasha is going to the bath, and with whom he converses.” “Mydear friend,” said I, as soon as the slave had gone,r“it seems to me that you have a very singular idea, in allowing yourself to be jealous of such a hus- band.” “Ah!” she cried, “you don’t know what a man he is. He has made me the mother of two Children, aged re- spectively three and two years. I procured, to take charge of them, a woman of Chios7 about forty years old, and pock-marked. I had full confidence in her7 and was far from supposing that she could attract the attentions of my husband. A fortnight passed, and one morning I awoke early, and did not find the Pasha by my side. In gi‘eat distress, I‘put on my pelisse, and went to see what had become of him. I found him in the servant’s bed- room with gold in his hand, which he was endeavoring to induce her to accept. At this sight I swooned away. Hearing me fall, my faithlessr husband was greatly alarm- ed on'seeing me there, and hurried away into the selam- 1ik,1eaving the partner of his guilt to reconduct me to my chamber. Indignant at such deceit, and resolved not to survive my shame and sorrow,»for I dearly loved my husband, I swallowed a ball of Opium which I had in the house. I soon began to manifest all the symptoms of poisoning. A doctor was called in, and he succeeded in counteracting the effects of the poison. In ten days I .4 .u‘mwn—wv : . JOURNEY TO BEYROUT. 107 was beginning to get well again. As the Pasha and I have not yet made peace withone another,I fear he will niake another attempt to have a talk with his Greek favorite. You see it is not without reason that I charge my slave to watch him.” Such was the story told by. this poor woman. I did my best to console her, tellingther that, while becoming reconciled to her husband, she should insist on his slave being sold, and thereby she. would have no further anx- iety, Mehemet-Pasha arrived, soon after, and we remained two days at Akiah, and then went on to Beyrout. On our way we had topass through an extremely mountain- ous district. Several times I was obliged to leave the Zaiczfamvan, o'r palanquin, and mount on horseback; for the road, flanked by preeipiees, was so narrow that it was dangerous to remain in the palanquin. One of the horses might make a false step7 and precipitate me down some ravine, while the size of the vehicle still further in- ‘creased the danger. After resting one night at Beyrout, we took the steamer for Constantinople. As was cus- tomary, my husband had engaged the saloon for his ha- rem. When a lady wishes to go on deck, she must put on the yas/zmalc and the femcgje, as when she goes out in a town. A pavilion of canvas is, moreover, arranged on the different packet-boats, to conceal the ladies from the eyes of Europeans who embark in the same vessel with them. We staid at the same house where we had suffered so much before our appointment to Akiah. Thinking that we should not have to wait long before we got a new post, we only furnished two apartments, leaving the re- 108 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM mainder of our effects packed up. As soon as we ar- rived we had a Visit from my husband’s ccQJu-djo-hadar, the name given to a kind of agent, who goes to the Porte for dispatches on account of some two or three function- aries whom he represents, and Solicits for them vacant offices superior to those which they are then enjoying. He came to tell us that there was a report abroad that the governorship of Belgrad was about to be conferred on Mehemet-Pasha, although he was only a mz’rz’mz'ran, or general of division; whereas this command is not gen- erally given to any one under the rank‘of a muchz'r, or field-marshal. This favor was owing to Reshid-Pasha, the grand vizier, the political friend and supporter of my husband. A fortnight had hardly elapsed when we heard several couriers hurrying to our house, and uttering shoutsof joy. Thirty mekters, 0r couriers, people who hang about the Porte to learn the news, came, in fact, to announce the nomination of Mehemet-Pasha as governor of Bel- grad. ‘ , After receiving numerous Visits of congratulation, we left Constantinople to proceed to our new post. A pack. et-boat brought us to Varnat in abominable weather,.and over a frightfully rough sea. There we landed, and, af- ter a short journey, embarked again on a steamboat. As we were passing Widin, the governor invited Us to ‘stay. As it was night, he sent to meet us a great number of toreh-bearers, and also his carriages, and thus we were conducted to the palace. We were very kind] y received, and I passed the night with the four wives of the Pasha, Turkish women, as ignorant and as old as wives of the time of the Sultan Mahmud could possibly be. Aga- mu‘ m_‘_ J0 URNE’Y T0 BELGRAD. 109 Hussein-Pasha had formerly been an aga of the Janiza- ries. He had participated in the massacre of that body by setting fire to one of their principal barracks, and so was promoted to the grade of muchz’r. A beautiful and sumptuous supper was placed before us. In the morn- ing we re-embarked at four o’clock, but were soon obliged to leave the steamboat, a dam preventing our passage higher up the river. XVe then had to avail our- selves of horrible flat-boats, drawn by oxen, to clear that part of the Danube where the‘shallowness presented an obstacle to the passage of steamers. I preferred to go ashore, and fellow on foot the barges in which the bag- gage and the slaves were stowed. I thus enjoyed the prospect of the beautiful defile bordering on the river. \Ve afterward took a small steamer at the point where the stream again became navigable, and by that means arrived off Belgrad. Instead of landing on the Turkish bank, the Pasha stopped at Semlin, on the Austrian side, to pay his compliments to the commander, who gave us a favorable reception, placed a house at our disposal, and sent a military band to play under my Windows while he conferred With my husband. 110 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM'. CHAPTER XII. Residence at Belgrad.—-M0notony of our Existence thera—Revolt of the Sermons, and my Visit to the Pm'nce. THE following morning we crossed the Danube, and found the Turkish troops drawn up to receive us. They escorted us to the fortress, which stands on an elevation overlooking the town, which is built on an amphitheatre, stretching upward along the River Save. The palace is situated in the centre of the fort; casemates are placed under the batteries to serve as a refuge in case of siege, and, these gates must be passed befOre, you reach the principal courtyard, on which the palace abuts. Residence at this place was not very agreeable. We had no garden, and I attempted to obtain some recrea- tion by walks in the surrounding country, but it was ut- terly barren ; there was no verdure, and only a tree here and there at long intervals. The only herds or flocks I ever came across were composed exclusively of swine. The Serbian population being hostile to the Turks, I had no acquaintance except among the old wives of officials who were superannuated, and compelled by the Govern- ment to reside on the spot. The plineess, wife of the reigning Prince Alexander, came to call upon me, and I received her at the foot of the staircase—a mark of attention which produced a great effect upon her, since none of the Turkish ladies who had preceded me had. ever taken the trouble so to receive a Christian. They would remain sitting on their .‘w- 2‘! RESIDENCE AT BEL GRAD. 111 divans, and would never return the calls made on them. On the contrary, with the governor’s permission, I went in a carriage, escorted by cawases, to see the princess. Her husband met me in the court-yard of his palace, and, by his orders, his guard was drawn up in a double line, through which I passed, while the band played the na- tional Ottoman march. He took me by the hand and conducted me to his wife, who received me, attended by her two daughters, lovely girls of sixteen and fourteen respectively. All three were in the national Serbian eostume—red cap, worn on the side of the head, with a tassel hanging over the shoulder; plaited hair, the plaits being turned back 011 the forehead ; embroidered jacket, with large sleeves, inside ”which were other and falling sleeves of muslin; and a short skirt reaching to the an- kle. After exchanging a few words, I took my leave of their highnesses, and was reeondueted to my carriage in the same eeremonious manner as that in which I had been received. Belgrad was then an ill—built town ; its streets were nar- row, dirty, and iH-paved. The Shops’were numerous, but they offered no attractions. The Belgrad of that period, therefore, was a very different place from what we see it nowadays. At that time it contained about five hun- dred families of Turkish-origin, supported solely by pen- sions, given them by the Ottoman Government in con- sideration of the prosperity they had formerly enjoyed, and which the Serbians had monopolized. The eus- toms of this little colony differ, in some points, from those of Constantinople. Most of the girls have light hair, but when they marry they stain their hair, eye- lashes, and eyebrOWS. They also paint themselves in an 112 THIRTY YEARS IN THE Julamz. extraordinary manner: you may tell a married woman by this. Their dress is somewhat different from that of other Ottoman women. They wear a tarboosh over a loose flowing handkerchief, an embroidered jacket with pendent sleeves, and Wide trowsers, embroidered at the sides. The climate of Serbia is extremely hot in summer, and fevers are prevalent; in Winter the cold is very severe, and there" are heavy falls of snow. Every year the Dan- ube freezes, Which 'cauSes numerous accidents. At a day’snotice, the boats find themselves shut in by the ice; the break-up comes With equal snddenness, and they are shattered to pieces Without the least chance of avoiding the catastrophe. Deprived of the amusement of walking, and having intercourse with only a very limited number of people, I endeavored to occupy myself in variousWays. I During the Winter the town is abso1ute1y deprived of water, the river being frozen over. The ice is brought into the house in wooden buckets, and water procured by melting it. This mode of supply came very dear, so I purchased ten carts and the requisite number of horses, and engaged men to take charge of them, and my steward employed them in carrying ice from house to house. This little speculation brought me in more than a thou- sand francs a month a thing not to be despised in a post where we had no other income than the salary paid us by the Porte. One day the Pasha saw one ofthese carts. . “Whoever took up that idea Ought to realize a famous profit,” said he to me. I took good care not to let him know that the idea was my own. , The want of a garden distressed me so much that I re— RESIDENCE AT BEL GRAD. 113 solved to have one. I ordered my steward to procure fifty convicts, to whom I gave a small gratuity. Every morning, while the Pasha. was absent on the duties of his office, my galley-slaves were employed in clearing a waste piece of land by the side of our palace. After- ward they went for shrubs and plants, which I had de- manded from the Turkish inhabitants, and brought them, together with the earth that surrounded them. In about three weeks’ time I had a beautiful garden, embellish- ed with an arbor covered with climbing plants] The labor over, I invited the PaSha to take a turn in the garden. “A turn in the garden?” he cried. “ IVhy, we have none!” ‘ “Very well; then let us walk on the plot of ground there, close by the side.” “As you p1ease,”said he; “but I don’t know what fancy you have for walking in that barren place.” I leave my readers to conjecture his astonishment when he' arriVed at the place and saw the ground cover- ed with shrubs ahd with flowers already'full-blown. He could scarcely believe that all this had been done in twenty days. After this I set about the realization of a new project. I asked twenty young girls of the city to come to my house, and proceeded to teach them to spin and weave silk, to embroider, and do other light work of the kind. I gave them suitable remuneration, while teaching them to work; I gave them their meals also. It afforded me great diversion to see myself surrounded by these young folks, and so I paSsed all my days among them. An unlooked-for event suddenly forced us into quite 114 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. another occupation. One night a Turk and a Serbian took to quarreling. The dispute rose to such a height that the Christian was killed by the Mussulman. The latter, without awaiting the discovery of the crime, tool: refuge in the citadel. As a vessel'was leaving for Con- stantinople next morning, the governor made him em- bark in it, fearing that, if he kept him at Belgrad, he would be obliged to deliver up to the Serbians a man who had acted as a true believer in taking the life of an infidel. When the corpse was discovered, the whole town rose in indignation on learning that a member of the ortho- dox religion had been the victim of a Mohammedan. The Turks resident in the town rushed in to ask our protection, bringing the' most valuable of their effects, and pouring forth the terror of their souls in describing the excitement that prevailed. Soon we saw the popu- lace in arms rushing toward the citadel, raising infuri- ated cries, and demanding the culprit. They threatened to take the place by storm, and massacre the whole gar- rison. The Pasha, having nearly two thousand men un- der his command, could. not resist a prolonged siege, while he would infallib’ly have succumbed to the attack of an enemy ten times superior in numbers. For seven days we remained shut up in the fort, dreading every instant to see the attack commenced. A state bf anxiety so prolonged became all the more uneridurable as we had the prospect of famine, should the situation continue unaltered. No one, not even the governor himself, dared to venture beyond the intrenehments. Weary of seeing ourselves deprived of all communi- cation with the outer world, I resolved to make an effort REVOLT OF THE SERBIANS. 115 to change the posture of affairs, to go out of the citadel and call on the prince. IVithout informing any one of my intention, I had my carriage prepared, and ordered the cawas to accompany me. This command struck them with amazement. They thought they were march- ing to certain death. For my own part, I thought that the insurgents would respect me as a woman. It was not, however, without a certain feeling of apprehension that I heard the vociferations which arose on all sides when the outer gate was opened. My carriage, mean- while, advanced, surrounded by the reluctant cawasses. As soon as the Serbians perceived the they ceased their hostile demonstrations, ranged themselves respectfully along the road, and escorted me as far as the, prince’s palace. His highness received me with perfect courtesy. The guards formed in lines on either side, and the mili- tary band struck up. “ You are courageous,” said the prince, as he conduct- ed me to his apartments, “but the Pasha has been, in some degree, the cause of what has occurred, in giving protection to a murderer. I could not repress the pub- lic indignation without exposing my authority to mis- construction.” “Your highness,” I replied, “we are here to protect the Turks; it was our duty to receive the man of whom you complain.” “However,” said the prince, “it seems to me an un- warrantable thing that a crime like that should remain unpunished. It is necessary that a public offender shohld be surrendered to justice.” . “We are not invested with unlimited authority,” I rejoined, in my turn; “ we are bound to execute the com- 116 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. mands of the Sultan, so we have written to Constantino- ple to ask for instructions.” “Well,” cried Prince Alexander, “how do you pro- pose that I should calm the populace, when I have no satisfaction to offer them '2” “ That is your affair,” I answered. “It appears to me that we can not do better than await the orders of the Imperial Government. Your highness must try, in the mean time, to appease the excitement of the population.” The prince having given me an assurance to that effect, I 1eft and went back to the fortress accompamed by an escort. Soon afterward the prince issued a proclamation to the effect that the Pasha had demanded authority from the Porte to deliver the criminal up to j ustiee; that an answer would be received ere long which, it was to be hoped, would be a favorable one. I The Serbians beginning to tire of their hostile atti- tude, and the body having been buried, they calmed down gradually, and returned to their homes. In the course of a week or so after my visit to the prince, com- munication was reestablished between the fort and the town. The governor then invited the prince, to come and 100k for the accused. It was impossible, he'said, to give him up, inasmuch as, the very night on'whioh the crime was committed, he had escaped on board a vessel just putting out to sea. It was therefore useless to spend any more time over an affair the settlement of which was impracticable. “If,” he added7 “I have not sooner informed you how the matter stands, it is because I was unwilling to let you suppose that I feared the threats that were leveled against me when your subjects BANQ UET. 117 demanded the surrender of the Mussulman who has been the cause of these disturbances.” The prince pretended to believe what was told him, but remained convinced that the escape was the work of the governor. To, confirm, however, the reconciliation, he asked the Pasha to accept, in my name, an invitation to a banquet Which the princess offered me. She would invite a cer- tain number of Serbian ladies, and they, proud of the honor I did them, would forget, and make their hus- bands forget, the late dissensions. To put an end to all further agitation on the subject, the prince gave out that the delinquent had been sent to Constantinople, there to expiate his crime. Desirous of responding to the polite attention shown me, I ordered some of the Turkish ladies resident in the town to accompany me to the residence of the princess of Serbia. ' They went with reluctance, having a horror of the pork and the wine that would Certainly be found on the table of a Christian. Most of them being, as I said before, the wives or daughters of ex~offieials, for- merly in the service of the Sultan Mahmud, were very zealous followers of Mohammed. One was upward of eighty years old. All the Turkish ladies placed themselves on the same side of an immense table with myself. Her highness and the Serbian ladies faced us. The banquet was on a truly princely scale. In order not to hurt the feelings of her highness, I partook with indifference of the vari- ous dishes on the table. The other ladies imitated my example, thinking that I would never eat pork. Pres- ently Champagne was poured out for every one. I pro- posed a toast to the health of the Sultan, andanother to 118 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. that ofIskender-Bey (Prince Alexander of Serbia). The Turkish ladies, who had never before seen Champagne, were not at all sure whether what they were drinking was wine or lemonade—the sparkling of it, however, puzzled them a. bit. The prince, to show how much he was pleased with me, sent me next morning a very handsome ring and a pair of magnificent ear-rings. Thus terminated an af— fi‘ay, the beginning of Which was as threatening as the issue was pacifie. During my sojourn at Belgrad, I gave birth to a son, whom his father named Mustapha-Djehad-Bey. Musta— pha was the name of the Pasha’s father, While the sur- name Djehad, which signifies “war,” was given because the infant came into the world in time of war the Hun- garian war of 1847. The birth of an heir was for the Pasha an event which filled his heart with joy to an extent that he celebrated it by the means of festiVals and fire-works. - 4x; ...,__V_..r.\. gnni‘mu 1.1 ~ THE KADIN-EFFLWDI. 119 CHAPTER XIII. Recall of Mehemet-Pasha. —IIe 2's appointed Mushir. ——Inm'tatz'on from tke Kadin-Efendir—Ifer History—Oonditz'on of Slaves in Turkey. AFTER remaining about a year at Beigmd, we were recalled home. As we expected, this time, to reside there for a lengthened period, we furnished our house suitably. Scarcely‘had we got fairlysettied, when a maizben-cgjz', 0r Chamberlain of the Sultan, came, attended by a military band, bringing my husband the firman which appointed him to the rank of mushir, or field- marshal. The imperial warrant was inelosed in a cover of green silk adorned with gold tasseis. After placing it on the table, the Chamberlain kissed the firman, raised it respectfully to his forehead; and read it in a distinct tone; the band struck up a ti‘iumphal air, and all then retired. During the next few days my husband received nu- merous congratulatory Visits, while the ladies, on their part, came to pay their respects to me. The kadin-(gfiendi (second'wife) of Mahmud, and mother of Merimah-Sui— tan, sister of Abdul-Medjid, sent her Zy'aja-kadz'n to in— vite me to go and spend two or three days in her pal- ace, situated at Taria-Baschi, facing Doima-Bagtehe, a res- idence of the Sultan. Dressing myself in my best attire, I took with me a beautiful white slave, and a eunuch of good height, both designed as presents to my hostess. Another eunuch at- 120 TEIRTY YEARS IN THE IL4REM. tended me as my servant. I drove to the palace, and on arriving at the garden entrance was received by more than a hundred slaves drawn up on each side of my car- riage, and lining the way to a magnificent marble stair- case leading to'the harem. Several of them, taking me under the arms, assisted me to ascend. The hashadar housta, or grand mistress, here met'me, and cohdaeted me to my apartments. These consisted of three rooms— drawing-room, hed-room, and dinihg-room. Roses, white and red, adorned the walls; the curtains were of beauti- ful striped cashmere; costly carpets covered the floors; splendid mirrors were arranged at intervals; golden cups, enriched with precious stones, and filled with sweetmeats, were placed here and there, in case I should need any refreshment. Besides com fortable divans, there were arm-ehairs of European manufacture, and lamps were disposed together with large massive silver candle- sticks in the Oriental style, resembling those used for ta- pers in the churches in France. All the other rooms were furnished pretty much in the same fashion. I gave my yashmak, or vei1,and my feradje, or man- tle,' to a servant, who placed them in the proper recepta- cle. After resting for about an hour, I was told that the Sultana awaited me. I found her seated on a tandour (above described) of red velvet,embroidered with spangles. The curtains of her room were of flowered cashmere, and slaves stood round about. As soon as I entered7 she congratulated me on the good taste of my toilet, and invited me to sit at her feet on a velvet cushion embroidered with gold. This was a great honor. We began to converse, and the Sultana displayed a vivaeity of spirits, and a degree of HER HISTOR Y. 12 1 intelligence Which I have rarely met with in a Turkish woman. She was tall and fair-haired ; and her skin, eX- tremely White, set off the freshness of her complexion. Knowing that I hadbeen in Europe, she interrogated me as to the manners and customs of the Christians, the way the towns were built, the balls, theatres, systems of lighting by gas, architecture of the palaces, and a thousand other matters unknown to Oriental women. I answered all these questions, and she seemed well pleased, and tes- tified her satisfaction by recounting to me her troubles. “I was the adopted daughter,” said she, “of Behiyé— Sultan, sister of the Sultan Mahmud. The latter rarely Visited her sister, but dreading lest I should take his fan- cy, knowing, as I did, how short would be the duration of his attachment, I hid myself every time he called. I would rather have preserved my liberty by marrying some Pasha than become the Sultan’s Wife; In the mean time, Mahmud had learned that his sister had’adopted me, and he was often surprised that he’ did not see me. “ One day Behiyé-Sultan gave a grand banquet to her brother. I barricaded myself in my room by placing a chest of drawers against the door, but the Sultan, Who had a strong predilectionl for the fair sex, conceived a stratagem in order to get at me. ‘Before supper,’ said he to my mistress, ‘I am going to pay a Visit to your ha- rem.’ He entered, in succession, all the rooms. Seeing my door shut, he pushed against it so vigorously as to dis- place the chest of drawers, and discovered me concealed behind a Clivan. Offering me his hand, he conducted me to his sister7 and presenting me to her, said, ‘You see I have done well to Visit your palace, for I have discover- ed a treasure.’ 6 122 THIRT Y YEARS IN T111? HAREM. “ ‘It is my adopted daughter,’ replied Behiyé-Sultan. “ ‘I am so greatly enamored of her,’ rejoined Mahmud, ' ‘that I can not rest until you have given her to me.’ “ ‘I can refuse you nothing,’ she responded, ‘beoause you are my master; but, as I have adopted this young lady, I will treat her as my daughter—I will give herva dowry, and send her to you as a lady of good birth.’ “ My mistress some days after sent me to the seragho with great ceremony, and With magnificent presents, Which she gave me as my dower. For ten days the Sultan was most assiduous in his attentions; after that period he showed himself no more. I had separate and sumptuous apartments, numerous slaves, as many orna- ments as I Wished for, but I endured with impatience the monotony of my existence. I concealed my grief, and strove to make myself as agreeable as I possibly could to those Who attended on me. I never left the palace; I never received a visit from any one; every morning I took my bath, said my prayers, and then shut myself up in my solitude. “ The few days I had passed in the society Of the Sul- tan resulted in my eventually giviug birth to a daughter, Merimah-Sultan. “Then the time came to get her a bus- band, I resolved that she should make her choice. I showed her the portraits of several young men, each worthy of her hand. She fixed upon Said-Pasha. “ Very few months had elapsed, when my poor daugh- ter, already enceinte, died, and With her my last solace disappeared. “ The mother of Sultan Abdul-Medjid always regards me with a jealous eye. She Will scarcely allow me to receive, once a month, a visit from Said-Pasha When he HER HISTORY. 123 is at ConstantiiiOple. Moreover, I am never allowed to hear my daughter spoken of.” - IVhiIe uttering these words I saw the big tears start from her eyes. The spectacle of so lively a sorrow touched me, and I felt myself overwhelmed with sympa- thy for her. “Judge,” continued this poor woman, “whether the Valideh-Sultan, the Sultan’s mother, can regard me fa- vorably. 'Whereas I was the adopted daughter of a Su1~ tana, size served in the harem, and was engaged in the most menial occupations. One day when, her hair in disorder, she was carrying fuel to the bath, the Sultan saw her through a window, and took a sudden fancy for her. He bid her immediately to lay down the bundle of fire-wood, and come with him to the bath. It is in this way that she became the mother of the present Sul- tan. This woman always shows herselfmy enemy. She sees with envy that her son, desirous of showing respect to his father, comes to see me sometimes.” After conversing some time longer with the Sultana, I retired to my apartments, where an abundant supper was presently served. I staid three days at the palace, and spent my time very agreeably. Sometimes I talked with the Sultana, at other times some of her principal slaves came to keep me company, and told me the story of their flirtations. V “we like,” said one of them, “to drive out a10ne,now and then, in a hired carriage, to tease the young men, who amuse themselves by following us. One day, when four of us were in the same carriage, we saw two Pashas, still in their youth, approach us. They distinguished our features through our yatsmaks (these veils are of 124 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. very thin silk gauze), and drew near to the door of our conveyance. “They asked us, by signs, whether we would accept some fruit, to which ,we answered in the affirmative. After offering refreshment, they gave us a serenade, and then presented us with small purses full of gold, which we accepted. Emboldened 011 seeing that their gifts were welcome, they followed us, to learn where we lived, and to know who we were. What was their surprise when’ they saw our carriage direct its course toward the palace7 and observed that we stopped before the great gate of the harem! The poor fellows seemed over- whelmed with chagrin and wrath. To'mock them, we waved our hands as a farewell salutation.” It was thus these poor ghls sought at times to enter- tain themselves. The1e is no doubt that the position of the slaves is not a very happy one. As the opportunity presents itself heie, we will avail ourselves of it to say a few words 011 the condition of these Victims of misfo1- tune and jealousy. The g1eater number are poor Circassians; the 1e111ai11- der comprise Arabs, Peisians, and others. They are sold to the slave- merchants, either by agents, who have brought them up, or by the parents themselves. The latter look upon their daughters as a means of raising money; they also think that by selling them they are contributing to their happiness. It is a fact that the women in Circassia spend any thing but an agreeable existence; being employed in the most laborious field- work, they are looked upon as mere beasts of burden by their fathers and husbands. All the household duties also devolve uponthem. The men would scorn to abase SLA VES IN TURKEY. 125 themselves by doing any thing useful: they are warriors, and that is all. In Constantinople, the slave-merchants generally in- habit the district of ,Top-hane. When any one wishes to buy a slave, he applies to these gentry, and they ex- hibit, for his selection, a band of young peasant-girls, scantily Clad, Who have only left their mountain homes a few months previously, and speak none other than the barbaric language of their tribes. They sell for various prices, aCCOrding to‘ the degree of beauty qualifying them for. engagements as' dancers, musicians, bath-women, fem- mes de cizmnbre, or odalisques; a The'amount ranges from about four thousand up to twenty thousand francs or thereabout (£160 to £800). They must be of extraor- dinary'beauty to come up to the last-mentioned figure. If they are not good-looking, they are only employed in duties that do not necessitate their appearance in the presence of their masters, in‘whioh case their value does not exceed from fifteen hundred to two thousand francs. They are sold usually at about twelve or thirteen years of age, but there are cases of sales at the early age of six or seven. This happens, however, only Where a lady Wishes to bring them up as her slaves, either to accustom them to her service, or to re-sell them at a profit when ' they are older. Their mistress makes them dress be- comingly, teaches them to conduct themselves properly, and to speak the Turkish language. Their attention is bestowed on the cultivation of the particular talent by which they are to distinguish themselves; such as music, dancing, hairdressing, etc. If their charms seem tojus- tify their aspiring to the dignity of odalisques, they learn to deck themselvesgracefully; to observe the usages 126 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. recognized in Mussulman society; to offer sherbet or coffee; to salute with greater or less formality, or to seat themselves higher or lower, according to the rank of the person paying or receiving a visit; to accompany their mistresses, etc. When they have received this primary education their value is proportionately augmented, and it is at this pe- riod that they are re-sold. The singers, the performers on the guitar, flute, tabour, or tambourine, the dancers and castanet-players, then enter the harems 0f g'reat 1a- dies, Whom they are required to entertain. These are held in the highest estimation. They cost from six to eight thousand francs. If any lady possesses a pretty-looking slave, the fact soon gets known. The gentlemen Who Wish to buy an odalisque or a Wife7 make their offers. Many Turks, in- deed, prefer to take a slave as a wife, as, in such ease7 there is no need to dread fathers, mothers, or brothers-in- law, and other undesirable relations. A girl can never be sold for a wife or an odalisque Without her own consent. The purchase of a slave is transacted in the following manner: After having examined her from head to foot, the intending purchaser, male or female, agrees on the price. The bargain concluded, next day the girl is sent to his or her house7 accompanied by an old woman, who never lets her out of her sight. She remains several days, in order that it may be ascertained Whether or not she has any material defect. A midwife is called in to make sure that the neW-comer has never previously had intercourse with any one. It is after this examination that the purchase-money is paid, and the sale legalized by a formal receipt called peicheb. SLA VES IN TURKEY. 127 In every house Which a slave enters she is nearly equally miserable. \Vives and odalisques comprise the superior class. If their master is rich, they enjoy all the refinements of luxury—carriages, excursions, banquets, ' servants of all kinds. But it frequently happens that, after being for some time the only Wife, the husband in- troduces another as her associate in his affections. \Vhatever may be her condition, slave 01‘ free, the new wife reduces the first to the second rank. If she be equally a slave, the only result is jealousy; but if she be wealthy, and ofa family Which the husband holds in re- spect, then the poor slave-Wife has to pit up with all the annoyances, all the humiliations that a jealous and all- powerful rival can invent. Her life is one long martyr- dom, Which frequently reaches a tragical termination. \Vhen a slave enters the harem of a lady of high rank, her situation is trul y deplorable. As has been described in the establishment of Nazly-Hanum, she is usually compelled to spend her nights standing, attendant 0n the riotous excesses of her mistress. From sheer capriee, they often find themselves condemned to be scourged by eunuchs armed With curbatches, 0r Whips of elephants skin. On the other hand, these unhappy creatures are often subjected at once to the desires of their master and the terrible jealousy of their mistress. Threatened with per- petual celibacy, excited by the idea of being chosen ei— ther as odalisques or as Wives of the second grade, fre- quently taken advantage of by force—every thing con- tributes to their downfall. As soon as their mistress has an inkling of any intrigue, all the vials of her fury are poured out. Her husband, his patience being at 128 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. length exhausted, abandons his victim to the resentment of his wife, who proceeds to get rid of her rival forth- with by selling her. . If the unhappy girl finds herself eneeinte, she can not be sold while in that condition. Moreover, she can not be sold if she gives birth to a son. Her mistress, there- fore, takes her to a midwife in order to procure abortion. Slaves, howeVer, have occasionally a dismal kind of solace. They may please their mistress Without attract- ing the attentions of their master. If they are in the se- mglio, or in some great house, they may become isjaja— kaolin (first lady), or haznadamusta (treasurer), in which case they have‘sepamte apartments, Wltll carriages and servants at their diSposal. rI‘hese are} great ladies. The treasurer to the Valideh-Sultan had more than two hun- dred-slaves or eunuehs under her orders. I began to get tired of my residence in the palace. Aceustomed to a quiet way of living, I was obliged, for fear of vexing those who attended on me, to partake of all the dishes placed on my table, which seriously incon- venienced me. In the mean time I could not take my leave; such a proceeding would have been a breach against the etiquette of the seraglio. I had to wait, therefore, till my femdje’ and my yashmak Were restored V to me, and it was With real satisfactionthat, on the fourth day7 I saw the ladies in waiting bringing these articles. I sent the Sultana the eunuch and the young slave-girl, Whom I had brought for her acceptance, and she sent me, in return, a present of a beautiful gold watch, green~ enameled, and set with brilliants, as was also the chain. She sent my daughter a piece of striped cashmere. As the Sultana had made presents of money to my m_‘fl-Anumw w..._4.— PRESENTS. 129 eunuch, my coachman, and my other servants, I was obliged to return the compliment with respect to her household. I wrapped small gold coins in embroidered handkerchiefs corresponding in number to her servants, and remitted the whole to the treasurer, one of whose privileges it is to undertake distributions of this kind. If by accident, in making Lip my packets, I had over- looked any slave, it would not have been- good manners on my part to go before repairing the omission, and ifI had not sufficient money left for the purpose, I should have been obliged to send and procure a fresh supply before taking my departure. After satisfying every body7 I got into my carriage and drove off. 6% 130 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. CHAPTER XIV. Object of the Honor done me by the Kadtn-Efiendt—Intrigue 0f Satd-Pasha against Rashid-Pashm— Charade?“ of this Minister. THE invitation Which the Kadin-Effendi had sent me was not altogether disinterested. Knowing that my hus- band was in favor With Reshid-Pasha, the then all-pow- erful grand vizier, she Wished to secure my services in behalf of Said-Pasha, husband of her. deceased daughter, then in exile at Castambolu. Said-Pasha, like all the partisans 0f the ancient Otto- man institutions, saw With jealousy the elevation of a minister imbued with European ideas. As soon as any official whatsoever shows himself to be animated with ideas of progress, decides, Without respect of persons, all matters that come in question before him; or gives proof of intelligence and education, the title of gz'aour (infidel) is conferred upon him. All things straightway conspire to bring about his fall. If he can not be en- trapped into some fault sufficiently grave to insure his complete disgrace, attempts are made to get him banish- ed to a command in some semi-barbarous, frontier prov- ince, destitute of every resource, and Where the most brilliant talents and the best intentions become unpro- ductive of advancement; exercised, as they are, in coun- tries far removed from the eye of the master, by whom Whatever takes place, good or bad, is regarded With . equal indifference. At the period of which we are speaking, the policy INTRIG UE 0F SAID-PASIIA. 181 of Russia with regard to the Porte was becoming more and more menacing, and war was imminent. The grand vizier saw that all was lost if he could not contrive to counterbalance the power of Russia by means of an al- liance with the Western Powers. The Sultan viewed with repugnance the formation of alliances which, in case of war, would bring foreign troops to Constantinople. “ Who knows,” said he, “ whether, when they have once gained admission, the Allies will consent to Withdraw from a place which all European nations covet with about equal ardor?” Riza-Pasha, Said-Pasha, Mehemet-Ali-Pasha, and all the other ministers attached'to the old Turkish party, resolved to take advantage of the repugnanee of Abdul- Medjid to European preponderancy. They spread a re- port that the sadr-azam (grand vizier) only spoke of the intervention of the European Powers in order to realize the bargain which he had concluded with them. “He is about to sell to the Europeans,” said they7 “ Constanti- nople, and all our possessions in Europe. Now he wish- es to deliver up to them all they have bought of him, for its price in gold.” Sa'l'd-Pasha then addressed a memorandum to the Sul- tan, in which he called his majesty’s attention to the designs of Reshid; warning him that, if he was not on his guard, the French and English would be taking pos- session of his fairest provinces; that the Russians had an understanding with the other Powers as to their par- tition; that the Museovite threats and the French and English offers were in furtherance of an adroit manoeu- vre, designed to trick the Porte through the concerted action of the several cabinets. 182 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. The other ministers were to affix their seals to this document, which it was intended to present to the Pa— dishah as the expression of the fears entertained by all. At the decisive moment, they induced Said-Pashu to make, in the first instance, a verbal communication to their master. “You are his brother-in-law; what have you to fear? If you find that you have a favorable hearing you may reckon beforehand on our approval.” The too-confiding minister listened to their counsels, went to theSultan, skillfully turned to account the sus- picions with which the prospect of a WTestern alliance had possessed him, and thought to convince him of the grand vizier’s treason. Abdul-Medjid was naturally little addicted to forming violent resolves, and a reaction was at work in his mind. “All you tell me appears true,” he cried, “but up to the present time Reshid-Pasha has served me faithfully. He has always given proof of great zeal, and I have nev- er known him betray the interests of his country. -You are bringing against him an accusation of the gravest possible character, and you stand alone in mentioning it to me. I hesitate to believe you, and to ruin, on mere suspicion, the most intelligent man in the empire.” “I am not alone in my warnings,” replied Said-Pasha. “All the other ministers are in accord With me, and I am ready to give your majesty a written proof to that effect.” “If it is so, I yield,” said the Sultan. “Furnish me with this deoument, and I am resolved to take action on it,” he added, as he dismissed his interlocutor. The latter hastened to his colleagues to announce the successful result of his undertakiug,but he strove in vain .JAa/a. 03.3.! n‘n‘m‘fi irqu M‘L‘flr . INTRIG UE 0F SAID—msjm. 133 to persuade them to sign the required document. They thought, and with reason, that their adversary would not fail to defend himself vigorously before his master. He would challenge his accusers to supply proofs, of which they were devoid. They‘saw themselves, in prospect, exposed to the hatred of a vindictive and all-powerful minister. . Reshid-Pasha got to know of the steps taken before the Sultan, and of the insuperabie difficulty which Said- Pasha had found in the way of his again presenting him- self with the confirmatory evidence demanded of him. He decided, therefore, Oferidding himself of' Said and. driving him into exile. It was under these circumstances that. the Kadin-Ef- fendi invited me. She entreated me to speak to my husband, and get him to intercede with the grand vizier, in order to obtain the recall of the disgraced Pasha. I promised to exert all my Zeal in his favor. Reshid-Pashzt made a pretense Of pardoning. He re- called Said, and gave him the goverhorship of Damascus. This was a clever sehenle to effect his utter ruin. Da- mascus was one of the most troublesome commands in the empire, on account of its mixed population. Arabs,- Greeks, Turks, Mussulmans, Christians, Jews, found themselves side by side. Hence arose perpetual diffi- culties. The success of my husband’s intervention made me none the less friends with Said-Pasha and his mother-in- law. That which the spiteful Reshid foresaw came to pass. A Jew having committed a theft, the governor had him severely bastinadoed to make him confess his crime. 134 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. The accused died next day. The Israelites were in re- bellion; they dispatched a deputation to Constantinople, and brought to bear upon the Porte the Whole weight of the Société Israelite Universelle, and of Sir Moses Mon- tefiore’s diplomatic ability. The grand vizier, content With the power of charging his enemy With murder, lost 110 time in degrading him, and sending him into exile at Koniah. , His vengeance was satiated. Reshid-Pasha was a, man endoWed With superior intel- ligence, and Who possessed, in addition, great strength of character. His expressive countenance indicated, at the same time, great determination and great subtlety. He could not, however, quite conceal an air of vindictive- ness, Which displayed itself especially When he fixed his glance on an adversary whom he had just received With exquisite courtesy, and Who was Withdrawing, convinced of the minister’s favorable intentions in his behalf. He was rather below the middle height; dark-complexioned, with black beard and very thick eyebrows; While his broad shoulders and massive neck betokened the man of vigorous energy. . THE SI’VEET WA TEES. 185 CHAPTER XV. The Promenades about 00nstcmtinople.—— T726 Batrmn.—fi[ehemet— Pasha is appointed Ambassador to England. LEAVING the palace of the Kadin-Efi‘endi at an early hour, as it was a Thursday, and as, at Constantinople, each day has its particular promenade, I directed my steps to the Sweet Waters. - This is a spot to which people resort either on foot, in carriages, or in boats. The women keep on one side of a. long alley Winding along the bank of the stream, the men on the other; but the intervening space is small, and readily available for purposes of flirtation. The gentlemen throw flowers, or little complimentary notes, to the ladies; and the latter, if respectable, content themselves With acknowledging the attention by the gift of a flower or a note of thanks, and the matter goes no farther; for no one would dare to follow a woman of de- corum. It thus happens that young gentlemen and 1a- dies meet one another every day for years without be- coming acquainted; but, on the other hand, it is through these interviews that women of indifferent character find opportunities of contracting intimacies with their ad- mirers. They' reply to the notes thrown to them, ap- pointing a place of meeting, or giving their name and address, so that the suitor may employ an old woman, as a go-between, to arrange the affair. These promenades offer a very attractive scene at the times When they are frequented. The ladies descend 186 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. from their carriages, have a carpet spread on the grass, and seat themselves, with their slaves, to partake of a collation. They Vie With each other in the luxuries of the table Which are set forth on these occasions. Every- where may be seen the glitter of gold and silver plate. Bands of music perform, sometimes on the ladies’ side, sometimes on the opposite. Numberless skifi's are waft- ed along over the surface of the water. You may fre- quently see some lady of quality, seated with coquetry on a crimson cloth, fringed With gold, while her slaves sit opposite to her. The various colors of the feradjés, red, green, or blue; the magnificence of the equipages; the animation called forth by the strains of music, and the banquets enjoyed on the grass; the arrivals and de- partures of carriages and pleasure-seekers on horseback and on foot; the different costumes of the servants, eunuchs, and couriers; the picturesque costumes of the coster-mongers: all these afford it lively and agreeable spectacle. The Turkish ladies of rank never go out, on ordi- nary occasions, except in day-time. During the Remit zan, however, as before mentioned,' they‘go out only in the evening, and seldom come home before midnight. Throughout that month it is customary for the men'and the eunuehs to take part in a prayer called Témui, Which is offered at the close of each day, and lasts for'about an hour and a half. Many ladies take advantage of this period to go out and have an interview With their sweet- hearts, underthe pretext of Visiting a female friend. No husband would dare, at the risk of making himself an ob- ject of ridicule, to refuse his Wife permiséion to go out With an old ‘woman slave to a mosque,'or to a female friend. THE L’AIRAJII. 137 Indeed, one of the great sources of entertainment among the ladies, apart frem the promenade, is the in- terchange of calls. It is not unusual to see at the house ofa lady of some rank as many as twenty or thirty Vis- itors. They pass the time in gossiping, watching the slaves dance, listening to songs, drinking coffee or sher- bet, and smoking. The ordinary townspeople often stay till after supper, and light themselves home With lanterns. The women are generally the first to learn and Circu-~ iztte news. The men often Visit one another, but they are always reserved. They speak with less restraint to their wives, and tell them, for their entertainment, What they have heard, and What they' think of doing. The wives ‘of the high functionaries are on terms of close in- timacy with Other great ladies, and repeat to them What ‘ their husbands have said ; in this way the news is spread abroad with unheard-of rapidity. . The Ba'i'mm now arrived—a three days’ feast succeed- ing the Ramazan. This is the most memorable epoch of the Mussuiman year. ' It comprises, in importance, both the Easter and Christmas of the Christians. On the first morning, every husband embraces his wife, the Children Come to kiss the hands of their patr- ents, and friends and relatives exchange congratulations and embrace each other in the'streets. Every Mussui- man, from. the poorest to the richest, dresses himself in his best. The ladies go to pay their compliments to those of higher rank than their own. The great ladies do not make their calls until eight days after the termi- nation of the festival. The great drum that, every night during the Ramazan, gave the signal to‘arise from slum- ber, now makes its appearance to offer the compliments 138 TIJIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. of the season. The watchman who beats it marches through the streets, followed by a crowd of children of both sexes. The ladies, looking out through the Wick- ets in their lattices, give him pieces of money wrapped in muslin handlierehiefs. At the same time, the poor come round, offering oranges and sweetmeats, and gen- erally receive in exchange clothes and small pieces of money. The men also pay Visits to one another. those of inferior degree bringing presents of bonbons or fruit to their superiors. On the first day of the Ba'l'ram, the Sultan goes, on horseback, in great state, to the mosque, accompanied by all the ministers and high state officials, the ladies of the seraglio, the Wives of the ministers, and other dignitaries. On his return, the Sultan places himself under the eupola of the throne, and there receives the homage of his sub- jects. Every one, on approaching his majesty, kisses the edge of a. scarf carried by the first Chamberlain of the Court. The grand vizier is the first to perform this ceremony; then his musteshar (lieutenant), after kissing the scarf, salutes him, by raising his hand to his forehead, and then takes his place at his side. Every high fune- tionary, in the order of his degree, follows the example. The people celebrate the Ba'l'ram by tumultuous rejoi- oings. They go in crowds to the principal squares, Where are to be seen itinerant musicians, mountebanks, feneers, exhibitors of magie-lanterns, venders of sweetmeats and pastry—in fact, all the tribe one is accustomed to meet With at the public fétes in Europe. Three months after the Baira‘m, following the Rama- zan, comes the Kourban-Baimm, Which also lasts three days. Every man, no matter how poor, has two sheep T HE BAIRAM'. 13 9 allotted to him. Having uttered a prayer, he kills both the animais—one for himself, the other for his Wife, as, according to the Mussulman creed, the sheep that any one kills in the year of his death Will serve as a steed on Which he may cross the bridge of Siraht that leads to the gate of paradise. The rich, instead of performing the sacrifice themselves, employ a butcher, and have not one only, but often as many as ten or fifteen sheep kill- ed, according to their ineans. The animal is cut into a great number of pieces, and the owner sends a portion to each of his neighbors, and to all to whom he is desirous of paying a compliment. The three days of this festival is passed in entertain- ments, of Which the poor have their full share, so that they avail themselves of the presents that have been made them to provide for the present, and to put on one side Whatever food they wish to keep during the Winter. During these days the slaves and domestics are hard at work in the kitchen. Their chief occupation is that of preparing the meat preserves. The method they em- ploy is to fry and salt the meat; this once done7 they put it inside some big jar, Which is covered up to the top with an air-proof coating of grease. 140 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. CHAPTER XVI. Depcwture 0f the Pashafor London—Immaz'n at Constantinople.—- Jlfy Situation.—-Siclmess Q)" Djehad-Bey.—My Alarm—Fatmah, my IIousekeeper.—Her. 0071728628.—VT]L6 borrowed‘Infcmt.—00n- duct ofFatmah and Beskir.——Their Rivalry—My Proceedings:— Murdw qf Bcsht'r. IT was in the month of Ramazan, in the year 1848, that my husband was appointed ambassador to the En- . glish Court. This appointment was occasioned by the threatening attitude assumed by Russia by her interven- tion in the AuStro-Hungarian dificulty. The Porte, alarmed at the progress made by this Power, thought it necessary to form an alliance with the West; and partic- ularly with Great Britain. This delicate mission was in- trusted to Kibrizli-Mehemet-Pasha, who was intimate] y associated with Reshid-Pasha, the promoter of this new policy. Independently of the political reasons which influenced this nomination, Reshid had certain entirely private m0- tives for the selection of my husband; he wished to se- cure the friendship and support of the Palmerston Cabi- net7 and to bring financial operations to bear upon the London market. In other words, he offered England commercial and financial advantages in exchange for the support which that Power would undertake to give to his own policy and personal control. The negotiations which preceded this appointment did not take place al- together unknown to me. On the contrary, my share in the transaction materially assisted its prosperous issue. THE mSHA’s DEPARTURE 141 With this View I used my personal influence With the grand vizier, to induce him to nominate my husband to the post, in preference to any other candidate. Ki- brizli—Pasha used immense exertions to achieve his 0b- jeet, but he thought it prudent to send. me alone, in ad- vance, as a negotiator, for he feared lest he sheuld com- promise himself in vain. Experience had taught him that nothing was impossible to a woman. Indeed, some days before the Ba‘i'ram, Reshid-Pasha’s wife sent to inform me that my husband’s nomination had been laid before his majesty, and that, before long, the imperial reseript would be forwarded to us. The publication of the firman of investiture having taken place shortly afterward, the Pasha‘received the congrat- ulations of the 007395 dejalomatz'gue, and the high dignitaries of the Porte. These ceremonies concluded, he made his preparations for the voyage. Since religious prejudices and custom forbid Mussel- man wives to accompany their husbands into a Christian country, I was, of course, unable to go with my husband to his embassy. He consequently took all the steps necessary to the maintenance of his house. To this end he spared neither trouble nor‘eXpense, and left every thing at my disposal that I, my children, my slaves, and my domestics could possibly desire. Our farewell greetings were most affectionate and af- fecting. XVith tears in his eyes, the poor Pasha could scarcely tear himself away from me and his children. So strong was his grief that his voice was choked with convulsive sobs. This emotion was natural; for it was the first time since we had become man and wife that we were to be separated. H 142 THIRTY YEARS IN THE ILIREM'. But these adieus were the last that we should ever ex- change, little as we suspected it. A fatal destiny was soon to put an end to our happiness and that of our chil- dren. If a prophetic voice could have disclosed the fu- ture, the poor Pasha would not have hesitated an instant in turning with disdain from grandeur and ambition; never would he have consented to obtain them at the cost of what. he valued more than all the world beside. Destiny, however, whether cruel 0r pleasant, works its way in spite of our wishes or, fears, and these adieus, as I said7 were our last. It was long before I could find any solace for the grief that my husband’s departure had occasioned me. More- over, the solitary and monotonous life I led in my resi- dence at Yuksek-Caldirim could not but aggravate my sorrow, by rendering my very existence insupportable. I was principally occupied in silent contemplation of the beautiful view afforded from my window of the seven hills of Stambou], crowned with mosques, and surrounded by houses and gardens. 1 The Visitors who, from time to time, came to see me did something toward enlivening the dreary sameness of my every-day life. Among these, the ladies of the palace and the eunuehs 0f the seragiio af- forded me most entertainment, and for this reason, that persons of this class are far more sprightly and uncon- strained than the townspeople. Their manners are less affected, and consequently more sincere, and thus it is that their society is so agreeable, and brings such a charm to the spirit oppressed with the tedious routine of harem life. Among the eunuchs, moreover, I found friends whose company gave me pleasure, in that some of them were SIOKAE’SS 0F DJEILID. 143 accomplished poets and musicians. Ferhad-Agha, for example, combined both these qualities. He was a gen- uine troubadour, whose chivalrous sentiments and gay- 7 ety of heart repelled every thing that was ignoble, or that savored of spleen. IIis besetting weakness, how- ever, was a love of mki; but this was only natural: from all time, Bacchus and the Muses have dwelt to- gether in harmony. IVhenever, therefore, I could have my palace friends, I never failed to welcome them. As to the outdoor amusements offered in the public prome- nades, they were things for which I had little predilec- tion; besides, in Turkey, it is hot etiquette for a lady to go much abroad in the absence of her husband. In proof of this, instances may be cited where ladies have refrained, for many years, from setting foot outside their houses, in order to testify thereby their love for their ab— sent husbands. My horses, therefore, confined to their stables, had plenty of leisure to enjoy their good fare, and grow fat in their sloth. IVhole months often passed and I cared not to cross my threshold. It is clear that so retired and uneventful an existence could not but react upon my spirits, and afflict me with . a sense of uneasiness which I should find it difficult to describe. But, while thus tormented with enforced idle- ness and ennui, an unexpected and most serious event occurred to rouse me from my lethargy, and irrevocably to affect my future. My boy, Djehad- -Bey, was naturally of a sickly and. fee- ble constitution, so that he had always been a subject of great anxiety both to me and to his father. Soon after the Pasha left for London, Djehad’s health grew worse from day to day, so that the physicians at length lost all hope 144 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJII. of his recovery. This crowned my despair, for I knew that nothing could console his father for such a loss. The Pasha dearly loved this child, whom he regarded as his future heir. The death of his elder son, Moharem- Bey, had already eausedhim lively sorrow, and now, if Djehad died, he would be inconsolable. But, independ- ently of these considerations, which only affected me in- directly, sinister notions meanwhile filled my breast with alarm. Selfishness, making its voice heard amidst grief and disappointment, caused me, I must confess, to dread the consequences which the loss of Djehad might pro- duce as regards my position. It seemed to me that the loss of his heir would impel the Pasha to take another wife, and toput me on one side, after the fashion in Vogue among other Turks. ‘Vhen once this idea found a place in my brain it was impossibleuto get rid of it; on the contrary,‘all my efforts could not prevent its increas- ing more and more, until it at length attained the pro- portions of a vampire that persecuted me by night and by day. The state of feverish excitability into which I was thrown could hot be concealed from the eyes of my ac- quaintances, nor of those members of my household who frequented my presence. My housekeeper was one Fat- mah, a native of Syria, to whom my husband had in- trusted the management of the harem and the super- vision of the slaves. This person enjoyed a certain de- gree of importance, in consequence of the authority my husband had conferred upon her. Her position, and the attentions she lavished upon me, insured her free access to me, and warranted a certain familiarity which no one else would have dared to indulge in. She had observed FATMAH’S 00 UNSELS. 145 the change that had come over me since the sickness of my son, and hastened to ascertain its cause by prying into the secrets of my heart. Possessed of ability and tact, she was not slow in bringing them to bear upon the subject of the thoughts which were agitating my mind. No sooner had she succeeded to her heart’s content, than this vile woman conceived the diabolical scheme of tak- ing advantage of my weakness, by contriving a plot which would make me her Victim and place me in her power. She had come to Constantinople. to push her fortune as an adventuress, and all means of achieving her object were good in her eyes. Skillfully feigning to share my uneasiness and to take to heart my interests, while discussing'the probabilities that might arise out of the death of my poor boy, this woman, far from striving to tranquilize my spirits, inn creased my agitation by the assurance that my suspieions regarding my husband’s intentions were only too well founded, for she herself knew, on good authority, that the Pasha had resolved to marry again in case his son died. Such an event, she remarked, would inevitably bring about‘my destruction, as a woman like myself would never tolerate such an affront. Having succeeded, by such words as these, in convin- cing me of her devotion, and exciting in my breast the most violent emotions, Fatmah then proceeded to give me advice, and to tell me that it was needless to give way to despair, for that in this world a remedy could be found for every ill. Pressed to explain herself more particularly, Fatmah added: “ Well, madam, you have only to buy a child of some unhappy creature, and to put him in the place of your 7 146 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJII. own. The Pasha’s absence affords a golden opportunity which should not be lost.” This counsel cheered me to such a degree, that at that moment I did not hesitate to recognize in the treacher- ous Fatmah a savior who would restore my tranquillity and assure my happiness. But now, when I calmly re- flect on the impropriety of which I was guilty in asso- ciating with such a woman, I can scarcely understand how I could have had a mind so perverted and so blind- ed as to be unable to see that Fatmah’s project was a piece of sheer madness. To have recourse to a feigned confinement, in order to put forth as my own an infant that was the offspring of another, was a simple impossibility, for the very agents whom I should have to employ to execute such a piece of jugglery would be the first to reveal the secret and compromise me before the world. But a phantom of the imagination that seemed to be pursuing me, and the dread I entertained of a catastro- phe, so utterly blinded me, that I believed every thing to be possible. And so, with inconceivable simplicity, it appeared to me that nothing could be easier than to' give one’s self out to be eneeinte, and to borrow an infant, just as one may borrow a costume, or set of‘jewels, or any thing else. As for the agents whom it was neces- sary to employ in the performance of this precious trick, it never entered into my head that they would take the earliest opportunity of betlaying me. And, 111 the mean time, I was the woman whose intel- lect was vaunted and admired by every one; she whom all were ready to consult as if she were an oracle! But such is the weakness of the human mind, which from the OOND UOT 0F FATMAE. 147 loftiest height may fall into the abyss of insanity and blind infatuation! It is an acknowledged truth that the more spirit one has, the more follies one commits. That ‘ my folly was inexcusable I admit, and it is this convic- tion that has led me to endure with resignation the twen- ty years of suffering to which I have been condemned. But this fault, which had its source in a feeling of jeal- ousy, very natural in a woman, attained, thanks to the spite of my enemies, the proportions of an infamous crime. They who thirsted for my blood transformed, I say, a simple fault into a crime, and punished me by so- cial degradation, by exile, by the confiscation of every thing I possessed, and by condemning me to a life of misery and shame. It is time, however, to take up the thread of my story at the point from which I have di- gressed. Fatmah succeeded in obtaining my consent, and all the needful measures were taken to prepare for the birth of the pretended infant. The critical period having arrived, Fatmah went in search of a. child, and bought one from a poor woman, who Was glad to get rid of what she found too heavy a burden. It must here be mentioned that Fatmah was not alone in the enterprise, for it would have been impossible for her to accomplish her work without previously securing the aid of another agent. \Vith this View, she thought fit to take into her confidence one of the eunuchs, named Beshir, in order that he might have a hand in the clan- destine introduction of the infant. However, all the pains they took were absolutely useless, inasmuch as the sickness of my son Djehad all of a sudden took a favor- able turn, and his recovery was not long delayed. And so, after all, the only result of this affair was that I found 148 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREZII. myself charged with an additional burden, and became the victim of those of Whom I had been the accomplice. The blow once struck, its consequences were not slow in making their appearance. Fatmah and her confeder- ate,e1ated by their success, assumed, all at once, the air of masters, and imposed their Commands alike upon their felloW-s'ervants and upon me. Seeing that my conniv- anee in this sad affair rendered me mute and powerless, these two fiends threw the house intoiutter confusion. The slaves and servants, unable any longer to endure the insolence of these two tyrants,loud1y called for my intervention; but as their appeals were ineffectual, a re- volt ensued. My impassible demeanor was, not unrea- sonably, interpreted as a proof of my connivance With the excesses committed by Fatmah and Beshir. In vain I attempted to promote tranquillity by liberally bestowing kindnesses, now on one, now on another. Such treat- ment only served to light anew the fire of discord with redoubled force, for these sacrifices had no other result than to excite the cupidity of the disafieeted. My patience quite worn out, and feeling justly alarm- ed at the menacing proportions that the spirit of sedition had assumed, I thought it necessary to call to my asSist- ance the authority of our man of business, Reshid-Effen- di, to endeavor to re—establish order in my household. As Fatmah and Beshir from associates had been Sworn ene- mies to such a degree as to long to kill each other, I in- sisted that they should both be expelled from the house, as the only way of preventing a catastrOphe; for the two rivals made no mystery of their determination to take each other’s life. Reshid, however, treated the matter With an air of incredulity, and refused to interfere, say-~ t f" V: ,r. a A ... ‘i 1* , § 9 35 3 F ii '3 z} t "x w COND UOT 0F FA TJIAII. 14:9 ing that “it was only an affair between a woman and a eunuch.” This reply, and the indifference displayed by Reshid- Effendi on this occasion, did not contribute to my tran- quillity, for I was in a better position than himself to judge of what passed before my eyes. Abandoned, then, to my own resources, I found no other alternative than to attempt one last experiment—that is to say, to sepa- rate the two rivals by dint of a pecuniary sacrifice. With this object, I entered into negotiations with Fatmah, in order to induce her to leave the house. She consented to take her departure, but only after extorting from me a considerable sum. ’ Delighted to have got rid of this wicked woman, I set to work to appease Beshir, who, seeing himself fawned upon, and satisfied. with gaining a triumph over his rival, promised to conduct himself in a becoming manner. As to the matter of the adopted child, it was agreed that it should remain in abeyanoe until the return of the Pasha, who would make such arrangements as he thought fit. A month had elapsed since the departure of Fatmah, when I had to give a reception to celebrate the first reading of the Koran, which was to be performed this year by my daughter Aisheh. It is customary among Mussuimans to Celebrate this event with an éclat corre- sponding to the position and means of the parents of the pupil. Invitations were accordingly sent to all our ao- quaintances, and no expense was spared to make the re— ception a sumptuous one. In the mean time Fatmah had opened a correspondence with my enemies in the palace, and had been instigated by them to revenge herself both on me, who had discard- 150 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM ed her, and on her mortal enemy, Beshir, by every means in her power, not even excepting murder. She thought the best means of introducing herself into the house, and perpetrating the crime that she meditated, was to mingle with the crowd of guests, and make her entrance unob- served in the confusion. Being informed that Fatmah was in the house, I sent for her, and inquired her motives for making her appearance in a place where her pres- ence was by no means desired. Her reply was dry and curt “Madam,” she said, “ am I to understand that I was expelled from your house ?—have I no right to come to assist in the celebration of a fete ?” As I saw clearly, by the tone of this response, that Fatmah would have no hesitation in creating a scene in the midst of the guests, I thought it prudent to retire; not forgetting, however, to summon Beshir, and caution him to say nothing to the woman, for I did not wish to have a disturbance in the house. I gave him to under- stand that Fatmah would only stay a very short time, and consequently he need not think any thing at all about her. Counting on the efficacy of the measures I had taken, I entered the room where my guests were assembled, and gave myself up to the duties of hospitality. But, while the company were regaling themselves with the charms of music and of song, Fatmah was engaged in the prosecution of her sanguinary designs. Skillfully evading observation, she proceeded gently to open the door that separated the selamlik from the harem, and admit- ted one of the servants, named Omer, who, as her lover, was to bear a hand in the contemplated assassination. £43! MURDER 0F BESHIR. 151 Fatmah then succeeded, by a. ruse, in inveigling Beshir into the bath-room; there the two assassins sprang upon the unfortunate Arab, hurled him to the ground, and suf- focated him. Such was Fatmah’s rage against her Vic- tim, that she resolutely took his life herself by sitting on his face, while Omer contented himself by throwing him down and holding his hands. 152 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJI. CHAPTER XVII. Scene after the Murder.—The Assassins are given up to Justice.— Manwuwes of my Enemies.—Jl[y Imprisonment and Trial—The Pasha 2's eummoned t0 Constantinople.—Resh2’d’s P0licy.——The Pasha’s JlIarTiage.—Djehad’s Repudiation.—Noble Conduct Qf' the Sultan.—— Confiscation qf my Goode—aMy Bam'shmmt. SCARCELY had Beshir heaved his last sigh When the doors of the harem were broken open, and an infuriated crowd invaded the apartment, With cries of “Murder! murder! Vengeance! vengeance I” Terror seized on every one. The guests took flight from the fury of the mob. The insurgents made their way to the room Whither I had retired, with three or four of my slaves, who had remained faithful to my cause. The wretches, on entering, did not seruple to bespatter me With the blood of Beshir, and to menace me With sabres, sticks, and other weapons Which they brandished in the air. I must here pause to remark that among this swarm of invaders there were not more than five or six mem- bers of my household; the remainder, numbering per- haps thirty or thereabout, were strangers, Whose presence at this moment is quite incomprehensible. It would ap- pear as though they had been collected together in order to give a. theatrical effect to the tragedy. Order could only be restored through the intervention of the police, Who lost no time in appearing on the scene of the disaster. The police agents hastened to make out their official report by submitting the assassins to exam- ination. When they came to inquire into the motives SCENE AFTER THE 111 URDER. 153 for the commission of the crime, a scene of Violence en- sued. On the one hand, those who sought my destruc- tion boisterously called upon Fatmah and Omer to incul- pate me alone; on the other, these preserved an obsti- nate silence. This strife was carried on for some time without inducing the culprits t0 depose that it was solely by my orders that they had killed the eunuch. It was only through a hint that by this means alone could they hope to escape capital punishment, that the two” murder- ers were induced to avow I had ordered them to put Beshir to death. As soon as the depositions were taken, the" prisoners were conducted, under escort, t0 the office of the Minister of Police to take. their trial. During the course of these tragic events, my enemies, and those of my husband, tried their utmost to achieve our ruin. My enemies were delighted to have at last found the means of crushing me forever, and putting it out of my power to injure them. The political enemies of my husband, on their part, hastened. to take advan- tage of the opportunity afi’orded them of separating us, and s0 destroying our combined action. Without me, Mehemet-Pasha was a half—disabled foe, for it was well known what a part I had had in his promotion. It was through me that an understanding had been established between him and the grand vizier, and it was by my efforts that his nomination to the post of Minister for Foreign Affairs had been spoken of with favor. Such an event, his opponents well knew7 would be a death. blow to them. These said enemies were the Valideh, the Sultan’s mother; Mehemet-Ali-Pasha; Mehemet-Pasha, Minister of Police; Rifaat, and a host of other Pashas more or less influential. 7* 154 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM‘. Impelled by such motives, these people made as great an uproar as possible, and spread false reports of my alleged crimes and atrocities. rI‘he journals, native and foreign, were filled with‘stories designed to gratify pub- lic eredulity, and to exhibit my character under the most revolting aspect. This was an easy task, for I had no one to take my part. Finding that by. such means they had produced the desired effect, my enemies had recourse to legal proceed- ings, and procured my arrest. F our days, indeed, after Beshir’s death, I received a summons to appear before the Minister of Police to answer the charges that had been brought against me. Tearing myself from my chil- dren, and from those about me who had remained faith- ful, I got into my carriage, and was driven to the office. I was then confined in a house which the Government had prepared and furnished for the occasion. My keep- ers were two female servants and a domestic, in the con- fidence of the minister, and upon whom he could rely. As to the treatment I had to undergo from them dur- ing my imprisonment, I may say that while, on the one hand, they affected to lavish on me those atten- tions which were due to a woman in my position, on the other hand they resorted to every means of intimida- tion. It was thought advisable, in order to overcome my obstinacy, to threaten me with the most exquisite tor- tures; and, to show that they were not jesting, the po- lice agents busied themselves in recounting all the horri- ble cruelties of which their master was capable. They told. me, among other things, that when the old Pasha was Governor of Cyprus he had a number of people im- MY TRIAL. 155 paled and burned in the most cold-blooded manner im~ aginable. These threats and anecdotes could not but produce a painful impression upon me, and the rather because I knew that the Valideh=Su1tan and my other enemies were eagerly thirsting for my blood. There were moments, especially during the silent watches of the night, when my spirit succumbed beneath the pressure of the moral torments I was condemned to suffer. At such a time despair had full dominion over me, for I knew I could look for no mercy at the hands of enemies who had sworn to push their schemes of vengeance to the utmost limits. After subjecting me to threats and terrorism, the Minister of Police finally summoned me to his presence. A kind of sitting was held, in which the minister himself, Rifaat-Pasha, and a secretary took part. This court was a regular hOZe-cmd- comer concern. The two Pashas proceeded there to give a cursory o‘e’sumé of the affair, after which they put ques tions to me, the object of which was to make me confess my participation in the murder of Beshir. My answer, from which I never swerved, was as follows: “I never gave any order of the kind, nor have I in any way been a party to the crime. Indeec,” I said to the two Pashas, who were gazing at me in astonishment, “do you think that if I had wished to rid myself of Beshir, I should have been so stupid as to have him strangled in so public a manner, while with a few pen- nyworths of poison I could have made away with him quietly enough? Moreover, if I had made any choice between the two, I should have striven to get rid of Fat- mah rather than of Beshir, for it is she to whom I owe all my sorrow.” 156 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJLI. Seeing that their questioning was fruitless, the two Pashas did not repeat their sittings more than twice. . In speaking of what happened to me while I was in prison, I ought to mention how the confiscation of my jewelry tool: place. Some days after my incarceration three police officers made their appearance, and desired me to giye Up to them' the casket containing my jewels. These consisted of a quantity of necklaces, girdles, chains, etc., all set with brilliants, and their value would amount to about six or seven thousand pounds sterling. All these articles were counted over, One by one, after which the minister’s seal was affixed to the casket. When this was done, the ofiicers informed me that these jewels would remain in their custody until such time as I was set at liberty, and then they would be restored to meun- touched. VVheu I ventured to ask for a receipt for the jewels I had intrusted to them, the only answer I could obtain was that their instructions forbade them to com- ply with my request. It is needless to remark that from that moment my jewels were taken away from me altogether. On the arrival of my husband from London, the Government hastened to place them in his’hands. This arbitrary act was a flagrant Violation of the Mussulman laws, which maintains respeet for the property of a wife. While these things were going on in the office of the Minister of Police, intrigues outside were running their free course. The enemies of Reshid-Pasha’s cabinet were making superhuman efforts to crush, at one blow, myself and my husband. Taking advantage of the prevalent pub- lie feeling, they endeavored to make my afi'air a ministerial question, and impeached Reshid-Pasha for shielding me. RESHID’S POLICY. 157 The grand vizier, indeed, saw that it was impossible to save me from the hands of my enemies, for such a course would haye been fatal to his administration. Compelied to yield before such a coalition, Reshid found himself under the necessity of abandoning me to my fate. However, he did his best to save Kibrizli-Pasha from being involved in my ruin, for, by so doing, he neutral- ized the efforts of those who were seeking to disable one of his colleagues. \Vith this object7 therefore, he forth- with summoned my husband to Constantinople, held sundry long conferences with him, and succeeded in per- suading him of the necessity of appeasing the elamors of the opposition by repudiating me. This sacrifice, as I learned afterward, cost the poor Pasha many tears, but political exigencies prevailed over sentimental and all other considerations, and my hus- band was forced to bow to the will of his chief. My divorce was immediately notified to me by the emissa- riesof the Minister of Police, who handed me back my dowry, a mere trifle, and made me sign a receipt. My enemies, meanwhile, were not satisfied with this conces- sion on the part of Kibrizli and Reshid, inasmuch as they suspected them of entertaining the idea of restoring me to. my former position, so soon as the temporary ex- citement should have calmed down. Under the influ- ence of this suspicion, they continued to clamor against me and to denounce Reshid. The latter then formed the opinion that the best means of putting an end to these denunciations was to get an- other wife for Kibrizli-Pasha, and thereby to separate him irrevocably from me. In fact, no other guaranty 158 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. could have satisfied those who wished to take advantage of existing circumstances to effect my irremediable ruin. This necessity, then, obliged Reshid to seek a wife for his colleague, and the choice of the grand vizier fell on a lady named Ferideh, the sister of one of his favorites. Thus Kibrizli—Pasha was compelled to marry a wife whom he had never set eyes on, and for whom he enter- tained no predilection. After remaining four months in prison, it was high time that I should be informed of the decision that had been come to with regard to the question of my guilt. One of the minister’s secretaries brought me the intel- ligence that Fatmah and Omer had been condemned to the galleys, and that I was to be banished to Asia Minor, whence, at the expiration of some months, they would allow me to return. This measure, he informed me, had been prompted by the necessity under which the administration found themselves of calming the mind and closing the mouth Of the public. When the Minister of Police himself notified to me this decision of the GOV- ernment, I made him the following reply: “ You have taken from me my husband, my children, all that I had in the world ; 'why not take my life also? I have no longer any thing that can lead me to desire to live; kill me, and all will be over I” In speaking these words, I had no doubt whatever but that the cup of my sufferings was already full to overflowing. But I was to be subjected to yet another trial. Some days before I went into exile, the Minister of Police sent for me, and spoke as follows: “ There is one question, madam, as to which we pray you to have the goodness to give an explanation before DJEHAD’S REPUDIA TION. 159 your departure, for neither the Pasha nor we can permit any doubt to remain on the matter. The infant Whom you borrowed naturally throws some suspicion on the birth of Mustapha-Djehad-Bey-7 for all the world will say that if one child has been borrowed, so, in all likeli4 hood, has the other. As to your husband, he does not believe the boy belongs to him; nevertheless, he wishes to have a deposition on your part, that he may know what to think and what to do.” It did not require a very acute perception to see through the manoeuvre cloaked beneath these words. But, at the moment, I failed to account for it, and to divine the true nature of the snare thus laid for me. From the cireuitous language employed by the min- ister, I could see that there was mischief in the case, but What it was I could not make out. To escape from this embarrassment without falling into the snare, I thought it necessary to reply in an evasive manner, which, while dispelling the intrigues of my foes, would secure me liberty of action. Moreover, it appeared to me that an answer of this kind would he the best means of revenging myself on a man who had abandoned me without a word, for the sole reason that he feared to compromise his political in- terests. Clearly, for him, an evasive response would be equivalent to a disavowal or denial of the parentage of his son, for a simple doubt as to his birth would compel the Pasha to separate himself from him. But what, above all, induced me to follow such an unnatural course as that of denying my own child, was the fear I enter- tained with respect to Djehad’s safety. I could not consent to leave in the hands of my rival, Ferideh, a 160 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. child who was her natural enemy, inasmuch as only by his death could she hope to lay hands on the whole in- heritance. My reply, therefore, was couched in the fol- lowing terms : . ‘ “Is it possible that a man should not know his own child? If the Pasha says that Djehad is not his child, that is a proof that he must have been borrowed also.” This answer puzzled the Minister of Police, and he did his best to extract a straightforward reply from me. For my part, I persisted in reiterating what I had already said, as though they were the last words I had to utter. My conduct actually produced the desired result. Ki- brizli-Pasha having been informed that I had refused to proclaim distinctly the legitimacy of his son Djehad, found himself constrained to separate from him. After my return from exile, the question of Djehad’s legitimacy was several times raised by Kibrizii-Pasha, who made me many advances and offers in order to in- duce me to make an explicit declaration on the subject. However, as he, on his part, refused to accord me the satisfaction I demanded, the matter remained in suspense. The penalty of exile decreed against me by Virtue of an imperial resoript was the finishing blow by which the Vaiideh-Sultan endeavored to crush me. Abdul-Med— jid, with that generosity for which he was distinguished, at first refused to affix his signature to any such docu- ment. I have heard it said that the Sultan observed to his mother that, my participation in the murder of the Arab not having been substantiated, there were no grounds for punishing me. As to the affair of the bor- rowed infant, the Sultan was of opinion that it concerned he one except myhusband. Seeing that her son refused MY BANJSHMENT. 1 61 to lend himself as the facile instrument of her will, the Sultana had recourse to a theatrical demonstration in or- der to extort the mueh-desired signature. She called the chief of the eunuehs, and told him that the only means of getting me punished was for him to throw himself at the feet of his majesty, and entreat him to eX- ecute justice on the guilty. That very night the chief of the eunuehs awaited the Sultan near the door of the harem, and, on his entering, threw himself at his majes- ty’s feet, crying with a loud voice, “ Your majesty, take pity on us unhappy creatures, otherwise the women will murder us all I” Next day the Sultan signed the decree, banishing me for an indefinite period. On the day fixed for my departure, the Minister of Police sent for me, and communicated to me the order banishing me to Asia Minor. He made a hypocritical pretense, of feeling deeply touched at my fate, and in- trusted me, with a show of the warmest interest, to the charge of an officer who was to escort me. \Vith an ex- eess of courtesy, he placed at my service his own car- riage, to convey me to the steam-paeket about to start for Ismid (Nieomedia). I may add that, for some reason or other, it was thought advisable to conceal from me the place of my destination, which proved to be Koniah, in Cappadocia. On leaving, I never dreamed of taking any thing that might be of use to me. I got into the carriage, accom- panied by a single slave, and with no means beyond about one hundred francs in small change, which I usu- ally carried with me for trifling current expenses. On arriving at Ismid, I was courteously received by the governor, who came to meet me, and conducted me 162 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. to the presence of his wives, in whose apartments a room had been prepared for my accommodation. After a brief repose, I took some refreshment offered me by my host. ‘While conversing with him, I noticed, every time he looked at me, that his face assumed a look of sadness and commiseration. I questioned him as to the cause. “I am grieved to think of the orders I have to com- ply with as regards you, madam.” “ Indeed! and what are those orders?” I asked. “ They are of such a character that I dare not inform you.’7 “Don’t be afraid. I am prepared for whatever may be my lot. You can tell me of nothing worse than death, and that I am ready to undergo.” “I am commanded,” said he, “to prepare an escort, and to send you to Koniah, a town distant from here a fortnight’s journey.” “Do your duty. As for me, I will go wherever they please to send me. Whether to this place or to that, it matters not.” “Then, to-morrow morning a palanquin shall be got ready for you, and I will make the necessary arrange- ment for your journey.” “I do not requirea palanquin. A horse will suffice for me.” " Next day, before setting out, I freed the slave who had attended me thus far, as I was unwilling to involve her in my misfortunes. I then commenced my journey, in bitterly cold weather, escorted by some ten or twelve cawasses. The indifference I manifested produced a greater impression upon them than the most Violent demonstgation of despair could have done. I saw big MY DANISHMENT. 1 63 tears rolling down their cheeks when I mounted my horse. “Is it possible,” they remarked to each other, “that, on account of a wretched negro, they should thus persecute a woman. \Vhy make such a fuss about a negro who was bought for a few piastres? He was her property, and our law lays down no punishment for those who take the lives of their own slaves.” “What you say, my good friends, is of no use. I must obey without aword of protest, since complaining would be in vain.” Everywhere I passed, theflgovernors of the towns and the sheiks of the villages endeavored, by every means in their power, to alleviate the fatigues I had to endure. They- welcomed me with their utmost hospitality, gave me their best rooms, and laid before me most beautiful repasts. The mudz'rs, or commanders of the small towns, would pass the night under a canopy, in order to give up to me their only bed. The farther I advanced, the more severe became the cold. I had to cross lofty mount- ain ranges covered with snow7 in which our horses fre- quently sank up to the girths. I was sometimes obliged to rein in my horse to prevent him from being suffocated by the thick masses of snow that lay in the path we had to follow. My conductors themselves were astonished at the vigor I displayed. The fact is, every depressing thought had been banished from my mind. I had so resolutely fixed my determination, that I would hear without impatience whatever happened to me. 16$ THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. CHAPTER XVIII. Life at Konia7L.—~H03pitaltty 0f IIafiz—Pasha.—Singular Ideas of his Wives.-—I am imited to visit Tchelebi—Efendi, C’h’ief 0f the Demishes.—J)escm'ption of this People—Fmderick’s ATTiZJal.—‘— Departzwe of Hafiz—Pasha. AT tlength we reached Koniah, and I was left in a house without easements to the windows, and falling into ruins. The sorrows I had experienced, the fatigues of so long a journey, as well as the cold, to which I had not been habituated, seriously affected my health. I fell 111011 the very day of my arrival. The woman in charge of the house and a Greek doctor she called in took care of me, and succeeded in effecting my recovery. I was especially anxious to learn whether the Govern- ment had given the necessary orders to proVide me with the means of subsistence. In the mean time, the muchir , invited me to call on him. I found him to be animated by the most kindly feelings toward me, and asked him whether he had received any authority to supply me with the funds necessary to meet my expenses. “I have received no instructions in the matter,” he answered, “ but your situation moves my compassion. I see that you are persecuted. If you like, you shall come and live with my wives; you will have no expenses, and I will give you five hundred piastres a month, which is just what I allow them for their little amusements.” As I was not acquainted with the governor, I was afraid to go and reside in his house, but I accepted his IIAFIZ—PASHA. 165 offer of money, and received it without trouble for a whole year. At the end of this period, Hafiz-Pasha came to take the place of the preceding muohir in the command of the garrison ofKomah. The new governor was a worthy old man of nearly sixty7 who had known me at my uncle’s house when I was quite a child. Some days after his arrival I went to pay my compliments, when he received me with truly paternal affection. V “How happy I am, my daughter, to meet you here! I am told that you live in a house by yourself. You are thereby incurring the risk of being carried off by brig- ands, or other lawless characters. Come'and stay with me. You will be well received by my wives; you will not have to dream of any expense; and I will give you whatever I afford them.” ’ I eagerly accepted so benevolent an offer, and took up my residence in his harem, which was well provided, for he had four wives, who cherished him as though he were a spoiled child. These were not the only wives he had taken in the course of his matrimonial career. It was said that Hafiz was a regular Bluebeard, who had had at least a dozen. But, for all these rumors, he was a Virtu- ous man, who did nothing beyond what the Koran sanc- tioned: he had never had more than four wives at a time; but as soon as a vacancy occurred, Hafiz-Pasha hastened to fill up the gap by taking a new wife. In presenting me to his wives, the Pasha sought to interest them in my favor by language which showed the purity of his thoughts and the generosity of his heart. “ Whichever of you loves me the best,” said he, “ will prove her affection by the care she takes of this bird that has come to seek shelter beneath our roof.” 166 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. These poor women, though simple and ill-eduoated, did not the less endeavor to make themselves agreeable to me in every particular. They discharged all the duties of hospitality in a most praiseworthy manner; they gave up to me the best room in the harem; one took charge of my clothing; another conducted me to the bath; a " third assisted me in my toilet; a fourth put my room to rights: one would say, on seeing how they conducted themselves, that my power over them was that of a mis- tress over her slaves. These noble women, accustomed to humble themselves to give pleasure, could conceive of no other means of testifying their friendship than by the performance of almost servile duties; while they proved their true affection by banishing every thought of jeal- ousy on my account. Although they were all jealous of one another, yet they had full confidence in me; I was the confidante of their troubles and their desires, and we became inseparable companions. What they wished for beyond every thing elsewas to please their husband; but they knew of no artifice by which they could effect this object. “You are so good and so clever,” said one of them to me one day, “ that I am sure you will consent to make me a charm (talisman) to inspire the Pasha with love for me.” “Oh,” I replied, “you think me a great deal wiser than I am. How should I know how to compose so powerful a charm ?” “If you choose,” she insisted, “you certainly will be able.” I saw that if I continued to refuse I should only sue- ceed in alienating her affection, without convincing her of the folly of her request. / SING ULAIt’ IDEAS OF THE WCIVES. 167 “Very well, my dear,” said I; “I will endeavor to comply with your Wishes.” Accordingly, next day, I took some powdered sugar, mixed with it some salt, and put the whole into a small bag of silk, fastened with string tied into sundry very complicated knots. “Here,” said I, handing her the bag; “this is the charm you asked me for. To-night7 When the Pasha is sitting smoking in the midst of you, do you silently unfasten the string, and suddenly throw the contents into the chafing-dish.” She did as I recom- mended. “ What is the meaning of this noise and this smoke ?” cried the Pasha, hearing the crackling of the salt in the fire, and seeing the smoke of the burned sugar. “ It is doubtless the slave who has put some bad coals into the brazier,” said the poor Wife, all in a tremble. The Pasha, observing her demeanor, guessed What she had been about, but made no sign. He resolved to fulfill her desire, and to keep her With him all that night. I leave to conjecture whether or not she remained con- vinced of the efficacy of my Witchcraft. When I had once gained the reputation of being a skilled soreeress, each Wife, in her turn, came to ask me for some magic means of increasing the love of her husband. One of them, more ambitious, implored me persistently for a long time to teach her some charm by Which she might become a mother, promising me, in return, a very con- siderable sum. I gave her a large bag of ground potash, recommending her to go frequently to the bath7 and ev- ery time put into it a spoonful of this compound, Which was of singular potency for effecting the desired result. As luck would have it, she became enccinte shortly after- | 168 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJII. ward. To tell What caressesshe lavished upon me would be an impossibility. All these women were thus thor- oughly convinced of my profound knowledge of the oc- cult sciences, to my great amusement. All Eastern women are persuaded 0f the efficacy of talismans, charms, philters, and all the ridiculous tricks of sorcery. A great number of women and men (for the latter engage in it also) live by this means on the credu- lity of their fellOW-creatures. But it is not so amusing to learn that, through the ignorance, or occasionally the malevolence, of soreerers and sorceresses, serious conse- quences ensue, frequently even death, through swallow- ing, under the advice of these wretches, some most incon- gruous mixture or other. During my stay at the house of Hafiz-Pasha I was in- vited by Tchelebi-Efi‘endi to spend some days at his pal- ace. He was chief of the Mevlevih ,dervishes, and the last descendant of the Ahassides, Who would be heirs to the Ottoman throne if the race of the now reigning Sul- tans should become extinct. This personage enjoys the privilege of girding on the Sultan’s sword on the day of his proclamation. At Koniah and elsewhere he is held in boundless consideration; the muehir, the eadi, the nakib, and all the other dignitaries of the town, although completely independent of' his authority, nevertheless show him such respect that their power appears insignif- icant compared to that Which he exercises over people’s consciences. No one would presume to sit down in his presence. All throughout the East, the "dervishes main- tain a great number of religious houses, Where they re- ceive, Without distinction, all travelers, poor and rich. The latter by no means consider it beneath them to i3 . ‘ .‘x -a ‘ .- :i ‘w;;' - . :e’md'y. 4.4' r)“ A .A van. 21.. ”A .t. A THE KONIAH DER VISHES. 1'69 avail themselves of the simple and cordial hospitality of these holy men, who afford food. and lodging for three days, without ever aceepting the slightest remuneration. The Mevlevih dervishes go through a singular exer- cise in the mosques, consisting of a peculiar dance. ' They join hands in a circle, facing outward, and Whirl rapidly round, raising at intervals at guttural cry, very like a bark. They sometimes keep it up for several hours with surprising velocity, and Without showing any sign of fatigue or giddiness. Tchelebi—Effendi received me with marked kindness, and made me take a place on the divan beside him. He seemed greatly touched at my fate; offered to intercede for me at Constantinople, and confided to me the troubles he had With his Wives. I remained several days in his palace, and did my best to reconcile the ladies to one another—an attempt in Which I succeeded; after Which I returned to HafiZ-Pasha. As Tehelebi—Effendi had said, he addressed a petition to the divan in my favor, which was supported by the dignitaries residing at Koniah. Several times was this application reneWed, but always Without effect. I sub- sequently found that all these petitions had been sup- pressed on their arrival by the ministers Who had been the cause of my troubles. Months, years passed away Without any change in my situation, which would have been sad and wearisome in the extreme but for the generous hospitality of the worthy governor. I need scarcely say that, during my stay at Koniah, the mental depression Which weighed upon me as an exile could not be alleviated, either by the sympathy or 8 170 THIRTY YEARS LV THE E41523]. generous kindness Which the good IIafiz-Pasha and his family bestowed on me. I can say that, though exiled in body, my spirit was at Constantinople with the objects of my affection, my children and my husband. Day and night my thoughts carried me to my native land, and I felt almost ineonsolahle; frequently, in a fit of despair, I turned my eyes to heaven, and cried, “My God, when Will my afflictions cease?—when shall I find peace?” rI‘he ferveney of my prayers brought about my deliver- ance in an almost miraculous way, for the Almighty sent me a protector in my son Frederick, who came unex- pectedly to my assistance, comforting me in my sorrow, and reviving me in the midst of my enemies. The reader Wiil remember my stating at the beginning how I had left at Rome my daughter Evelyn and Fred- erick, my eldest son. Since my marriage with Kibrizh- Pasha. I had entirely lost sight of these dear children, Who had been placed in convents, and brought up under the care of their aunt. ' It happened, however, that Frederick, on his return to Constantinople, hearing of my persecution and exile, de- termined on joining his fate to mine. Driven almost to madness by the love of a mother he had scarcely seen, he threw himself at the feet of Mehemet-Ali-Pasha, the then Minister ofIVar,1854~, and implored him'to allow him to join his mother, she to whom he owed his existence. The Pasha, touched by this proof of filial affection, acceded to his prayer, and immediate] y issued the orders necessary to enable him to proceed to Koniah. Mehem- et-Ali also gave him out of his private purse the sum of thirty pounds to provide him with the funds for the journey. FREDERICK’S ARRIVAL. 1'71 I had gone one day to Visit one of my friends, who lived near to the tomb of the patron saint of Koniah, and was resting myself near a window, when we heard a knock at the door. My friend hastened to ascertain Who it was, but, instead of coming back to me, she remained talking in a 10W voice with the stranger, whoever it might be. Animated by a feeling of curiosity, I lOOked toward the door, and saw through the opening an elegant-look- ing young man, dressed in uniform, Who suddenly walked into the room and up to the place where I was sitting. This strange apparition, and the boldness shown by the youth, alarmed me, and involuntarily I recoiled, and was about to rise from my seat, when the stranger threw his arms around my neck, crying out, “Don’t you know me, mother? I am Frederick.” These words quite overcame me, for at that moment of supreme excitement I could scarcely believe my eyes, or trust my ears. Frederick, whom I had left almost an infant, and whom I considered as lost to me forever, could it possibly be the handsome young fellow before me? \Vas it a dream, the past thirteen years, or was it reality? My poor boy, enraptured by the sight of a mother upon whom he could at last gaze, kissed me over and over again, holding me in his arms, and seemed never tired of looking at me. He took out his purse, contain- ing his whole wealth, and placed it in my hands, saying, “ Take it, mother; you are poor, but I love you.’7 From that moment the fairest prospects seemed open- ing before me; I was no longer a desolate and deserted woman without a defender or helper. The news of my 172 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREIII. dear son’s arrival produced a great sensation at Koniah, all my friends sharing in my joy. Frederick, Who had assumed the name of Osman-Bey, remained With me a month, and on his return to Con- stantinople did his best in order to have me recalled from exile. It was owing to intelligence I received from him that decided me on endeavoring to make my escape, so as to join him at Constantinople, and from that time he has everybeen my protector and comfort, and the support of my old age. Before my departure from Koniah, an incident oe- eurred Which brought great trouble on the town, and was the cause of much dissensioh. A married man had gone as a soldier,1eaving his wife at home. While engaged on a certain expedition, he disappeared, and was believed to be dead. As often happened in these provinces, the towns of which are encircled by desert plains, on Which the inhabitants pasture immense flocks, the Wife was car- ried off by a misereant, Who took her with him to a re- mote part, and When she informed him of the disappear- ance Of her husband, he married her. Presently the husband returned, discovered his wife, and wished to take her back, but her paramour refused to restore her, pretending'that, according to his version of the Mussulman law, the former had been absent a suf- ficient time to permit of his wife’s remar'rying. The complainant answered that she might perhaps have been able, of her own accord, to contract a second marriage, but she had not in this case been a free agent. The Pasha. was disposed to order the restoration of the wife to her former husband, but the other magistrates,h01d- ing to the text of the law, maintained the validity of the A SECOND M4RRIAGE: 17 3 second marriage. Of a most determined character, the governor, instead of yielding in a matter that had so lit- tle interest for him, envenomed the dispute to such a de- gree that he soon came to an open rupture with the 111e- mas and other authorities. His position became insup- p0rtab1e,and one morning he set off, incognito, for Con- stantinople, leaving his Wives behind him. Very soon after his arrival in the capital he obtained the govern- ment of Trebizond, and then sent for his harem; never- theless, he continued the pension he had allowed me while I was living under his roof. 174 . THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. CHAPTER XIX. I take Flight fmm K0niah.—Dzficulties in the Way of reaching Constantinople—I learn what I hate to empect.—Pr0tection is ex- temled to me by ReshicZ-Pasha. ABOUT four years had now elapsed since I went into exile, and no answer had ever been returned to the vari- ous applications addressed on my behalf to Constantino- ple. I had every reason to believe that I was to remain for an indefinite period in a country where, since the de- parture of Hafiz-Pasha, I felt myself in any thing but a safe position. I therefore presented myself before the authorities, who were in charge, pending the arrival of a successor to the late governor, and asked for a passport to enable me to return to the capital. “I am not under the burden of any condemnation; I was ordered to be transported hither, and here I have been for four years. As you have not been forbidden to let me go, I am come to demand the necessary docu- ments to afford me a free and safe passage.” “ If you were a person of ordinary condition we weuld comply with your request,” they replied; “but you are the wife of a minister, and we might compromise our- selves by giving you leave to go.” “I have done my duty in warning you of my inten- tion, and I have nothing more to add.” So saying, I withdrew. Taking what little I had saved out of the liberality of IIafiz-Pasha, I came to terms with two of the inhabit- .MY FLIGHT. 175 ants, who engaged, for four thousand piastres (about £40), to conduct me, by devious paths, to the vicinity of Constantinople. In order not to arouse suspicion, I went one night, accompanied by a single servant, to a farm situated beyond the walls, to Which I often used to go, the proprietor being one of the richest persons in the country, and having always shown me the greatest kind- ness’. I had given my guides notice of the rendezvous, and they were waiting for me, With horses for themselves; for me, and my servant. IVe set out at once to traverse the immense plains of Caramania, traveling night and day through the most deserted places, carefully avoiding the towns and villages, and taking only such rest as was absolutely necessary to prevent ourselves and our horses from breaking down With fatigue. We had to cross steep and dangerous mountains; and finally, after a jour- ney of four days, and Without meeting with any mishap, we reached Kutayeh, on leaving Which, the country be- came more inhabited and safer. \Ve could not go on from thence to Constantinople Without an authority from the governor of the place. Not well knowing how I should manage to get the requisite authority, I, With my companions, put up at the house of a 1ady,named A'l'sh-Bey, a sert of muscular woman Who used to carry on mercantile pursuits between Constantinople and Kutayeh. On a1ighting,I represent- ed myself to her as the wife of a colonel WhO had died in the Crimea. I had not been long in bed When my host- ess, knocking at the door, came to inform me that the Pasha’s secretary wanted to speak tome. The visit of this official at such an hour foreboded no good, and it 176 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IL~1REJ£ was not Without considerable trepidation that I saw him presently enter the room. His face, however, wore an expression of courtesy that augured favorably. “His exeelleney the Pasha,” said he,“ takes it very much amiss that you have not thrown yourself on his hospitality instead Of taking up your quarters here. He has sent me, therefore, to express his regret on this ac- count, and to request your kind. permission to call and pay his respects to ‘youto-morrow.” I answered, as in duty bound, that I should be most happy to be honored by such a visit, and I thanked the governor for his kind attention in giving me notice of the p1oposed compliment. The secretary then withdrew,1eaving me several boxes of sweetmeats and other delicacies, sent by the Pasha’s Wives My attendants had been so imprudent as to let out that I had come from Koniah, and, as my escape had been talked of on all sides, the governor at once knew perfectly well Who I was; but, since he had been ac- quainted With me for a long time, he was unwilling, by arresting me, to lend himself to the evil designs of my perseeutors. For this reason he had the delicacy to no- tify his good feelings toward me, fearing lest I should be led to commit some imprudence through uncertainty as to his intentions. On the morrow he made his appearance, magnificently attired,- and respectfully saluted me by kissing the hem of my robe. He cOnsented, after a polite Show of resist- ance, to seat himself on the same divan ‘with myself. After conversing on various unimportant subjects, he questioned me about myself, and the motives for my BANQ UET. 177 journey. I told him that I was-retuming to Constanti- nOple, and requested him to furnish me with the necessa- ry pass, to enable me to proceed on my way. Satisfied with the result of our conversation, in which he had dis- played the most courteous and ohiiging disposition, he promised to give me the authority I required, and with- drew, giving me an invitation, which I accepted, to pass the remainder of the day at his house. This delay caused me some uneasiness, for I dreaded every moment lest I should see the airival of messengers from Koniah sent in pursuit of me—an event that would have seriously complicated the situation. My two guides, filled with alarm, secreted themselves in the stable When they saw the governor approaching. “It is all over With us,” they said to each other. “In return for the pay we have received, we shall be prevented from ever returning to our wives and children. The lady whom we have conducted thus far is the wife of a great person- age, and it is certain that they have come to arrest us forthwith and carry us off to prison.” Fearing to excite suspicion, they dare not leave by daylight, for their strange appearance could not fail to attract attention. I boldly went to the Pasha’s house, and he welcomed me at the head of the stairs, introduced me to his wives, who received me very kindly, and gave me quite a banquet by way of supper. Desirousof fulfilling his promise in a manner altogeth- er noble and generous, he sent for his secretary, and in- structed him to make Out the pass in whatever terms I should dietate. ' “ Write,” said I, “that all commanders of troops and wny-wardens are commanded to pass and to give protec- 8+5 178 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJI. tion and assistance to Fatma-Hanum, of Kutayeh, return- ing to Constantinople on business, and intending to stay there about two months.” The passport was made out accordingly, and the gov- ernor, in order to arrange every thing with still greater munifieence, gave me a purse full of‘goid, to help to de— fray the expenses of the journey, and moreover granted me an escort of four eawass. When I returned to my hostess, I found my guides more dead than alive; they were expecting every mo- ment to be taken bodily and dragged before the Pasha. Summoning them forthwith, I made them read the paper that had been drawn up for me, and they could not be- lieve their eyes. Next morning I set ofi’ at day-break, and after three days’ good riding I reached the Gulf of Nieomedia at a. point called Dil—bash; from there a sort of barge conveyed me straight to Constantinople, by the side of the custom-house. I then rewarded the cawass and guides who had attended me thus far, and intrusted , them with a, letter of thanks to their master. On approaching the town, I was accosted by an offi- cial, who demanded my papers. “ If we are so unusual- ly exacting,” said he, “it is because the wife of a, minis- ter of state has escaped from Koniah, and. we have re- ceived very strict orders as regards ladies returning to Constantinople. Fatma-Hanum, of Kutayeh,” he added, reading my passport; “ she is a merchant of my acquaint- ance"\(here he looked fixedly at me). “I have heard her spoken of frequently. She is not traveling on busi- ness to-day for the first time.” Whereas the beginning of his speech filled me with terror,'the conclusion strong- ly tempted me to laugh, but I restrained my feelings. I LEARN WRIT I IIA VE T0 EXPECT. 179 Instead of seeking the hospitality of some person of high position, in which case my arrival would have cre- ated a sensation, I went to the dwelling of an old wom- an, whOm, in the days of my prosperity, I was accus- tomed to employ to amuse me with her stories. I gave her what was necessary to furnish me a room, and then wrote to Fety-I’asha, who, as ambassador in Paris, had received me so kindly in time past, to ask if any harm could come to me in case of my retreat being discovered. He hastened to send me his secretary, Yusuf’, with as- surances that I had absolutely nothing to fear. Yusuf was at the same time bearer of a stock of linen and dresses, besides a round sum of money, which his high- ness put at my disposal. I sent the woman at whose house I was lodging to find out the state of public affairs, for I knew not to whom I could apply for protection with any certainty. She could not obtain any positive information, and I then intrusted her with a letter to Fehim-Effendi, one of my husband’s relatives, who had always shown himself animated by very bad feelings toward me, begging him to come and see me, without letting him know who I was. He came accordingly, and was profoundly aston- ished, when he saw me. “How came you here ‘2” he cried. “It is impossible . that you can have found your way from Koniah with- out meeting any one to stop you. The roads were all carefully watched.” As I was anxious not to compromise any one by dis- closing how I had come, I replied, “Nothing was easier. My husband sent me a pass- port.” 180 TIIIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJII. “ I dare say,” he answered; “for when I told him, re- cently, that'you had escaped from Koniah, he smiled ma- liciously; but,” he added, “what do you intend to do here?’7 , “I intend,” said I, “ to apply to Reshid-Pasha, and beg him to request Mehemet-Pasha to restore my property.” “Don’t do that,” he cried, with alarm; “he is now your husband’s deadliest enemy.” “Oh, very well,” I rejoined, “since they are at vari- ance, there can be no question of writing to him.” He then told me that if I would only remain quiet, Mehemet-Pasha would like nothing better than to give me, from time to time, a small sum, to assist me in sup- porting myself, and that, he said, was the best thing I could do. I pretended to enter into his Views, and dis- missed him, delighted to have learned from him that I should have in R‘eshid-Pasha a protector as energetic as he was influential,and 'well-disposed toward me. Desirous of finding out what had taken place during my absence, and what was the present state of affairs, I applied for information to every one with whom I came in contact, and the result of my investigations shall be mentioned in the ensuing chapter. KIBRIZLI—PASHA GRAND VIZIER. 181 CHAPTER XX. Political Events—Kibrizli—Pasha Grand Vizier.—2V[arriage qf' Ali- Galyp-Pasha with the Daughter of the Sultan—Deplomhle 00n— sequences of this (hti0n.—-Riwlry between Reshid and Mehemet- AZi-Pasha. . SINCE my departure for Koniah, Kibrizli-Pasha had been appointed Governor of Aleppo, a place rendered eX- tremely dangerous by the perpetual dissensions that ex. isted between the Mussulmans and the Christians. In sending him to Arabia, it was hoped that he would per- ish; but, contrary to expectation, he succeeded in re- pressing both factiens with such rigor—imprisoning, ex— ecuting, and refusing all presents—that tranquillity was soon reestablished. Seeing this, the Sultan appointed him to the command of Damascus. He did not remain long in Syria, for he was soon afterward appointed grand vizier. The circumstances that led to this appointment were as follows: Abdul-Medjid’s daughter was of a-marriageable age, and the sons of some of the most exalted personages as- pired to the hand of the young princess. Reshid-Pasha, and more especially his wife, who was excessively proud, were particularly anxious that their son, Ali-Galyb- Pasha, should become the Sultan’s son-in-law. The oth- er ministers wished to please the grand vizier, and tried to induce their master to give the hand of the princess to the son of their colleague. After much pressing, the Sultan consented to the pro~ 182 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. posed union. However, Reshid-Pasha feared that, if this marriage took place while he was grand vizier, the peo- ple would murmur. Indeed, there were not wanting re- marks to the effect that the Padishah did every thing his vizier wished, and had so little will of 1 his own that he could refuse him nothing—not even his daughter. He, therefore, sent in his resignation, and had Kibrizli- Pasha nominated in his stead. The latter exerted his utmost efforts to promote the match that his predecessor had so greatly at heart, and the nuptials were accordingly celebrated with great pomp. The person best pleased was the mother of the youthful bridegroom. The widow of a certain Ali- Pasha, one of the cruelest and bravest of the Turks who so greatly distinguished themselves in the war with Greece—the wife of an illustrious vizier, and now be- come the mother-in-law of a princess, she saw herself one of the greatest ladies in the empire. But the marriage so eagerly desired had not those favorable results. that were anticipated by its most ar- dent promoters. The husbands of Sultanas are almost the slaves of their wives. They can not enter their presence unin- vited. If a wife does not send for her husband, he must remain in the selamlik, and not venture into the harem. He may spend the night, for a whole fortnight or more, sleeping on a divan in the men’s apartment. Now the young Pasha, although very intelligent and fondly attached to the prinoess,fai1ed to win her good graces. In the course of a month, he would scarcely pass two nights in the harem—a state of things that was a source of bitter grief to him. ALI- GAL YB-PASHA. 183 A most unwelcome discovery crowned his troubles— he found that his wife had a liking for the son of an old minister. The two corresponded together, and the poor husband had his suspicions on the subject, but knew nothing for certain. One day, when he was supposed to be out, a eunuch arrived with a 1etter,but, seeing the master of the house, retreated hastily, without delivering it. The young man at once went off to his father and told him what proof he now had of the reality of his unhappy condition, of which hitherto he had been will- ing to doubt. Guess What the grief of his parents must have been. The father hastened, without a moment’s delay, to the palace, presented himself before the Sultan, and disclosed to him the manner in which his daughter was making her husband miserable. 'AbduI-Medjid, instead of blaming his- daughter, in- Veighed against Reshid-Pasha. “How is this ?” he cried. “You beset me with entreaties in order to bring about this marriage, and now you come with complaints, and you invent I know not what accusations against the Sultana. Begone, if you do not wish to expose your- self to the full weight of my resentment.” The poor father, overcome by a reception that he had not, anticipated, returned home in a state of utter con- sternation. The way his sovereign had treated him, and the disappointment of his son, plunged him into despair, and conduced, with other causes we shall speak of pres~ ently, to hasten his end. His wife displayed a liveijr sense of indignation. All her affection was lavished on her son. She strove to console him by every means in her power. He came to pass several hours of each day in'her company, endeav- 184 T HIRT Y YEARS IN THE IIAIEEJI. oring to fo1get the troubles that his wife had brought upon him Nearly three months had elapsed since his father died, and for nearly three weeks the Sultana had not sent for him. In order to seek some recreation, the young man determined to go and passthe evening at the country- hohse ’of a'wealthy J ew named Camondo. He accord- ingly went on board a boat, and spent his time agreeably in the company of the banker and his other guests. When night came he re-embarked, and was making his way homeward, when a steamboat, suddenly appear- ing, bore down upon and shattered to pieces the frail vessel in which the Pasha was seated; two slaves e11- dea'vored to save their master, and perished with him. On the morrow, his mother, not seeing her son as usu- al, waited anxiously for his arrival. Noticing an un- usual excitement in the house,the slaves and eunuohs talking'together in a 10w voice and keeping silence when she drew near, she suspected the fatal intelligence, and fainted away. When she opened her eyes again it was found that she had gone mad. She spent the remainder of her existence confined to her room, and bound hand and foot. The Sultana, when she heaid of her husband’s death, displayed real grief. She fell ill and her recovery was but slow. Although she had never shown any love for the Pasha, she had, nevertheless, a certain friendly feel- ing toward him. Abdul-Medjid, always kind, came sev- eral times to conSoie her. Theyoung man who was the prime cause of all these sorrows asked the Sultan for the hand of his daughter, but he never would accede to this union. He married the princess to another suitor, ALI-GAL YB—R4SHA. 185 and her conduct was thenceforth irreproaehabie. Seeing the consequences of her former intrigue, she had no de- sire to engage in any fresh ones. In order not to interrupt the recital of the fatal conse- quences of the marriage of Ali-Gaiyb-Pasha, we have neglected to speak of other events that occurred since the celebration of that alliance, and previous to the death of Reshid-Pasha. After the appointment of Mehemet-Pasha as grand vizier, 011 the recommendation of Reshid, his friend and protector, his new wife began to entertain a dislike for the wife of the 01d minister. The latter, who was eX- tremeiy proud, was much hurt at the proceedings of a parvenu who owed her elevation to her. Hence arose a coldness between them, which developed soon into open hostility. The two wives having a quarrel, the re- lations between their husbands were afi’eeted. Mehemet- Pasha began to, follow with less doeility the counsels of his predecessor, and presently told the latter that he in- tended to exercise his functions according to his own ideas, and not in conformity with the instructions of a patron, who exacted, as the price of his support, an obe- dience incompatible with the dignity of the chief minis- ter of the empire. From this moment, Reshid Pasha, without any mani- . festation of feeling, desired nothing more than the ruin of his former protege. An opportunity shortly offered itself for the execution of his designs. The Sultan’s brother-in-iaw, Mehemet-Ali-Pasha, had borowed, at different times, very large sums from his banker, Djezairii-Oghia. The Orientals, by way of a signat11re,instead of writing their names, merely affix their seals. Each time the Pasha received a sum he put 186 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. his seal on the receipt. The banker, wishing to be ref paid, presented to Mehemet-Ali-Pasha a certain number of receipts for which he demanded payment. The Pasha objected that the seal which appeared on the greater part of them was not his own, and that he had no intention of paying any but those that bore the right impression. The banker then pretended that his debtor had some- times employed a different seal to that which he gener- ally used, and claimed the protection of Reshid-Pasha, who was the avowed enemy of Mehemet-AIi-Pasha, with Whom the grand vizier had become intimately associated, since he had refused to conform any longer to the 01'- olers of his too exacting predecessor. The old minister determined to take advantage of the occasion to strike down at one blow both his former p10- tégé and the latter’s new friend. He went to Kibrizii- Pasha and handed him the receipts in question. “By virtue of your office,” said he, “you are obliged to make justice prevail among the subjects of the Sultan. Here are documents which show that Mehemet ‘Ali- Pasha has received from a semf (banker) very consider- able sums of money. This day he denies his own seal— an abuse which you ought to put a stop to.” “ This seal,” replied the grand vizier, “ was never that of Mehemet-Ali. . The banker has committed a fraud by affixing to the receipts you show me the seal that you pretend is that of his debtor. Besides, I know Mehemet- Ali-Pasha to he incapable of doing an injury to any one, above all to a man who has laid him under obligations.” Reshid-Pasha could not have wished for a better an- swer. He at once went to the Sultan. “Mehemet-Ali-Pasha, your majesty’s brother-in-law,” said he, “has been borrowing money of a merchant. RESHID AND JlIEHEMETALI-PASHA. 187. Knowing that it would probably be difficult to refund the large sums he has received7 he has affixed to the re- ceipts sometimes his ordinary sea1,sometimes another which he now ignores. Mehemet-Pasha, your grand vizier and his friend, refuses to do justice to the lender, alleging as an excuse that the prince is incapable of de- nying his own-seal, and still more of using a false one. He adds that the documents in dispute have been forged by the merchant. This, in my opinion, shows a degree of partiahty much to be regretted. It would be an evil example to allow persons of rank to abuse their position by cheating private individuals. Since Mehemet-Ali Pasha is allied to the imperial family, he ought not to be a j udge in his own cause. If a man of his rank is to be permitted to refuse to answer in a court of justice the demand of a merchant, others Will imitate the example, and we shall soon see all state officials pleading their high position as an excuse for appropriating to their own use the goods of merchants. If you will be influ- enced by me, you Will summon Mehemet-Ali-Pasha to appear before the divan, to make good his plea. If he refuses to obey this order, you Will know What steps to take to vindicate your sovereign authority.” The Sultan, moved by the reasons advanced in sup- port of this measure of policy, immediately signed a fir- man summoning Mehemet-Ali-Pasha to appear before the Porte,.to defend his cause against the banker. As soon as Kibrizii-Pasha learned What had occurred, andvknew of the firman addressed to his friend, he re- turned the official seals, the insignia of his dignity, and ' the Sultan, in triumph, at once conferred them on Re- shid-Pasha. 188 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. CHAPTER XXI. Reshid-Pasha interferes between my Husband and myself.—Proceed— éngs before the Porta—Reshid-Pasha is Teplcwecl by Aali—Pashag— Oath taken.—My second Imprisonment—I am let Qfi”. SUCH was the state of affairs when I returned from Koniah. I called on the new grand vizier, and begged him to have justice done me at the hands of Mehemet Pasha. This was a fresh opportunity for harassing his 1‘iva1,so he gave me a favorable reception. He asked whether I wished to return to my husband, or to de- mand the restitution of my property. I replied that, as Mehemet-Pasha had taken a new wife, no reconciliation between us was possible; I therefore demanded the re- turn of my fortune. “Verywell,” said the minister; “cite him to appear before the Porte. If he refuses to go, do you come back to me.” W’ith these words he handed me a purse full of gold, to support me pending the decision of my cause. Several times did I send the messengers of the court. They were brutally repulsed by the servants of Mehem- et-Pasha. I was thereupon obliged once more to go to the minister, to whom the citations also were sent. The grand vizier informed the Sultan of what had hap- pened, and got him to sign a firman, ordering my former husband to reply to the demand which it was my inten- tion to present against him before the Porte. The im- perial reseript was conveyed to the defendant by one of his highness’s chamberlains. RESHID-PASHA’S ZEAL. 189 It would be impossible to say what trouble reigned in the house of Mehemet-Pasha on the reception of the roy- al mandate. The Pasha’s new wife, the Pasha himself, Bessim-Bey, his brother-in-law, who had flattered himself that he had appeased me by his delusive promises, all were thrown into Consternation, and thought themselves lost. Next day Fehim—Effendi, one of my husband’s rel- atives, came to me, and in a most obsequious tone offered to give me all I was pleased to demand. I had only to present my statement of claims, when he would immedi- ately discharge them. “As soon as you are satisfied,” said he, “you shall give me a declaration to the effect that you have no fur- ther claim. He can present it to the divan when he makes his appearance there.” After the zeal that Reshid-Pasha had displayed in my favor, I could not do him so ill a turn as to cause it to be supposed that he had induced his master to sign a firman without any object; which could not fail to he believed to be the case if Mehemet-Pasha, on appearing .111 obedi- ence to the decree, had handed in a document such as that which he wished to obtain from me. It might fol- low that the grand vizier would be dismissed from office owing to such an incident; but whether he preserved his power or lost it, none the less should I be exposed to the just resentment of a man ‘who had shown himself full of kindness toward me. I therefore rejected the propo. sals that had been made to me as above mentioned. The cause was called on, and, through my advocate, I put in a statement of the~ jewels, diamonds, articles of vertu, furniture, carriages, eto, constituting my personal property, and comprising both What I had of my own 190 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. and the presents that had been made me—the whole amounting to upward of four million piastres (forty thou- sand pounds). In spite of all the subterfuges that my adversary’s agent could employ, his client was ordered ‘ to make over to me every thing I claimed. \Vhen the decision was pronounced, I only required, in order to se- cure its execution within three days, the approval of the Sheik-ul-Islam, or supreme religious dignitary, as decisions in civil matters are given by interpretation of the Koran. But at this stage of the proceedings a political turmoil sprang up which overthrew my fair prospects and gave the upper hand to my adversaries. Within forty-eight hours, from a triumphant suitor, I was reduced to the condition of a Victim of despotism. Reshid-Pasha, satisfied at having administered this se- vere check to my husband; resolved to deal a blow against his other rival, Mehemet-Ali, whose case with the banker was still pending. The latter, notwithstanding the im- perial firman laying the commands of the Sultan upon him, had not made his appearance before the Porte to answer the claim lodged against him by his banker, Dje- zai’rii-Oghlu. The grand vizier hastened to inform the Sultan of this circumstance, representing the prince’s dis- obedience as an act of rebellion of mOst dangerous exam- ple against the supreme authority of the Padishah, and obtained an order of banishment against Mehemet-Ali— Pasha, who was on the point of retiring to rest, when his attendants came to inform him that the palace was sur- rounded by troops, and an officer was inquiring for him on the part of the Sultan. He went down, was arrest- ed,rough]y dragged away, and hurried on board a steam- er, which only waited for him to put out to sea. RESHID-PA SEA REPLA OED B Y ALI—PASIIA. 1 9 l The Sultan’s sister went next morning to the palace, but her brother refused to see her. Knowing how little able he was to refuse any thing to the ladies, he feared to run the risk of listening to the supplieations of the princess. She was not discouraged, but set in operation all the means of influence she had at her disposal, and before the end of the day obtained from the Sultan, who was indignant at the manner in which his authority had been abused, and at the hatred displayed by his grand vizier, the dispatch of a vessel appointed to bring back MehemetAli-Pasha. On hearing this news Reshid-Pasha resigned oflice. Aali-Pasha, a friend of the exile of a day and of my hus- band, was chosen to fill .the place of the retiring grand vizier, and Mehemet-Pasha was appointed president of the Tanzimat, a supreme court of appeal lately establish- ed at the request of the European powers. The Sheik-ui-Isiam, seeing these Changes, refused to ratify the decision pronounced in my favor under the fallen grand vizier. I was obliged to reeommenee the proceedings; but the defendant, by a privilege attaching to his new rank, was entitled to be believed on his oath respecting my demand. He declared himself ready to swear that nearly the whole of what belonged to me was the property of my daughter, then eight years old. He did not acknowledge my claim to more than thirty thou- sand piastres (about three hundred pounds). On the day that the oath was to be taken, I was brought to the house of the Pasha, where the highest dignitaries of the empire were assembled, to be present at the taking of the oath. On a table were laid out nu- merous documents and a copy of the Koran, 011 Which 192 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. the Pasha was going to swear. “Then I entered, instead of acknowledging by a bow the presence of him who stood now as my adversary, I merely saluted the by. standers, and took my place facing him. When invited to state my claim, I rose and sharply reproved Mehemet- Pasha for the sacrilege which he was ready to perpetrate. “I should never have thought,” I exclaimed, “that one who occupies your high position would come to-day to take an oath respecting the poor ornaments of a wom- an. How can you lower yourself to the pretense that necklaces, bracelets, robes, and ear-rings belong to you ?” At these words the Pasha, overcome with rage, rose and rushed upon me, while shouting: “Bring me my sword; I will kill this wretch who dares thus to insult me!” “Do not hesitate? said I, without displaying any emo- tion. “To complete your conduct, it only remains to assassinate me.” Numerous persons threw themselves, then, upon him and held him back. “Let him alone,” I added. “He has abandoned me in a cowardly manner, but he would not dare to commit a cowardly action in my presence.” This scene of Violence came to an end by the inter— ' ference of the Sheik—ul-Islam, who had us both removed out of each other’s reach. Next day, about sunrise, my house at Sari-Guzel was surrounded by a detachment of police, who forced an entrance arid compelled me to follow them. A carriage conveyed me straight to the office of the Minister of P0- lice, where I was imprisoned. The reason they gave me for the commission of this arbitrary act was that it 111 Y SECOND IJIPRIS ONAIENT. 1 9 3 was a punishment for the want of respect I showed for a vizier of the Sultan. My imprisonment lasted for five or six days, and the way it ended was sufiieiently Whimsical. The minister’s employe’s gave me to understand that the only means of obtaining my liberty was to sign a declaration renoun- eing all my effects, and accepting the conditions my hus- band imposed upon me. “Mind what you are about,” they told me; “if you show any obstinaey the Pasha will have you packed back again to Koniah. ” “I am in your hands,” I retorted; “you can do With me What you like.” Accordingly, on the ninth day of my imprisonment I was conducted, under escort, to the court, and there I was compelled to sign a mandate, in virtue of which I acknowledged to have thankfully accepted whatever the Pasha had consented to give. This signature once eX- torted, the agent of the police left the court, setting me thus at liberty. The Sheik-ul—Islam sent me that day What had been awarded to me by a decision Without appeal; that is to ,say, three hundred pounds, and the extremely modest pension that it had pleased my husband to allow me— only two pounds sterling, on my honor! I must here say, however, that jealousy more than meanness incited Kibrizh-Pasha to refuse me my rights. He dreaded that, once in possession of my property, I should leave for Europe. The idea that I should show my face to the gz'aour rendered him mad. ' 9 194 THIRTY YEARS IN THE ILJREJI. CHAPTER XXII. I leave Constantinople, and go to reside at Jalova.——~I meet 04 High- way Robben— Unhappy Condition of the Inhabitants of the Coun— try.— Tyranny 0f the .Mudz'rs. AFTER my litigation had been disposed of in the man- ner above mentioned, I went to live at J alova. It was very pleasant, after all the troubles I had undergone, to remove to some little distance from the scene of my suf- ferings. Separated from a husband for whom I had vowed unbounded affection, parted forever (as I thought) from a beloved daughter, deprived of fortune, and fallen from a position of the highest rank, I found retirement necessary for me. J alova is a town situated on the Gulf of Ismid, only three hours’ voyage by steamboat from Constantinople. I bought a. house and four horses, and engaged a woman to manage the first, and a man-sermnt to groom the horses and attend on me. In the neighborhood, Which was agreeably diversified by hills of most charming as- pect, were several Villages, which I proposed to Visit. Attended by my servant, I traveled without fear, by night as well as by day. The warnings of the mudirs, who endeavored to make me more circumspect, by tell- ing me how greatly the country was infested by robbers, did not restrain me in the rleast. Exercise was indis- pensable to drive away the thoughts of despair which, without it, would have been the death of me. In my retirement I always kept up some intercourse M Y CORDIAL RECEPTION BY TJEIE PEOPLE. 195 With the capital. Reshid-Pasha, and7 after his death, the ministers of his party, frequently wrote to me. An old lady also took care to give me news of my daughter, as to Whose lot I had great uneasiness, given up, as she was, to a woman who could not but hate her, and who seemed to dread my Vigilance to such a degree that she had taken the most rigorous measures to deprive me of the possibility of seeing my child, to whom she passed me off as dead. Hitherto my life had been passed in the highest spheres. Except on my excursion to the Druses and Bedouins, I had rarely come into contact with the people. It was, therefore, an entire novelty to me to find myself in the heart of the country, and to observe the inhab- itants. I Visited in succession all the different villages in the neighborhood ; sometimes I remained for twenty days without returning home. I was everywhere re- ceived with a degree of cordiality and respect that were quite touching. These good people, knowing who I was7 did their best to be accommodating. My arrival in any place was announced beforehand, and the wealthiest inhabitants disputed the honor of receiving me. \Vher- ever I presented myseif, I always found a lodging and a repast prepared for me. Notwithstanding the fears with which it had been at- tempted to inspire me, I was never attacked by any evil- disposed character. It would, however, have been a profitable undertaking to have robbed me, for I usually carried the greater part of my remaining property in a bag hooked on to my saddle. One night, as I was go- ing to Sulus, a village the charms of which I had heard highly spoken of, I climbed a mountain, on the other 196 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJII. side of which was the spot I was going to Visit. My servant was obliged to dismount and lead my horse, and it was with difficulty that he could get him to make the ascent. Suddenly there appeared before us a horseman wearing a large turban, with a gun in his hand, his belt furnished with pistols, and a sabre at his side. Of the middle height and thick-set, his face covered with a black, bushy beard, and his limbs powerfully formed, every thing about this man betokened more than com- mon strength. At this sight m'y attendant began to tremble from head to foot, and could scarcely continue to guide my horse. For my part, I attributed his de- meanor to the effect of a long and troublesome journey. rI‘he horseman of whom I spoke drew near to us, looked- attentively at me, and readily saw by my dress that I was a stranger to the country. ' “ Welcome, madam I” he exclaimed, in a loud voice. “ God protect you,” I replied. “ It would appear that you are an inhabitant of this neighborhood.” “Yes,” said he, “I live on this mountain ; but it 1 seems to me that you don’t belong to the country.” “No,” I rejoined; “I am from Constantinople, and some time ago I came to take up my abode at J aiova; but Sulus has been so highly commended to me, that I am on my way to that place. The night, however, is so dark, that I don’t know whether I shall be able to reach it easily.” “If you will suffer me to accompany you,” said my strange interlocutor, “I know a Greek priest in this Vil- lage, to whom I propose to conduct you.” I accepted his offer; he led the way, and we soon ar- rived at our destination. My guide knocked Violently at the door, and the priest at once came to open it. THE HIGHWA Y ROBBER. 1 97 “ Father, here is a lady Whom I have brought to you. Take care of her; I insist upon it,” he added, in a men-' aeing tone. The poor priest asked us in, gave me his best room to sleep in, woke his Wife and daughters, and ordered them to prepare dinner, While he himself took our horses to the stable. “Madam,” Cried my servant, as soon as he was alone with me, “I don’t understand your object in giving your- self into the hands of a robber. If you Wish to perish, that is your own lookout; but you ought not to get. me into such scrapes.” “Take courage,” said I. “I don’t know Whether or not that man is What you think him; but if he had any bad intentions, he would have executed them already. There is nothing to fear from him.” Soon afterward our host came in. “HOW hcame you, madam,” he asked, “ to fall in With the man Who brought you here ?” “ IIe accosted us on the mountain,” I answered; “ and on my telling him that I wished to make my way to Su- Ius, he conducted us to your house.” “You little know,” said the priest, “that this man is our ruin. He lives in a den in the neighborhood, and comes unexpectedly, from time to time, to the house of one or other of the inhabitants, and makes a demand for Whatever he pleases—money, oil, or silk. As he is ' known to be a desperate character, they hasten to satisfy .him. Many times the authorities have sent troops after him, but they have never been able to seize him. He has an astonishing scent to escape a meeting With the Zapties When, his depredations having passed all bounds, 198 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJII. they have been sent in quest of him. As soon as they are withdrawn, he exercises most atrocious vengeance on those whom he suspects to have made complaints of his misdeeds.” I partook of the repast Which my host’s daughters pre- pared for me, and then came my brigand friend. “Are you satisfied With the reception that has been given you? Have you any complaints to make ?” he asked. “011 the contrary,” said I, “I am quite satisfied, and know not how to thank you for having conducted me to the society of such obliging people.” He then sat down near me, and began to converse as follows. “I live on the summit of the mountain With a young girl Whose mother refused her to me, and Whom I car- 1ied off five years ago. We are very happy and com- fortable; she has made me the father of several children. I have a beautiful garden, and When you are pleased to set out on your travels I hope you Will pay me the hon- or of a Visit. I assure you that you Will not repent it; I Will display all my possessions, and you shall take away Whatever you please. W111 you come and see me tomorrow ‘3” “I can not come so soon,” I replied. “It is known Where I am. I have sent word to J alova that I shall re- turn to-morrow, and if I delay they Will at once send out in search of me; but When I come again into this neigh- borhood I will pay you a visit.” I used this language in order to excite his alarm, lest the police should be sent in pursuit if he ventured to at- tack me. He did not pressthe invitation, but withdrew. Early next morning I mounted on horseback, and, af- CULTURE OF THE OLIVE. 199 ter admiring the beauty of certain cascades which fell down the mountain side with considerable noise, I fol- lowed the sea-coast,’ on my way‘back to J alova. When I saw mySelf near the water I was not free from uneasi- ness; for if the idea occurred to my obliging robber 0f assailing me at that spot, he could easily kill me, plunder and throw me into the sea. It was with considerable satisfaction that I returned safe home again. I did my best to make myself agreeable to the villa- gers near whom I lived. I voluntarily interposed be- tween them and the mudirs before whom they were sum- moned. These functionaries, knowing the terms I was on with some of the ministers, stood in awe of me, and complied with all my requests. They even went so far as to send me presents~ of considerable value, from fear of my invoking some superior authority to take cognizance of their doings. The usual grounds of my interference were the prose- cutiens entered against the people for the recovery of imposts, and I generally compelled their prosecutors to grant them reasonable time for payment. The two principal branches of industry to which the inhabitants devote themselves are the culture of the 01- ive and extraction of the oil, and the rearing of silk- worms and winding off the cocoons. The two products are ready for the market at about the same time of year, following by a fortnight or a month the period when im- posts are payable. The well-disposed mudirs wait pa- tiently for the sale of the stocks before demanding from the taX-payers their dues to the ma/zlt'eh (treasury). Those who act thus are beloved by those under their jurisdiction, but they find themselves reduced solely 200 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM to their salaries, and therefore they are rarely to be met With. - The great majority of these officials conduct then - selves in’ the following manner: As soon as the oil has been extracted, and before it is sufficiently clarified to be offered for sale, and When the cocoons are ready to be unwound, they send their cawas with an order for im- mediate payment. The poor creatures upon whom this demand is made, having j ust then none of their resources realized, see their products seized, and sold by auction at an absurdly inadequate price, to usurers Who have an understanding beforehand With the mudir as to making a profit out of these executions. These miscreants prom- ise that official a fixed sum, in order to induce him to bring about these iniquitous sales. They agree among themselves to have no competition, and they are well assured that the people of the country, being very poor, have no money available for the redemption, by’ process of law, of that of Which they can not prevent the seizure. There are even officials so monstrously unjust as to bring to sale every thing, including the furniture, steW-pans, and agricultural implements belonging to the poor, thus reducing them to beggary. The taX-payers can not get the superior authorities to listen to them. In the Vicinity of Constantinople the mudirs are all servants, secretaries, or grooms of minis- ters in office, Who put them in these places to recom- pense their services. The complaints of the inhabitants receive no attention from the ministers, Who are natu- rally'diSposed to favor their old servants, and are main- tained in this disposition by constant supplies of butter, silk, fruits, and vegetables, extorted from the peasants. AB USES OF THE ADflIINISTRA TION. 2 O 1 In the provinces distance is an additional obstacle; to which must be added the circumstance that the applica- tions, to reach the ears of the ministers, must go through V the vaZz's, who are all more inclined to favor their subor- dinates than the complainants. . »I sometimes amused myself, after the evening repast, by sitting in a rustic dwelling before the huge fire round which the rough but peaceable country folks assembled, while they offered me hospitality. It was on such an occasion that they expressed, with a charming simplicity, the sufferings they had to endure from their oppressors. “We see perfectly well,” said my host (a well~to-do agriculturist and an indefatigable workman), “that we have nothing to hope for. The Padishah desires only the] welfare of his people, but he is surrounded by sub- ordinates who rob us of the gold that is drawn from our tears and our toil.” “It will not do to lament over all that,” replied a brave and robust woodman, named Hussein. “Some- thing worse may happen. The gz'aours (Christiansfmay come and take possession of our country.” “\Vell! and do you think they will treat us worse than we are? On the contrary, fearful of a revolt on our part, they will endeavor to conciliate our good-will, and will govern us far more gently than we are governed now.” ‘ “ But,” said another, who was a confirmed Mussulman, and a pilgrim at Mecca, “ they will try to make us Chris- tians, and will persecute us on account of our religion.” “It is true that they hold our creed in abhorrenee,” then observed my host, “but they know that our faith is every thing to us. They will dread to make them- 9'}? 202 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. selves our mortal enemies by attacking What we have most at heart. You see that the English allow their 'Mussulman subjects to practice their rites’unmolested; the Russians, also, never attempt to convert the Tcher- kesses (Circassians) and other Mussulmans within their dominions.” I was much astonished, as may readily be supposed, to find these peasants reasoning in such a manner on subjects to which I had thought they would havebeen strangers; but the desire to ameliorate one’s condition tends to enlighten the most limited capacities. DEA TH 0F ABD UL-JIIEDJID. 2 03 CHAPTER XXIII. Death of Abdulerdjid.—Ktb¢teli-Pas7za mises AthuZ-Aeiz to the Tkro7ze.— Olzamcter 0f the new Sultan. Consequences of the pro- tection aforded 63/ the Consula—Disgrace 0f fifehemet-Pashw. I HAD been five years at Jalova, or in its Vicinity, when I heard that the Sultan, Abdul-Medjid, was ill. Kibrizli-Mehemet-Pasha, my husband, was grand vizier, and it was feared that a revolution would break out on the death of the Sultan. The discarded ministers got up an agitation in order to bring to the throne the Prince Mourad-Effendi, son of Abdul-Medjid. They thus acted in defiance of the Mussulman law, which conferred the sovereignty on the brother of the dying Sultan, Viz., the Prince Ahdul—Aziz, whose favorable disposition to- ward Mehemet-Pasha and his party were well known. I returned to Constantinople, in order to be in a posi- tion to take advantage of the new state of affairs which a fresh reign could not fail to produce. Mehemet-Pasha, meanwhile, took his measures to secure the rights of the legitimate heir. ’I'he chamberlains were devoted to him. Very few persons could contrive to penetrate t0 the chamber of the sick man, whose state was much more serious than was allowed to be known. The new Vali- deh-Sultan, mother of Abdul—Aziz, was apprised of it, and the prince, her son, kept himself prepared for any emergency. It was toward evening when the Padishah breathed his last, and the news was kept secret all that night. Next morning the public only learned the fact 20$ ' THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. from hearing the funeral chants given out by the muez- zins from the tops of the minarets, and seeing the Prince Abdul-Aziz going to the mosque to be proclaimed Sultan. The new Sultan, 0n ascending to power, showed him- self animated by the. best intentions. He desired to remedy those abuses that had deeply affected him while he was only a private individual. His accession was hailed as the presage of an era of prosperity for Turkey. He was known for his kindness, without ever carrying it to the verge of weakness, as did his predecessor. It was known that he had led ai‘etired life; that he had married only one wife, whom he had promised that he would never take any other but herself; that his tastes were Simple, and his expenditure moderate, without avarice; and after the excessive prodigality of Abdul- Medjid this latter quality was especially appreciated. It was believed that he would occupy himself independent- ly With the interests of his people, without yielding to the influence of the seraglio. His mother, the Valideh- Sultan, had a profound dislike to business, and he re- garded all women with equal indifference. He began by lodging in the old seraglio all his pred- ecessor’s wives, and put a stop to their disorderly con- duct; and next he busied himself with improving the condition of the troops. He wished to see the distribu- tion of stores punctually performed; the salaries paid when they became due; the soldiers’ clothes made of good materials; the bread and other provisions of good quality. All the ministers were in a' state of consterna- tion. They saw the contractors, with whom they had private agreements to sanction waste, compelled faithful- ly to execute their contracts with the Government. THE NEW SULTAN. 205 Some time after his ascension to the throne, however, his sister having made him a present of a youngslave, Abdul-Aziz could not refuse such a gift, for he would have gained a deadly enemy by so doing. Subsequent- ly, being struck with the charms of another slave, he made her also his oclalisque. At piesent he has three wives: this is'not much, compared to the brilliant and crowded seraglio kept by his predecessor. However, the Sultan’s Wives and oclalisques lead very simple lives; their luxury does not much exceed that of the ministers’ wives. Abdul-Aziz finds his chief pleasure in taking trips on board a steamboat. Twice a month he goes to pass two or three days alone in a small country-house of his own, on the sea-coast, two or three leagues from the capital; Which affords him the gratification of mak- ing a short voyage. When he was only heir to the throne, he used to spend nearly all his time on board a pleasure-yaeht, on Which he frequently took a voyage of several days’ duration. As is usual on taking possession of the throne, Abdul- Aziz had his palaces refurnished. This furnishing on such a scale is an important undertaking, and must pro- duce an outlay of several hundreds of thousands fer the benefit of those employed in the work, or those whose duty it is to procure the furniture. This incident affords an opportunity of pointing out by What means Europeans contrive, under the protection of their ambassadors and consuls, to make a rapid fortune in the East. Whoever offers the largest sum to the minister Who has the control of the work obtains the contrziet. It is a usually signed Without being read; his exeellency look- ing to one thing only—how much he is to receive. The 206 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HARE}. furniture, of the value of five or six hundred thousand francs, is purchased at Paris or Lyons, on account of the Sultan, by. the contractor; and the latter presents a bill for four or five millions, which is approved by the min- ister. The contractor obtains, by dint of continued applica- tions, the payment of installmentsramounting toyseven or eight hundred thousand francs—probably the cost price of the furniture and the allowance to the august signatory. ‘ The latter refuses to pay more; alleges the poverty of the treasury~that to pay such a large sum as that claimed would compromise him—that by-and-by he will be able to make up further installments, etc. The contractor then waits for a change of ministers. As soon as a new vizier is appointed, he calls upon him and demands payment of the balance. His exeellency flies into a passion; declares that he who allowed such an account has participated in a most iniquitous robbery. “It is impossible,” says he, “ to pay so enormous a sum as that claimed for a thing of so little value as the fur- niture supplied.” If the creditor is a Frenchman, he goes to his ambaSA sador 0r consul, who communicates with the government of the Porte, and protests against the course taken by the new minister. “It is impossible to admit,” says the diplomatic agent, “that a claim is to be rejected under the pretext that it has been approved by a vizier who is not now in office. Such a proceeding is robbery. The cabinet which I represent can not suffer the. Porte to treat with such contempt the interests of the French who are established in Turkey.” In spite of all his ef- forts, the Ottoman minister is obliged to yield, and to RIZA-PASIflt. 207 satisfy a claim advanced in so peremptory a fashion. Of course the affair ends at last c2 Z’amz’able, and both the minister and the dragoman get out of it their little pom-boz're. Abdul-Aziz had now held sway for two months, and was still animated by an ardent zeal for the repression of abuses. Riza-Pasha, Minister for VVar‘in the previ- ous reign, was charged with numerous frauds; more- over, he had made every effort to get the Prince Mourad appointed in succession to his father, to the detriment of the new sovereign. The Sultan called upon him to make restitution of sundry large sums, of which he told him the amount. Riza-Pasha shut himself up in his house and refused to pay any thing. The Sultan there- upon appointed him Governor of Smyrna, as a means of removing the culprit to a distance from Constantino- ple, where his wealth had gained him a great number of friends or accomplices interested in supporting him, and well able to give trouble if any attempt were made to gain forcible possession of the person of their patron. Riza—Pasha was obliged to obey, but he went away very unwillingly. He had not resided for many days at Smyrna, when he received the order to go into exile; instead of submitting to it, he took refuge on board a French frigate. The Sultan demanded his extradition from the French Government, whose protege he was. The reply was, that the prisoner would be given up, but only upon the condition that prosecutions were to be in- stituted against all the former ministers, as Riza-Pasha had only acted in conformity with their usual proceed- ings. ' Very shortly afterward, the enemies of Mehemet-Pasha 208- THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. succeeded in depriving him of the high position which he had hitherto occupied. Insinuations were made to the Sultan that his grand vizier considered himself to be the teal master of Turkey. If he was listened to, it was said, one would suppose that it was to hiin alone the Sultan owed his throne, and that he would be quite un- able to retain it- without the powerful support of his servant. Fuad-Pasha, who was the originator of these reports, succeeded to the inheritance of the individual whose disgrace he had procured. The Sultan, perpetually haunted by the dread of a con- spiracy, was determined not to leave to Mehemet-Pasha the possibility of joining himself with the discontented factions. ’He intimated to him the order to repair im- mediately to Adrianople. Under Abdul—Medjid these orders were rarely carried into actual execution; it was considered sufficient if the individual who reeeivedone confined himself to his own palace, and was careful not to mix himself up in any political intrigue; if he strict- ly adhered to this line of conduct, he was left in peace. The new Sultan, accidentally passing before the palace of Mehemet-Pasha two days after the order had been given for his departure, was very indignant at seeing that it was still inhabited. He sent a message to the (iisgraced minister that on the day after the morrow a steamboat would be in readiness to receive him. The Pasha was compelled to obey; he took with him his wife, but left behind my daughter Aisheh, whom he had married to Shevket-Pasha, the son of my rival. This exile to Adri- anople lasted two years. AISHEH-HANUM 209 CHAPTER XXIV. Atskch’s Condition.—Oomluct 0f Fcrideh.—Family Education.— Family Life. AS I have already had occasion to narrate, in the course of this history, when I was separated from my husband, I had left with him a son and a daughter. My daughter was called Aisheh-Hanum; when the catas‘ trophe occurred which parted. ‘us, she was in her eighth year. Her lot was as cruel as my own—I may. even say that it was worse; for I, though ineziile and poverty, still enjoyed a certain liberty of action. My unfortunate Aisheh fell into the hands of a mother—in-law, whose ci‘uelty and malice far exceeded what is universally at~ tributed to mothers-in-iaw in general. This quintes- sence of evil qualities was called Ferideh-IIanum; her first husband had been a certain Reshid-Effendi, a re.~ nowned writer, notorious for his drunkenness. The mal- ice of the one and the drunkenness 0f the other render- ed any agreement between this iil-assorted couple im- possible: they in consequence sought to recover liberty and tranquillity by a divorce. By this husband Ferideh had a son called Shevket, who accompanied her to her new home; she endeavored to have him recognized as the adopted son of his highness. I Ferideh, once installed in my husband’s house, sought by every possible means to establish her authority in it. She was entirely deficient in the ordinary grace and beauty of her sex; in default of these, she had recourse 210 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IfAREJI. to all kinds of intrigue, and brought into play every in- fluence which she could command. She availed herself of the protection accorded to her b§r the grand vizier, Reshid-Pasha, and the numerous friends and relatives of her own brother, Bessim-Bey. By a clever employment of these means, the shrewd and cunning woman succeed- ed in obtaining complete ascendency over Kibrizli-Pasha, who was compelled to submit to the yoke imposed on him by all these tricksters who surrounded him. Some- times it was the wife who had him in hand, sometimes it was Bessim; sometimes their slaves, or the relatives who took up the game. In the midst of all these intrigues the unhappy Pasha grumbled, became irritated, but in the end he was always either worked upon by flattery or oajoled by intrigue into yielding. In every difference, in every struggle which took place, it was always he who was in the‘wrong, and who was in consequence compelled to give way. But so adroit and skillful were those who pulled the strings, that Kibrizli never saw through their game, and, while obeying them implicitly, believed that he was acting according to his own will— so great is the power of intrigue in the private Circles of Oriental society! Ferideh, who aspired to universal rule, looked with an evil eye on the presence of my daughter Alisheh in her harem. Aisheh was the daughter of her rival, and was the one strong link that bound the heart of the Pasha to mine. She was, in consequence, the natural enemy of her mother-in-law—the one standing menace against her happiness and against the realization of her dreams of complete power and of complete absorption of the Pasha’s property. SUFFERINGS 0F AISHEH. 2 l 1 From the first moment that Ferideh set foot in my husband’s house, she strove by every possible means to separate the daughter frOm the father, so as gradually to weaken the bonds of affection which united them. With this object in View, she tool: most particular care to place every obstacle in the way of any meeting between f- ther and child, and carefully endeavored to prevent any tézfe-ci-zéle, the consequences of which she dreaded. To that effect, she confined Aisheh to a distant apartment, where she remained surrounded by slaves and out of sight of all comers. For years my daughter continued to be completely forgotten, and it was only by accident that any Visitors at the house ever observed her. A girl who was thus entirely neglected in regard to all the ordinary details Of family interests would, of ne‘ eessity, be brought up in the grossest general ignorance. The Turks, as a rule, have a dislike for educated per- sons; they prefer those who are ill-informed and igno- rant, for they feel sure of being able to manage them and to mold them to their will. Ferideh perfectly un- derstood what she was about, and it was with good rea- son that she determined to bring up my unfortunate Aisheh in the most profound ignorance. It thus hap- pened that, during the eight or nine years which pre- ceded the marriage 'of my'daughter, she had been taught nothing but to read the Koran, to be able to scrawl a sort of writing, and to do the sewing which is indis- pensable in a household. The remainder of her time was passed, as is not unusual in a harem, in gossip, al- ways Useless,’ and not unfrequently hurtful. My readers will, I am sure7 with difficulty believe that a girl belonging to one of the princely families of Tur- 212 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IMRJM key, the daughter of a man who had in his own person experienced the advantage of a European education, could have been so completely neglected as regards in- struction. Nevertheless, this phenomenOn would be eas- ily intelligible to any one who was acquainted with the disposition and Character of Kibrizli-Pasha, and with the habits and manners of the highest classes in Constanti- nople. It is true that Kibrizli had received a certain ed- ucation, of which a part had been acquired in Turkey and a part in France; but this education consisted of a thin sur- face of knowledge veneered over a thick mass of i gnoranee. Kibrizli resembled the greater number of those who have been sent to Europe to be educated, in having only acquired a smattering of learning, and having just mas- tered suflieient of the rudiments to enable him to pass through the indispensable formalities of an examination. He had never advanced sufficiently far to acquire any real love for science, or to enable him to recognize the positive‘neeessity and importance of instruction. Besides this, he had never been able to shake off the ideas which are innate in all Turks, and which lead them to believe that there is no such paramount requirement of knowledge among women as to make its requisition a necessity. Kibrizli had preserved below the varnish of civilization the stamp of the old Turk; as such he look- ed down on women as inferior beings. He was one of those who, whenever speaking of women, would exelaim, with an air of self-snffieieney, “Oh! women have long hair and short wits.” And yet no man was ever so thoroughly under the thumb of women as himselflas between myself and Feri- Cleh we did with him what we liked. FAMILY LIFE. 213 From this tendency of opinion arose the indifference which was one of the causes of my unfortunate daugh- ter’s education being so lamentably neglected. But in- dependently of the small value Which his highness him- self attached .to instruction, the customs and habits prev- alent among Turkish grandees, as those already observed, exercised in this matter a most pernicious influence. Family life is, in reality, unknown among the Turks. The law of the Koran, which divides mankind into two distinct classes—men and women—does not admit of the existence of a family in Which each member can live the same life and form a part of one harmonious Whole. In Mussulman .society the men have separate ideas, hab- ' its, and interests; While, on the other hand, the women have others, Which belong exclusively to them. Thus persons Who pretend to form a part of one and the same family, have, in reality, nothing common among them- selves—neither apartments, nor goods, nor furniture, nor friends, nor even the same hours for taking rest. The selamlik (the apartments of the men) and the harem are, in consequence, two separate establishments, placed side by side, Where each one does What pleases him or her- self— the men on one side, the women on the other. The authority of the head of the family, when he is in a position to exercise any at all, is the only connection and bond of union between these two halves of the same household. This separate system, upon which Mussulman family life is based, acted upon by the paramount law of self- interest, gives rise'to a singularity Which can not escape! remark by an attentive ohserver.‘ It becomes evident that the degree of separation Which exists in Turkish 214 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. households between the men and the women can be measured by the greater or less amount of affluence in Which the family lives. A poor Mussulman has only one or two rooms for himself and his family ;i he is com- pelled to study economy, and on this aecount he, like a good father of a family, eats, drinks, and sleeps with his wife and children. The well-to-do middle-class man establishes his household after a much more orthodox fashien, and begins by draWing a more palpable line of demarkation betWeen himself and his harem. , Two or three rooms are cempletely divided off from the remain— der 0f the house; these form the sela’mlik—the apart- ment for men and place of reception; the remainder of the house constitutes the harem, the forbidden ground. If we now go‘ to the rieh—to the Pasha With three tails—or to the minister with a portfolio, we shall find his palace installed in grand style, andthe separation be- tween men and women more complete. The selamhk of a grandee comprises an entirely separate building, and the harem has the proportions of a colossal palace, With iron gates, grated Windows, and a garden surrounded by high walls. The men and women, shut up in these two divisions of the household, remain completely isolated from each 0ther,iand have no means of communication except through the euhuchs,’ or through the female Chris- tian servants Who are attached to the harem. The Pa- sha, his sons, and near relations, Who alone have the privilege of free entry into the harem, can only enter it by a. sort of bridge, incleSed with iron gratings—a’kind of secret passage, Which is traversed under the escort and charge of a eunuch. ‘ This complete separation between the harem and the FAMIL Y LIFE. 215 selamlik gratifies the vanity, and satisfies the pride, of the grandees of Constantinople. The higher they rise in station, the more absurd they make themselves in taking useless precautions; and in enforcing ridiculous formali- ties, as means of elevating their Wives by withdrawing them from the eyes of the lower orders. The natural result of this complete separation of the two establish- ments is the existence of diverging habits of life. The women on their side have their own private affairs, their own household management, and their own intrigues; they entertain their friends, have their receptions, and amuse themselves in their own fashion. In the selamlik, the Pashas, with their friends and domesticgdo the'same thing; there they' receive their Visitors and guests, and spend their time intriguing and gossiping, or in setting themseIVes up as puppets to be admired by their para- sites and flatterers. If, on the one side, the men are spendthrifts and dis- sipate their means, on the other the women fail not to do the same. The efforts made on both sides to get the up- per hand, and to surpass each other in magnificence, give rise to a sort Of rivalry between the two elements. The master of the house—Pasha or Effendi, Whichever he may be—generally plays the part of moderator between the different members of the seraglio; but this part, orig- inating rather in egotism than in any real Wish for mod- eration7 is generally confined to two points—to assure to himself the full enjoyment of the harem, and to maintain the splendor of the sel‘amiik. If the Pasha obtains his aim in the enjoyment of the one, and in satiety 0f the other of these worldly pleasures, he makes light of all else, and shuts his eyes to the robberies committed by 216 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. his domestics, and to the extravagance and excesses of his Wives. ., The Pashas, caring" for nothing but their own pleas- ures and gratifieation,1eave the entire management of their households in the hands of an intendant—k'l‘a'l'ah— who does much for himself, and very little for any one else, and often ends in plunging the Pasha into debt up to his neck. Those Pashas Who are shrewd hold the opinion that it is much more advantageous to occupy themselves With robberies on a large scale in the admin~ istration of affairs, than to trouble their heads ~With the petty thefts in detail made by their intendants and do- mestics. Thus a sort of tacit understanding grows up between master and servant, by Which each robs to the best of his ability—the one Wholesale, the other retail. A Pasha, having thus disembarrassed himself of all care and trouble as regards his private establishment, becomes, so to say, a mere guest in his own home. Dur- ing the day be generally passes his time at the Porte7 where he discusses questions of justice and politics with all comers; then he makes his rounds in the town, Visits his friends and partisans, and stretches the lines Which are to form the nets of his political intrigues. Toward the evening, at five or siX o’clock, his exeelleney makes a solemn entry into his palace, accompanied by his aids de-eamp and the gentlemen of his suite. Arrived at the top of the staircase, he does not enter his own apart- ments, but Without loss of time turns toward the great gate Which gives entrance into the harem. A eunuch, Who stands as sentinel at the door, throws it open with all the requisite ceremoniais, and introduces the Pasha into the Dwelling of Bliss. In the hall of the harem he FAJIIL Y LIFE. 217 is received by his Wife, 01‘ by the direetress 0r superin- tendent 0f the harem, and to her belongs the honor of introducing him into the inner Chamber. The Pasha, as a general rule, does not remain more than a quarter of an hour in the harem; that is to say, the precise time necessary to undress himself, and to put on his dressing-gown and pelisse 0f ermine fur. In this costume, which is not wanting in elegance or-comfort, he again returns to the apartments of the men, and proceeds to occupy his customary place on the divan. He has hardly had time. to install himself here before the entry of a procession of his friends, his flatterers, and of per- sons who desire to ask favors of him; these, one after the other, kiss the hem of his robe, and take their places in line before him. Surrounded by these people, the Pasha drinks his hot- tle of mini, eats some dried raisins and filbei‘ts, and smokes several pipes. \Vheii the'hour of dinner arrives, his GX- eelleney places himself at the head of the hungry troop around him, and conducts them to the dining-hail. All Who have the honOr of sharing his repast do not fail to give loud expression to their gratitude; and at each mouthful which they swallow they never omit to make a profound reverence. The great man, on his part, see- ing how injurious his august presence is to the satisfac- tory digestion of his guests, does not cease during the re- past to encourage them, and urge them on by the power- ful stimulus of his voice. \Vith this View, at each ocea- sion of a new dish appearing, he never fails to request them to attack it in earnest, crying out continually in a loud and sonorous voice, “Bu’z'uru'n, but'urzm”——“Eat, my friends, eat.” 1 O 218 TIIIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. When the dinner is concluded, the Pasha and his friends return and place themselves in‘ the same seats Which they occupied before it commenced; then begins a course of coffee and pipes, and a renewed course of social and political gossip. ' Sometimes, but rarely, as a variation, cards are played; but tric-trac is more in vogue: the great world at Constantinople have a prefer- ence for this kind of diversion. The Pasha and his eir- cie spend their evenings in this fashion among them- selves, without caring What their Wives may do in the harem. These, on their part, endeavor to amuse them- selves as best they can, by assembling round them their friends and all the gossips 0f the neighborhoOd, and With these companions they 1augh,they feast, they play games, and sometimes have a little music with tambours—tef. It is generally haif-past eleven before the Pasha defin- itively retires for the night to the harem: he is received at the threshold by the eunuch, Who waits his approach, standing With lights in each ha11d,’and Who precedes him through the entranee-hall to the apartment of his wife. At the time of rising in the morning, the Pasha is at- tended by slaves7 Who assist at his teiiet and abiutions; When these areveomplet’ed, and he is ready to leave his room, he remains a few minutes and talks With the mem- bers of the harem on any subjects which may interest them. It is usually at this early 26066 that his daughters and female relatives take the opportunity of presenting themselves and enjoying his society. When this short space of time has elapsed, he hastily takes his departure, in order that he may not keep too long in suspense the crowd of worshipers Who are waiting for a sight of his august countenance. ,_V“‘,1 9.1. 14..., FAMILY LIFE. 219 The description Which Ihave now given of life among the Turkish grandees sufficiently explains the kind of intercourse Which exists between members of the same family, and What little care parents’take of their chil- dren. It is true that for boys the case is different, be- cause the latter have the power of going out, and can enter the harem When they please; and7 besides, as their education is much more cared for, the separation from their father has not such a disastrous effect. The daugh- ters are those Who really suffer from this entire absence of family life and of a father’s care, Whom they do not see, perhaps, more than once or twice in a month. Con- fined entirely to their own apartments, they depend sole- ly on their own resources, having no society but that of slaves and old women, Who surround them, and amuse and manage them as they please. My poor Aisheh was not treated With greater distinc- tion than the ordinary children of a family, either as regards instruction or in the general tenor of her life. If any exception was made, it was decidedly to her dis- advantage, as every rmeans and trick was employed in ' order to withdraw her as much as possible from'the, eye of her father and of the world, and to keep a constant watch over her. The cunning Ferideh was well aware that she wasmueh beloved by her father. Influenced by an ignoble feeling of jealousy, she constantly inter? posed between them, never ceased to Spy on my child, and took unceasing precautions to prevent any acci- dental meeting With him. 220 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. CHAPTER XXV. Apprehensions Qf Ferideh.——Her Manwuvres.—Mawiage Scheme.— ‘ Choice of Shevket. THE complete isolation to Which A'Isheh was con- demned, and the strict surveillance to Which she was subjected,- had for their object the prevention of the de- velopment of her intellectual faculties, and it was hoped thereby to retain her in a permahent state of mental degradation. But even if this object had been fully attained, it would, not have satisfied this savage mother- in-law, Whose jealousy and eupidity knew no bounds. By keepingthe daughter of her rival in a brutalizing state of ignorance, she succeeded wonderfully in her de- signs, for a brute is never to be feared; but a brute has a heart, and knows What the low; of a mother is. This notion flashed across Ferideh’s mind, causing her serious apprehensions, and ‘making her fear that filial ' love would find a respohse 'in the heaft of the unfortunate A'l'sheh. ' “ Never,” said she, “never !' Aisheh is in my power. She must belong, body and soul, to me alone. If the voice of nature calls upon her, I Will stifle it, for I and my rival can never be on an equality. A'l'sheh must forget even the very name of her mother.” Impelled,- therefore, by-blind passion and a boundless jealousy, the mother-in-law set to work to attain her aim, Which was to cause every trace of me to disappear From her mind. For this purpose she took care to sur- round the girl with people, Who were devoted to her JUANOFJ UVRES 0F FERIDEE 22 1 wishes; and in addition to them she began a systematic attack, in order entirely to drive away any remains of filial love which might still remain in her heart. There was no atrocity or calumny which could be devised against me which these people did not repeat to A'l'sheh, enlarging on and bringing them forcibly before the ten- der spirit of my unfortunate daughter. These clever tactics, as I had foreseen, did not fail to obtain a complete. success, for, sharp as she was, poor Aisheh was forced to feel all the influences which they brought to bear upon her. So, by dint of lies and con- tinual efforts, the Volever emissaries of Ferideh succeeded in making my daughter believe 'all sorts of absurdities against me, and impressed her with the idea that, like the mythological beings, she was the child of a monster in flesh. Having succeeded in poisoning and perverting A'1'sh eh’s mind, the wily Ferideh thought it would be better to en- deavor to effaoe every trace of her rival from the daugh- ter’s mind; by this means she fancied she would remain absolute mistress of her destiny. In causing the last vestiges of a past domination to disappear, she calculated to consolidate her own. An order was therefore given to the people about the house that they were to spread the report of my death, and never to mention my name again. The 'same order was also given to those who came to the house, so that none should mention the name of Melek-Hanum in the presence of thegirl. Fur- ther, as a precautionary measure, all those who had fre- quented the house in my time, and who knew me, were dispensed with. Ferideh evidently feared lest ki-ndly-I disposed or indiscreet persons should reveal the truth to 222 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. her whom she desired so ardently to deceive and mys- tify. Among the persons who were excluded can be enumerated Atidjeh, Hanum-Effendi, Zekieh-Hanum, the Hanum Sultanas, and several others. Owing to these plots and endless intrigues, Ferideh and her worthy brother, Bessim-Bey, a downright scoun- drel, made my poor daughter their slave, only allowing her to see What they liked and hear what suited them. Aisheh had to submit to this slavery in the midst even of her family, and under her father’s eye, for seven years, until she had attained her sixteenth year. Hav- ing reached this age, when girls in the East are con- sidered marriageable, Aisheh began to excite notice, OW- ing to the freshness and beauty ofher face and her youth. A'i'sheh’s charms, at the same time that all remarked them, equally impressed Fericleh, who, in her quality of mother-in-law, had to think of her future. What will be the fate ’of this girl, is a question which Ferideh and her accomplices must often have put to each other. Owing to every sort of intrigue, they had succeeded up to that time in doing what they liked, and in keeping her in the most complete dependence. In Turkey, girls of good family usually many at six- teentand that because aspirants to obtain the hand of a great Pasha’s daughter are never wanting. This grand question namely, to know to whom would be intrusted my daughter’s future—heeame the topic and question to which all the policy of Ferideh and her clique had re- sort. rI‘his question became a fixed idea for them in the day-time and at nightmare (luring the night; but a real and tangible nightmare, for they were forced to decide one way or another. In fact, the question which arose MARRIA GE SCHEMES. 223 before them, like an insurmountable mountain, was truly one of the most; difficult which a set of sooundrels and rogues had ever to solve. Two courses presented themselves to Ferideh’s and Bessim’s consideration, 'by which to resolve the problem _of marriage. Either they had to give the girl to a young man who was able to keep her in the ease and comfort to which her birth entitled her, or they had to seek a suitable partz', who would be admitted to the house in the capacity Of son-in-law to his highness, Ki- brizli-Mehemet-Pasha. The first of these two aspirants did notsuit Ferideh at allyandfthat because the idea of separating herself from Ai‘sheh and giving her her liberty made her trem- - ble with fright. “ How,” said she, “ can I allow this girl to leave the house, away from my superintendence, in leaving her to the care of the first comer whom it would ’ be folly to fight against, and who would kiss my hand to-day that he might betray me the next? No, that can not be! And if, unluekily, my rival,-on hearing that her daughter is free and settled, should find her out and unfold to her our misdoiugs—how we separated her from her father—how we'despoiled her of all she possessed—‘ how we declared she was dead, the better to assure her death—if this were to happen, I am‘lost forever! But what am I saying? The union of the daughter with the mother would inevitably lead to the union of the hus- band. Eh! eh! eh! that is a fearful dream, a dream to make my hair stand on end ;‘ and if his highness, drawn into their midst, should see once again the woman he so loved, and whom he loves still, the triumph of my rival is certain, and I should be forever lost I” 224 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJII. Terrified bysuch a" terrible occurrence, Ferideh turn- ed her regards on to another.method whieh‘still re- mained for her to dispose of A'i‘sheh, which was to marry her to' a man of her choice, who would keep her under the paternal roof. This was the only means which of- fered a certain guaranty, and it was to this that the per- fidious mother-in-law had recourse. But, even while deciding on this last, Ferideh’stroubles appeared only to increase ; ' the more she surmbunted, the more appear- ed to arrive. Being determined not tolet go of her prey, she sought for a husband—a sort of make-believe husband—an ignoble being, who would lend himself to play the T626 of accomplice, and who would be trans- formed into the jailer, and even the executioner of his Victim. Among people who wish to make their fortune at one stroke by marrying a girl, there are some of all sorts; thus Ferideh had not far to go before she found the in- dividualiwho would suit her, bad she been simple enough to rely on the first rogue who presented himself as suitor. But Ferideh was too cunning to trust too indis- criminately to any one. She songht for a sure husband, one who would be proof against all exterior influence and romantic sentiment, one who would be hired to do any thing. To judge by the absurd requirements and pretensions advanced by this mother-in-law, one would have decidedly thought she was ohoOsing a husband for herself and not for another. And yet all this was’simply mere play-work, but seri- ous play-work too, by means of which the players s0ught to blind every body, more especially Kibrizli, the father, in whose eyes they threw dust. While Ferideh7 Bes- CHOICE OF SHEVKET. 225 sim, and the rest appeared to be considering the future of Aisheh, and» were carrying on all sorts of intrigues, they had already passed sentence on their victim, and were considering the means by which they could put it into execution. Kibrizli had no other issue but two daughters; one was Aisheh, my child, and the other by his second marriage. These two daughters were there- fore the successors to his fortune; for at his death his possessions were to be equally divided between them. It was evident that at the death of the Pasha, with the remainder of this fortune A’1‘sheh would have acquired her own portion, which she would have been able to dis- pose of as she liked, even to sharing it withme, her mother. To prevent this7 and further to render it impossible for her to share and enjoy it With me, Ferideh and her re- lations decided on taking possession both of A'l'sheh and her fortune. But this could only be done by keeping the unfortunate girl to themselves—marrying her, in fact, to one of their relations. As often happens among rogues, several of Ferideb’s relations who had come forward as suitors fought be- tween themselves and intrigued to obtain the girl and her fortune. Each thought he was the favored individ- ual, and did his best to keep in the good'graces of, and conciliate himself with, Ferideh and the father of the girl. Ferideh had, however, already chosen her man, which she concealed all the more carefully because she feared lest any thing should compromise her success. rl‘he handful of suitors which the mother-in-law kept by her included three principal ones—Bessim-Bey, her eld- est, Shakir, her youngest brother, and Shevket, her son 10* 226 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. by Satosh-Reshid. The two former were only lay-fig- ures; the latter was, as it were, the trump card by which she hOped to win the game. Having made up her mind to drag A'isheh into her family, Ferideh began insensibly to alter her manner to- ward her, by taking her out of the solitude in which she had been left. Thus the unfortunate girl was subjected to the trial of a complete transformation, for her usual habits and surroundings were suddenly changed, and she was drawn, as if by enchantment, out of the cell where she had been kept. By Ferideh’s orders, her wardrobe was immediately filled'with rich clothes, her apartments were luxuriously furnished, the number of her servants and slaves was augmented, while several carriages and horses were put at her disposal. _ Thus, at the age of fifteen, my daughter was with- drawn from'this prison, where her intelligence and bod- ily health had languished for the long period of seven years, and she made her first appearance in the society of ladies. Having been gilded by the rays of Ferideh’s . favor, from that time A‘l'sheh beeame the object of the adulations and attention of all the acquaintances and friends of the house. The guests, who came in great numbers to solicit the patronage of his highness’s wife, began to turn their steps toward the apartments of the Pasha’s daughter, whose good-will they also desired to obtain. From this time, whenever Ferideh wished to go out paying oflicial calls, or, better still, ceremonious ones, she took care to be accompanied by Aisheh, whose beauty only added brillianoy to the corte’ge. After having eX- hibited her in the houses of the different ministers and PRESENTED TO ABD UL—AZIZ. 227 nobles of the empire, the mother-in-law took her With her When she was received into the imperial palace, and on this occasion she did not fail to present her to Abdul- Aziz, Who at this time was on the throne. The description of the ceremonial, and the curious in- cidents Which took place on the occasion of this recep- tion, such as they were repeated to me by my daughter, offer such a striking interest that I can not refrain from giving an account of it here. 2,28 THIRTY YEARS IN THE ILiREJI. CHAPTER XXVI. Cowonation 0f Abdul-Agiz:—Reception at the Semglz'o.——Eavtm0rdi— nary Custom—Incident at the Reception.—Accidental Theft. As it may be remembered, KibrizliéMehemet-Pasha‘, the father of my child, was at the head of the Ottoman cabinet at the death. of the late Sultan, Abdul-Medjid. In his capacity as head of the Government, like a sort of ad interim Sultan, it was he who had the upper hand . in affairs during the interregnum. It is to him, too, that the empire is indebted for the inauguration of the new reign, and the installation of Abdul-Aziz on the impe- rial throne; for the fidelity and energy of Kibrizli con- tributed enormously to the maintenance of order and respect for the laws and dynastic traditions. This period (1862) was assuredly the most brilliant epoch of the political career of Kibrizli-Pasha, for Prov- idence had reserved for him the role of supreme umpire, who, on the one hand, could consign the mortal remains of a Sultan to the tomb, and with the other aid his successor to gird on the sword of Osman. Being first among the viziers, he rallied them all around the throne, and his voice was law from one end of the empire to the other. His power and authority, which threw their rays over all, were shared to a certain extent by the woman who served him as companion, and that was Ferideh. Notwithstanding the complete separation of the two sex- es in the, East, the woman who shares her life with the man ends by also sharing, to some extent, his power and 00R ONA TION 0F ABD UL - AZIZ. 22 9 honors. Bound together as they are by common fate, this division becomes inevitable; Ferideh was then, at this time, the first among her fel- low-women7 the grand vizier of the women, as her hus- band was among the men. She was at the head of the vizier’s Wives, surrounded by the highest class of wom- en, for her protection and good graces Were sought after by all those who found any allurement in her power. At the period of the inauguration of the new reign, Kibrizli’s wife also played a part, and, being the first among the women, she considered it her duty to be pres- ent at the ceremonies, fétes, and receptions which were given to celebrate the succession of Abdul-Aziz to the throne. On the occasion of the official reception, which took place at the palace of the Dolma-Bagtcheh, Ferideh presented herself at the head of the feminine branch of diplomacy to swear fidelity and congratulate his impe- rial majesty on his accession to the throne. Accompanied by my daughter Aisheh, and surround- ed by a numerous. suite of ladies in waiting and slaves, who vied with each other in the beauty of their faces, the elegance of their figures, and the magnificence of their jeweis—in the, midst, I say, of a brilliant staff, Feri- deh approached the golden doors and marble staircases which, on the shores of the Bosporus, give access to the interior of the imperial harem. Hardly was the arrival of the cat‘que signaled which bore the harem of the grand vizier, than a crowd of guards and eunuchs in full dress arranged themselves in two lines, so as to render the honor due to the Wife of him who held in his hands the seal of the Padishah. Supported under her arms and elbows by numerous 230 TIZIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJM masters of the ceremonies, Ferideh had to walk . the whole distance between the banks and the entrance-door, trampling under her feet the rich shawls which had been spread out the length of the quay in her henor. Once arrived at the entrance-door, Kibrizli-Pasha’s wife was received by the first mistress of the Ceremonies of the imperial harem, who awaited her standing, with the ladies and slaves of her retinue. As separate chambers had been prepared for each of the guests, where they were to remain during the recep- tion,the mistress of ceremonies hastened to show Feri- -deh into the room which had been reserved for her; after which she and her suite were regaled with splen- did refreshments, including Eastern sherbets and Nea— politan ices. The refreshments were served duringthe interval which was accorded to the ladies to arrange their toilets and make themselves worthy of the impe- rial glance. The mistresses of ceremonies having announced the time was come for the ladies to pass into the reception- room7 the whole number of guests arose'with measured tread, and tool: the attitude required by the court cerel menial, crossing their hands before them. This attitude or position is known to the Turks under the name of “pencizeh-dz’van,” and it is in this posture that the women pray. Onypresenting themselves before the Sultan, who; is a man and a mortal like any other, Ferideh and her companions were not veiled. This incident demands a moment’s pause and also a little explanation, for my readers will feel naturally cu- rious to know how it is that the Turks allow their wives to appear before any one with their 'faces uncovered. EXTRA ORDINAR Y 0 US T OJI. ’ 2 3 l “Deeidedly,” they will say, “that must be a sign of progress among the Turks.” ' My readers must beware of arriving at premature conclusions on the faith of such an occurrence. rI‘he Turks may change, it is true, but never will they change on the point of jealousy: the most refined Turk, he who passes for a Europeanized being, once returned tohis home, is certain to eclipse all his compatriots on that one point of jealousy. As re- gards women, the Turk is jealous of his own shadow; he would never allow a profane gaze to fall on her. But, at the same time, the Turk is a curious being, with whom contrasts ’of every description are possible. For example, the Turk who would shudder to hear his wife’s name on the lips of another man, the same irascible, quarrelsome, and jealous being consents, with a light heart, to let his wife present herself unveiled before the Sultan. One can trace to two distinct causes this apparent eontradietion—this act which, for the Turk, is an act contrary to nature and the divine law: the first is-re- ligious sentiment; the second, a servile mind. Religious feeling is that which compels a Turk to commit an ac- tion which the Koran condemns most decidedly: ”in his opinion, the Sultan is a being placed above all mortals; he is the Prophet’s Vicar, the shadow of God upon earth —“Zz‘l—ullah.” These divine attributes evidently raise the Sultan above human creatures, and elevate him to that height, that none can think of putting him on the same footing as the rest of created beings. Such a profound respect for the sacred person of the. Padishah clearly explains how the Turks put aside their jealousy, and how they ever consent to allow their 232 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM wives to appear unveiled before a mortal. . Thus, since the Sultan has taken the title of Mohammed’s Vicar, the Turks have tacitly, accorded him the privilege of look- ing on the wives of his subjects. One thing which I do not know, and which I am very curious to understand, is, owing to what theological effort the Ulemas can rec- oncile the laws of the Koran upon marriage with the right of acme bZomche allowed to the Sultans. Accord- ing to the Koran, the moments that a Mussulman woman shows her face to a stranger, the marriage instantly be- comes null and void. Servitude is the second cause to which must be attrib- uted the existence of this privilege in favor of the Sul- ’ tans. In fact, the marked disposition shown by the Turks in making themselves the very humble and obe- dient servants of those who govern, added to the total absence of independent feeling, are reasons which can explain the'extraordinary abnegation of the Turk to- ward Mohammed’s Vicar and the reigning power. In the struggle between the ruling passions of his soul, fa— naticism and covetousness bear the palm, and jealousy remains powerless: then he consents that his wife shall present herself in all her beauty and attractions before the Sultan. “Padishaha yassak yok dur” (“To the Sultan nothing is forbidden”), says the Turk, shaking his head; and upon that he permits his wife to go. It, must be allowed that if subjects, on their'side, give such a signal proof of their loyalty and veneration for the sovereign, on the other hand, the Sultans have never abused the confidence placed in them. At the request of the grand mistress of ceremonies, all the ladies who were going to be presented, with Feri- INCIDENT AT THE RECEPTION: 233 deh at their head, advanced toward the throne-room. On entering the hall, she and my daughter: were con- ducted close to the Sultan, who stood upright and looked with surprise at the number of his faithful subjects. In accordance with the etiquette used at such ceremonies, Ferideh knelt down, and, bending forward,rkissed the feet of his imperial majesty. Aisheh, and all the other ladies or girls who followed her, imitated the example which the grand vizier’s wife had set them. Having achieved this act of adoration, they retreated, walking backward, so as not to turn their backs on the Sultan, and then they ranged themselves in a line along the wall. This latter ceremony was succeeded by a promenade, which the Sultan made round the hall—a sort of review, in fact, which gave him an occasion to address a few words and compliments to the wives of his ministers. Ferideh, who had precedence over the others, was the first to whom Abdul-Aziz spoke. When the Sultan came near her, he said, graciOusly, “Madame, I am high- ly satisfied with your husband, and the whole nation ap- preciates his high merit.” After this Abdul-Aziz continued his promenade with- out failing to speak a few words to the wives of Ali and Fuad-Pasha, besides other high dignitaries of the land. From what I have heard my daughter say, it wduld appear that her mother-in-law completely‘lost all pres- ence of mind when once she was confronted with Mo- hammed’s representative. But when the Sultan spoke to her, it was all over with Ferideh: the poor woman was seized with such a palpable convulsion that her head nearly sunk within the huge inass of her shoulders. 234; THIRTY YEARS ‘JN THE HAREM. When once the Sultan had passed, Ferideh became mere tranquil, and, taking courage, determined to repair the bad impression she must have given him. She decided, therefore; on making an ample apology by a. master- stroke, Which would put her on a level With her posi- tion. From this resolution of hers there arose an inci- dent Which ,unfortunately made her fall from the sub- lime to the ridiculous, and Which proved very annoying to her husband. Such things Often happen to persons Who insist on occupying a' position for which they are not intended, and, in seeking to repair a fault, they end by making a much graver one. On quitting the throne-room, the great ladies of the Ottoman aristocracy Were conducted to\ the Valideh-Sul- tan, Who, under the title of Empress-Mother, occupies a very high position. The ladies received a very courte- ous reception from the Sultana, and each took the place on the divan Which was assigned to her. Ferideh, at the head of the troop, sat eross-legged near the Valideh, to Whom she hastened to address a few respectful words. After having Congratulated her on the accession of her son to the throne, Ferideh thought it time to conciliate the favor of her majesty by making the following speech : “ Your majesty, no doubt, is aware how Kibrizli-Pasha, my husband, has been ever‘one 0f the most devoted serv- ants and sincere partisans of your august son, our 10rd. It is owing to his efforts and fidelity that the nation has to-day the happiness of celebrating Abdul-Aziz’s acces: sion to the throne.” The Valideh-Sultan could not refrain from receiving With visible signs of ceolness this doubtful compliment, in which the speaker clearly informed her that her son INCIDENT AT THE RECEPTION 285 and herself were indebted to Ferideh’s husband for the throne Which they had begun to occupy. The Sultana, however, restrained herself, mid with much presence of mind and good taste sought to turn the subject. But Ferideh, With her usual want of tact, did not no- tiee the effect Which the first part of her speech had pro- duced on the Sultana. _ Absorbed by political preocqu pations, she continued in the same strain, and began to unfold the programme of the reforms Which she and her husband intended to put into execution. “Yes,” said she, “it is time to put an end to the abuses, the thieves, and wickedness Which made the last reign one of infamy. The Pasha is determined to put a stop to such a state of things. All thieves must be sum- marily dealt With, the abuse of theimperial harem must be reformed, and Mussulman'society‘must be remodeled according to the precepts of our most holy prephet and the primitive laws of Islam.” The effect of such a tirade can be imagined 0n the Vah- deh’s mind. No doubt at first she felt undecided Wheth- er to laugh or be angry; for such language Could only belong to an insolent or a foolish creature. However, the Sultana gave her the latter preference; and she just- ]y appreciated her, for one must be truly mad to dream of’ making such wounding speeches concerning the hon~ or of the imperial family, before the mother even of the Sultan, and to pry into strictly private afi‘hirs whose so- lution only depends on the good pleasure and Will of the sovereign. The Valideh, having estimated the speaker for What she was worth, contented hex"Se1f'Wit11 simply turning her back on her and beginning a conversation With the other Wives of the different ministers. 236 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. No sooner was this done than Ferideh opened her eyes; but that only. caused her to measure the gulf which she had made between the imperial family and her husband. On her return to her home she found that this unlucky incident had already gone roimd the town, and had even reached Kibrizli’s ears. Several scenes were naturally the consequence, in the midst of which the Pashacould not refrain from saying to'his wife, “When God gave fools mouths, it was not that they might talk, but eat.” This diplomatic failure of Ferideh’s was enough to cause her many bitter'regrets, and to take from her any further wish to meddle in politics. But, like a philo- sophical woman, she resigned herself to her‘fate, and de- cided on taking things as they came. It is an ancient custom in the Ottoman Court to give gifts to those who are present at the official receptions. These presents are given. to the guests when they are about to leave. As a rule, they consist of rich brooches and other ornaments in diamonds, the beauty and value of which vary according to the importance and position of the people for whom they are-destined. Thus, at this reception, the Ottoman Court did not derogate from its traditional liberality and munificence, for care is taken to satisfy all the guests by the quantity and value of the gifts which were bestowed on them. Ferideh, .in her position of wife of the grand vizier, received the lion’sshare, which ought to have satisfied her. The ornaments presented to her from his imperial majesty were all in brilliants, to the value of one hun- dred thousand francs. Other similar things were also given to the ladies of her suite; and my daughterAi— ACCIDENTAL THEFT. 237 sheh received a costly 296mm, which was barely inferior to that of her mother-in-law. Contentedand, joyful on account of the reception, and still more so because of the presents which they took away with them, the mother- - in-law, daughter, and attendant ladies returned to their home. Once there, they barely gave themselves time to take off their veils than. they rushed up to Ferideh to obtain possession and revel in the sight of the jewels which belonged to them. They pushed each other about in their impatience, and on all sides arose cries of “ Where are my ornaments? where are myjewels?” I By degrees all these exclamations ceased, each one re- ceived what belongedto her, and all, wild with excite- ment, contemplated with avidity their richrpresents. But, in the midst of this general excitement, there was one who elamored in vain, and who had all the trouble in the world to make herself heard. That one was A'i'sheh, my daughter, who had vainly endeavored to get posses- sion of her jewels and could not find them. On finding that her case was not there, they began to search for. it everywhere, and to question every body, but without any success. Fear and suspicion. seized them all, and. they. began to say aloud, “How could the ornaments and their case both disappear ?” And this occurrence threw alarm and perturbation into the harem, as much among the strangers as its inmates. But while they were searching everywhere7 a voice made itself heard; it was Ferideh’s, .who called out in somewhat troubled tones, “Here is the case! Come, come, I.‘ have found it I” 238 » TIIIIBTY YEARS IN'THE HAREJI. The haste with which every one ran up can be im- agined, and the impatience with which they pressed round her who said she had discovered the lost object. But on opening the case, what was the surprise of eV- ery one to see it empty! It was difficult to believe one’s eyes, and. the case became an enigma to them all. “ Where is the ornament? \Vhere did it fail ?” Such were the'ques'tions which arose on every side, without any one’sbeing able to ansWer them. Up to this day the case incident has remained a mys- tery. As for my poor A'i'sheh, a few tears were shed, and then she forgot all about it. What is assuredly worthy of remark, is the fact that this occurrence of the stolen jewels is similar to what happened on a subsequent occasion. At the time of the marriage of Mustapha-Bey, brother of Kibrizii-Pasha, who was consequently uncle to my daughter, the Sultan Abdui-Aziz' sent as wedding-pres- ent a rich set of brilliants destined for the bride. The jewels were placed, by the Chamberlain to his majestv, in the hands of Ferideh, Who had taken upon herself the office of godmother. The beauty of these jewels, the light which burst f01th home this mass of brilliants, the exquisite taste of the set- ting, ail produced on Ferideh an effect so bewildering, that it is not wonderful that she should have lost her head while contemplating it. After that she was no longer mistress of herself, and the giddiness which seized her was such, that the good woman, on going to visit her future sister-in-law, instead of the superb ornaments she ought to have taken, brought another set, without .' .m nachafiu v _n ACCIDENTAL THEFT. 289 being aware of her mistake. It was true that the parure of jewels she gave her sister-in-law was very inferior to that sent by the Sultan, but When a mistake has been made it must be supposed that the value of the objects exchanged has nothing to do With the mistake. Never- theless, Mustapha-Bey was not of this opinion at first, as he decided on rectifyingthe error; the fear, however, of troubling his brother made him keep silent on the subject. 240 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. CHAPTER XXVII. ' / Marriage Schemes. —-— Betrothal. — Jlfarm'age Festivals. —— The Apart— ment qf the BMde.—- Wedding Ceremony. A YEAR was thus. passed in receptions and Visits of all sorts, in which my daughter Aisheh took part, in or- der to become initiated in the habits and customs of seei- ety at Constantinople. But while she was thus engaged, Ferideh had her own plans, and paved the way toward the realization of the dream she cherished more than all else in the world, and this was the marriage of Aisheh With her son Shevket. The first step she took toward forwarding this project was to present to the Pasha her eldest brother, Bessim-Bey, and, immediately afterward, Shakir; but on the refusal of her husband to listen to such aspirants for the hand of his daughter, Ferideh raised her mask and proposed her own son. It is aver- red that Kibrizli at first absolutely refused the proposi- tion, for the reason that the two young people having been brought up together as brother and sister, he could not consent to their being united by conjugal ties. This first rebufi' did not discourage the woman, who, to obtain her ends, did not hesitate to put the Pasha in a very difficult position. In fact, Ferideh managed things so skillfully, that she led him to think that, having eon- fiscated all my property, there was no alternative left for them but to keep my daughter also. For if Aisheh should ever get beyond their surveillance, all the chances were in favor of a meeting between me and my daugh- MARRIA GE SCHEMES. , 24:1 ter, and, if so, the question of the confiscation of my property would inevitably have come on the tapis. The marriage with her son Shevket would render such an hypothesis impossible, for not only would the girl re- main under their direct surveillance, but also she would never be able to hear or know any thing of her mother. \Vith such arguments, and thanks to the skillful in-I trigues of Ferideh’s ooterie, she succeeded in obtaining ‘ the hand of Aisheh for her son. As for the poor girl, no one troubled themselves to obtain her consent. In Turkey, it is the parents who arrange an these matters; if the parents think the parti a good one, the girls can only bow their heads. Thus onefine day the Pasha and his wife called my daughter into their presence, and notified to her their intention of giving her in. marriage. On leaving the chamber, the slaves surrounded the unfortunate girl, drew her into another apartment, and there attired her in robes of ceremony, and covered’ her head and neck with jewels. The preparations for the betrothment fin- ished, they conducted Aisheh into the middle of a large room, where were assembled the wives of the ministers and the aristocracy of the country. Before the cere- mony commenced they laid at the feet of the betrothed cashmere shawls and embroidered carpets of great value. The ceremony had nothing in itself worthy of inter- est; for it consisted only of a prayer that the imam read in a loud voice, and which was followed by the reading of a deed before witnesses of the conditions of the matri- monial contract. In the middle of the reading of this deed the witnesses sent by the future husband require the consent of the fiancéc. But this consent, which the 11 242 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. law of the Koran requires, is in reality only a pure and simple farce, for as the witnesses and the fiancée are sep- arated by a large folding-door, they could never know who the person was who uttered the fatal yes. The last act of this comedy was the crowning of my daughter by her stepmother, who was now about to ex- change that title for the sweeter one of mother-in-law. The finale of all this ceremony (as is the custom nearly everywhere) was the 972agm'ficat, for no sooner is the flan- cée crowned than the guests immediately attack the re- freshments, sweets, and sherbets that are placed before them. Four months passed between the betrothal and the celebration of the marriage. This period was much longer than usual in the generality of cases. It appears that the resistance of the girl, and her aversion to the proposed union, was the cause of this delay. Neverthe- less, by means of menaees and eajoleries they succeeded in overcoming her, and fixed the day for the marriage. I was at this time at Kadjik, a village in the vicinity of Constantinople7 situated on the borders of the Gulf of Nieomedia, at the foot of Olympus. I had gone there in order to find among the good and simple shepherds of Bithynia that repose of mind and body that the hatred of my enemies in the capital so greatly troubled. While all these plots were becoming develOped, with a broken heart I was, as I have said, retired from the world, and keeping a strict neutrality as regards all that concerned the interests and future of my daughter. In my deserted position, deprived as I was of all means, it was the best thing I could do; for any effort of mine, with the object of interfering in favor of my daughter, JIIARRIA GE FESTIVA LS. 243 would have had no other result than that of making her" position still more difficult. Resigning myself, therefore, to inaction and silence7 I had but one consolation in my solitude—the thought that the animosity of my enemies would lead one day to a crisis that would deliver my daughter from their hands, and reunite us forever. Until this moment should arrive, I considered it my duty in nowise to trouble the tranquillity of my child by reveal- ing to her that, contrary to what had been told her, I was still alive, and that I was not even far from her. Such a proceeding would have brought about complications that I had. no desire to provoke. While desiring ar- dently the"well-being and liberty of my daughter, I did not wish to attain this end by upsetting the whole of my husband’s establishment. Besides, the course fol- lowed by her mother-in-law and her associates showed clearly that a crisis was inevitable, and that the emaneia pation of my daughter was only a question of time. My enemies, on their side, took courage from my si- lence and inactivity, and brought things to a conclusion by the celebration of the marriage, which took place without once asking my consent, or even aoquainting me of it. The marriage of my daughter Aisheh with Shevket tool: place in the autumn of the year 1857. The wed- ding was not celebrated, however, with all the pomp that the public of ConstantinOple expected to have seen on the occasion of the marriage of the daughter of his highness, Kibrizli-Mehemet-Pasha. This circumstance did not fail to raise murmurs among the population, and comments of all kinds were circulated, from which one could learn that the sympathies of the public were not 24—1 THIRTY YEARS IN THE JLLREM. for this union. They thought that the two did not make a pair, and that a daughter of Kibrizli might have found a husband more worthy of heigthan Shevket, whose exterior was far from attractive, and who, besides, was penniless. In Turkey the mass of spectators do not spare their remarks on the bridegrooms; for, as they are exposed to the gaze of the public, every one picks them to pieces, and points out all their defects. If a pretty girl falls to the lot of an ugly fellow the specta- tors show him no mercy, and from one end of the town to the other they denounce him as being a monster. The Turkish lower classes are very unruly as regards this matter, and if they once take an aversion to any one they do not easily change. Thus7 in this case, the pub- lic hoped to bless with its sympathy the newly-married couple. The day of the marriage, the apartments and gardens of the summer residence of his highness at Ghienk-su were decorated and put in gala costume, in order to re- ceive the guests who came to attend the wedding. The guests of the Pasha and his son-in-iaw were received in the seiamlik, which is the apartment of the men; there, at midday, the tables were prepared, on which were ar- ranged all the most delicate and expensive dishes, the finest wines, and the best m/cz'. Troops of musicians, seated under the shadow of the trees, made the air re- sound with their pathetic songs, and thus encouraged the merriment at which Bacchus presides. Between Mohammed and Bacchus the last prevails; for after the third or fourth glass, the guests give themselves up, without reserve, to a wild and disorderly mirth. But let us leave the men in the middle of their joy THE APARTJIENT OF THE BRIDE. 245 and drunkenness, and turn our steps toward the harem, where since the morning many interesting scenes had taken place. Marriages are, after all, fétes for the wom- en, and it is only'just that they play the most important part in them. What I say is true for all countries in the world, but still more so in the East, where for the woman the wedding-day is the one on which her future depends, whether it be for good 0r evil. As for the man, the day of his marriage does not occupy so impor- tant a place in his life; if a first marriage does not turn out well, he can repeat the experiment as often as he pleases. Thus the position of the WOman is the reason that in a marriage she attracts the attention of every one, and is an object of preoccupation to all, and consequently all that occurs in a harem on a wedding-day is a subject of general interest. Several weeks previous to the celebration of the mar- riage, preparations on a vast scale had been made in order to decorate and furnish the bridal -ehamber in a manner worthy of the daughter of a grand vizier. The arrangements made to this effect were such that noth- ing was omitted, neither trouble nor expense, in order to show to the public an apartment that might truly be called sumptuous. ' i In the nuptial-ehamber the divan with its cushions were all in rich red velvet, embroidered in gold from one end to the other; besides which, the cushions had at each corner tassels composed of pearls. The windows and doors were ornamented with rich silk curtains, the fringe of which was also of gold. The carpet was one of those rich and soft gobelins whose design and color 246 TIIIRTY YEARS IN TIIE IIAREM. surpassed every thing that could he made of this kind in the East. The reader will have remarked in this description of the nuptial—chamber that no mention has been made of chairs, sofas, and the furniture which in the present day is considered indispensable even in Turkey. The fact is, that chairs and tables are excluded from the nup- tial-chambers ; for, according to custom, in this chamber there is nothing else but the divan and a curious article of furniture that they call the as/cz'. This @3752" is a thing which requires some explanations, and even detailed explanations, for this article of furni- ture belongs to the bride, and it only remains there dur- ing the ceremony of the marriage. The ((3% is neither more nor less than the throne of the bride, the throne on which she is placed to receive the homage of the crowd. They give the name of cash to a sort of tent or canopy of rose-colored net, which, being suspended from the ceil- ing, descends gracefully on to the floor; this canopy is sprinkled with gold stars, and surmounted with a wreath of flowers, which reach to the bottom in the sha. es of fes- toons. It is in this fairy-iike niche that (as I have said) the young bride is seated to receive the homage and congratulations of the inquisitive crowd. The_dziy after the marriage the 655756 naturally disappears, in order to make way for more useful furniture. After having described the bridal-chamber, we must pass to the other room, which is also the apartment of the bride. This one is the chamber for the trousseau, which the Turks call djeiss-odassi; it is here where the exhi- bition of all the riches which belong to the bride takes place. These riches consist of all sorts of things, such as A T URKISH WEDDING - DA Y. 247 toilet-table, massive silver dinner-serviee, linen embroi- dered in gold, mirrors, slippers, and cups covered. with diamonds and other precious stones, clocks, and costly velvets. All these articles were in this instance spread out With much care and art, for in all Turkish houses they make a point of dazzling the eyes of the public by the display of the riches they possess. All Turkish women without exception pride them- selves so much on the subject of the riches that were exhibited in their honor 0n the clay of their marriage, that one frequently hears old WOmen boasting that on the day of their wedding the crowd remained wonder- struek in contemplating the splendor of their trousseaus. These good old creatures forget thirty or forty years of their existence, and their misery; but it is impossible that they should forget the diamonds, the bijous, and the silver services that were displayed the day of their marriage. I have met some Who had even forgotten their husbands; but none Who forgot the djeiss-odassi, the chamber of the trousseau. ' It is needless to say that great precautions are taken to prevent pilfering. A gilt railing is arranged' in the chamber at a sufficient distance from the trousseau, and by this means they succeed in protecting the property of the bride from the effects of too indiscreet admiration. This precautionary measure is supported by a system of efficacious surveillance, Which is rendered all the more necessary, because on this day the doors of the harem are open to all sorts of people. Following the ancient custom, a wedding-day is a day of universal hospitality, and all women Who Wish to see the bride, and admire her trousseau, are free to enter Without invitation. 248 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJI. Thus, on each occasion of a wedding, numbers of women flock from all sides to see the spectacle. There are some women Who seem to have a sort of madness after weddings; there is no fear of their remaining at home When they once hear that there is a wedding any- where. XVith or Without invitation, they rise, dress them- selves, and run Straight to the house where the celebra- tion of the marriage takes place. Once there, the poor things content themselves by making remarks on the bride, criticising her toilet and her trousseau, eating pilaf and some sweets, and return home to recount to their neighbors all they have seen. Let us take up again the narrative of What took place at the marriage of my daughter, and thus Will be seen in What manner they celebrate marriages in Turkish high life. On the eve of the marriage a grand reception was held in the harem, at which were present all my daugh- ter’s friends and acquaintances. The name given to this reception is that of Zsizenah guz‘edjesz', for the reason that the fiancéc is conducted that night to the bath by her friends, Who paint the tips of her fingers and the eX- tremity of her feet With the khenah. By this festival the bride is meant to give a sign of the joy she feels at the approach of her marriage. The friends and acquaintances of the bride then conduct her, With lighted candles in their hands, all round the harem, making her at the same time a sort of ovation. A good supper completes the evening. I must here make a remark on the singularity of Turkish customs. The evening of the khenah Which precedes the marriage has been instituted to mark the WEDDING CEREJIONY. 2 4 9 passage of the bride from celibacy to the matrimonial state. It is on this evening that she quits the friends and customs of childhood to enter into a new existence. But this fete which precedes the marriage has its counterpart in the receptions given on the day follow- ing the marriage. On this occasion the bride makes her entry into the society of married women as one of themselves. On the morning of the great day my daughter was at- tired in a long dress embroidered with gold, and trim- med round the skirt with heavy fringe; this dress had two long trains, which were held up by two Circassian slaves, remarkable for their beauty and grace. A‘l'sheh was then crowned with a heavy diadem of diamonds. It is useless to speak here of the necklaces, bracelets, ear- rings, ete., with which they ornamented her; it suffices to say that her shoes were embroidered with gold, pearls, and diamonds. Evidently this profusion of diamonds and precious stones were intended to dazzle the girl and astonish the crowd, for they only figured provisionally during the soiemnity, Vfor ~immediatelyit was over all these gems were locked up in the treasure-eh’amber. Attired in this manner,A'1'sheh was conducted into the presence of her father. According to custom, she knelt down to kiss his feet, but the Pasha, raising her, gave her his blessing, and placed round her waist a belt of diamonds, a symbol of the dignity of a married wom- an, to which she was about to be raised. With the Turks, a woman must not wear this belt be- fore the day of her marriage; and the act of elasping the belt is a species of investiture that the father ought to confer on his child; it is the symbol of womanhood. 11* 250 THIRTY YEARS IN THE ILiREM. This custom is also used for young men,for in former times it was usual among the Turks to buckle the sabre on to the young warriors. The investiture of the sabre was made with a pomp not inferior to the celebration of a marriage. This institution is even in the present time occasionally used; thus, When a Sultan ascends the throne, instead of being crowned, according to the cus- tom adopted in the East, he receives the investiture of the sabre—the emblem of authority and force. In ornamenting the waist of his daughter with the nuptial belt7 the father invokes the protection of Heaven on her, and prays that she may be fruitful and happy. In receiving the belt, a daughter ceases from that mo- ment to depend on the paternal authority. This cere- mony is the last adieu that the father makes to his daughter When she is on the point of entering into the marriage state. The moment Aisheh left her father7 a shower of gold and silver money fell on the heads of the female specta— tors, who tumbled one over the other in their anxiety to catch some of them. This money is held in great con- sideration in Turkey among superstitious people, of Whom there are many: it is said that these coins bring happiness, consequently they are kept as long as possi- ble by their fortunate possessors, so as not to let their good luck leave them. As for the master of the house, Who distributes this metallic manna, he is more than convinced that, in throw- ing away money in this fashion, he brings good luck on the purse of his daughter. On leaving her father, the bride was again brought into the presence of her mother-in-Iaw, Who gave the fin- WEDDING CEREMONY. 251 ishing touches to her toilet—fastening on Aisheh’s fore- head, Cheeks, and chin diamond stars and flowers. This done, there only remained to cover her face With a rose- eolored veil, Which completely concealed her featUres. Enveloped in this manner, my daughter was conduct— ed to the top of the stairs, there to await the arrival of Shevket. Naturally he soon made his appearance, and, presenting her with his arm, they directed their steps to the bridal-ehamber. Once there, he handed her to her place under the cash, which I have already described. After having installed her under the canopy, Shevket left the chamber, without having dared to raise the veil from the face of his bride. AS Will be seen farther on, the veil is only raised in the evening after the benedic- tion of the imam. The bride, after her husband’s departure, remains seated in her niche, while the inquisitive crowd press round her on all sides, and shoals of admirers stand Open-mouthed before her trousseau. As the bride could not remain exposed to the gaze of the crowd for any length of time, after one 01‘ two hours of this martyrdom they generally allow her to retire into the guest-ehamber. Here the bride mixes With the rest of the society, and pai‘takes with them of the repast Which is served in the harem. We must now endeavor to give an account of what takes place among the men. After twelve o’clock they meet in the salons 0f the selamlik, where, as I have said, they pass their time in tasting of the delights of the ta- ble and the charms of music. The hour for evening prayer and the voice of the imam all at once terminates the orgies, and interrupts the songs. Every one hastens , 252 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. to take his place in the ranks of the faithful who go to invoke the heavenly benediction on those who this day are united by the sacred tie of marriage. In the first line was Kibrizh, the father of the bride; by his side were several Pashas and people intimately connected with his highness. In the second line was the bridegroom, Sheret, and by his side were his rela- tives and. friends. The other line was composed of in- vited guests of less importance and the members of the household, and all who wished to offer prayers like true and good Mussulmans. XVhen the prayer was ended, all the company rose and formed a circle round the imam7 who7 turning to- ward the bridegroom, recited a short prayer in order to invoke the Divine blessing on the union he was about to make. But scarcely were the last words of the prayer finished before the bridegroom slid away from the midst of all the guests and quickly ran toward the door of the harem. Many of his companions followed him, and, be- ing quicker than he was, they overtook him and admin- istered to him several bIOWS on the back. These blows are the last adieus that young men make to a comrade who is about to enter on married life. This is a very ancient custom with the Turks; sometimes, however, in- stead of giving the bridegroom blows on the back, they throw 01d slippers after him. At the door of the harem the bridegroom was received by a eunuch, who, with a torch in his hand, conducted him to the nuptial-chamber. “Then there,’ however, the bridegroom has by no means finished with the cere- monies and formalities that custom imposes. He sees his bride, who, covered with her veil, aWaits him at the WEDDING OEREJIONY. 25 3 end of the divan; he gazes at her, and, full of impa- tience, desires to approach her, but behold! to augment the troubles of Tantalus, the mistress of the ceremonies of the nuptial-chamher (yenghz’eh-icadz’n) makes her ap- pearance, and spreads before the bridegroom a praying- carpet, embroidered in gold. The bridegroom, obeying this invitation, recites a prayer, which is very short, for in this supreme moment each minute appears to him to be a century. This short prayer finished, and the mistress of the ceremonies having taken her departure, the bridegroom approaches his bride. It is not the custom for the bride. groom to raise his bride’s veil Without a good deal of ceremony and finesse. Oriental manners do not tolerate that the husband should be guilty of rudeness. It is true that he has now become absolute master, and that the woman is there to obey his will; nevertheless, a del- icate and romantic sentiment imposes on him respect for the woman he has made his wife. It is only, therefore, after praying and heseeching, that the bridegroom suc- ceeds in overcoming the modesty of the bride, and that he obtains the favor of admiring her countenance for the first time. Having repeated his petition three times consecutive- 1y, the bridegroom raises her veil, and hastens to show his recognition of the favor he has received by fastening a diamond pin in her hair. Custom makes this present obligatory, for the husband has to pay for the happiness » of seeing his bride’s face. Yuz-gzmomluic is the name the Turks give to the present that a girl requires for showing her face. It must be understood that it is only girls Who have 254 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. the right to demand a price for showing their faces; women Who marry for the second time are not allowed to have this privilege. On the contrary, if a woman who has already been married unites herself With a per- son Who enters for the first time into the married state7 it is she Who has to make a present to her bridegroom as the price of seeing his face. The day after the wedding is also a day of solemnity. On leaving the nuptiai-chamber, Shevket went, accord- ing to custom, to kiss the hand of his father-in-Iaw, Who gave him a beautiful diamond ring and an Arab horse. The mother-in-law, on her side, made the bride a present When she went to pay her respects, and acknowledge her as being her mother-in-law. Toward noon the banquet of legs of mutton took place, at Which the bride and the married women, friends of the family, took part. As for the legs of mutton, it must be said that on such occasions they are very recherche by the Turks, who attribute to them hygienic and eX- ceptional qualities. The fete 0f the legs of mutton (patclza/z-guz'unu) is the counterpart of the fete given on the eve of the marriage. By the former the girl made her adieus to the compan- ions of her childhood: by this one she is introduced of- ficially t0 the society of matrons. REMARKS 0N AISHEH’S flLiRRIAGE. 255 CHAPTER XXVHI. Remm’ks 0n Aisheh’s Marriaga—Atshch’s Sorrowsr—I rejoin my Daughter.—— Crisis in the Harem—Atsheh’s Flight. THE account I have just given of the fétes which took place to celebrate the marriage of my daughter suggests to the mind reflections which can only sadden my heart. How can persons who have taken upon themselves the grave responsibility 'of insuring the future of an inno- cent creature make her contract an alliance in which every thing conspires toward discord and unhappiness? N evertheless, to render the farce complete, they do not hesitate to fete with all possible pomp and ceremony the sacrifice of their Victim! While they purposely neglect every thing really necessary to make her a worthy wife, they throw away handfuls of gold and diamonds in order to dazzle theeyes of the crowd with puerile and fan- tastic ceremonies. And in fact this marriage was only a derisive fic- tion, an atrocious deed. By this marriage nothing was changed in my daughter’s position, who continued to re- main dependent on her father and mother-in-law. The husband they had given her was only used as an inter- mediary to keep up this servitude; in other words, this husband was nothing but a sham, who had neither posi- tion, fortune, or personal charms of which he might boast; his only value consisted in his falling in with all the designs and inspirations of those who employed him as their alter-ego. It is generally understood that the 256 TIIIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAZEEJI. woman plays an important part in the matrimonial state; in this case, however, the unhappy Aisheh was consider- ed of no account in the matter; she was simply to serve the interests and good pleasure of those who had her fate at their disposal. A marionette has but one string by which it is put in motion; my daughter, on her entry into conjugal life, found herself influenced by three separate sources of motion; the string of one of the sources was in the hands of the Pasha; the second was in the hands of the mother-in-law, and the third was held by the husband. It was not necessary to possess any extraordinary amount of foresight to prophesy the downfall of an edifice which rested on a foundation as little firm as that on which the establishment of my daughter was based. From the earliest period of her married life she found herself placed at the mercy of the capriees of a mother- in-law, who pretended to dictate her conduct in every point. The constant grumblings and eomplaintsiwhieh arose from these eaprices left the unhappy bride a prey to continual Changing and mischievous impulses; Tossed about by conflicting interests, placed in the’midst of in— trigues and plots of all kinds, she no longer knew what to say or what to do. Continually exposed to discomforts and the most wearying annoyances,A'1‘sheh made desperate efforts to set herself free, and to place herself on a level with wom- en of her position in life. But all her endeavors proved useless, for both husband and mother-in-law were there to stop the road, using paternal authority as their weap- on. Had this authority been employed sparingly, A'i'sheh would have yielded, for she loved her father, and noth- AISHEH’S SORROW. 257 ing in the world would have induced her to displease him. Meantime this continual struggle, which went on be- tween the woman who wished to secure her just rights and those persons who desired to impose their authority upon her, at length resulted in a crisis, which took place in the following manner: Aisheh, seeing herself at the mercy and subject to the eaprices of every one, began, in her despair, to consider how she could obtain her. deliverance, and from whom she could hope to receive aid and protection. To count upon her father was useless, for he himself, being a, pris- oner in the hands of Ferideh and of her numerous rela- tives and adherents, was in no state to offer any succor to his daughter; it was, in fact, from him that most was to be feared, for the wily Ferideh did with him what she chose. My unhappy daughter, being thus deprived of {111 hope7 naturally turned her eyes elsewhere. But whither could she look, when she was in the last agony of de- spztir7 but to her mother?——a mother who, as she well know, had tenderly loved her; and from whom she had been by a cruel destiny separated. ' “I am despised, trodden in the dust, tyrannized over, and no one will protect me! Where is my mother?” Something of this kind must A'l'sheh have said in the midst of her tribulations. The mere name “mother” must, in her moments of desperation, have appeared to he the one plank to which she could cling for safety from shipwreck in that stormy sea in which she was being tossed; and having once uttered the name of mother, my child’s memory would naturally turn to the 258 TIIIRT Y YEARS IN THE IIAREJI. happy days of her early childhood, when she was the object of constant tenderness and caresses; her mother’s image must have appeared like a living reality before her eyes, and with sobs and tears she must have recalled the bitter consequences of our separation. “ Where are you, mother, where are you? Shall I in my life ever see you again ‘2” - It is easy to conceive that, when her thoughts had for some time taken this direction, the poor child would have her eyes opened to the state of cruel and deceitful usage to which she had hitherto been subjected. In uttering those words, “ Shall I ever see her again ‘2” Aisheh conceived a doubt of the truth of what had been told her respecting my death. The enmity and ill-will showed to her by her mother-in-law had naturally filled her with distrust, and this distrust instigated her now to make inquiries. The experience of the past having taught her that she should not believe one word'in a hundred of those that were spoken to her, it was only natural that she should say to herself, “They tell me that my mother is dead; have they not deceived me in this also ‘3” When this suspicion had once entered Aisheh’s mind, she could not rest until she had caused inquiries to be made, in order to satisfy herself whether I was really dead, and to discover traces of me if I was alive. The person to whom she applied to carry out this delicate mission was a woman who had long been in her confi- dence. But how great was her surprise when she heard this good creature announce to her with a timid voice, “ Your mother is still living, my child.” These words made Aisheh’s heart bound with a mad I REJOIN JIIY DA UGIITER. 259 joy, whi'ch her ardent and affectionate temperament could not control. Her first excited emotion had scarce- ]y passed before she had entreated this woman to com- mence her search for me at once, to find out my abode, and to place her in communication with me. The wom- an did, in fact, seek me in my place of retreat. She communicated to me my daughter’s message, and gave me a detailed statement of her position. At the same time the messenger brought me an invitation from my child, who was awaiting me in a retired part of her park, for she felt she could no longer live without seeing me. The meeting which took place between my daughter and myself in a sequestered portion of the park, situated behind the residence of his highness, is one of those scenes which it is impossible for me to describe. rI‘he emotion which I felt on embracing my child after so many years made me quite beside myself. Theraccount which my daughter then gave me of her own sufferings tearly broke my heart. Nevertheless I considered it my duty to try to soothe the irritated condition she was in, by showing her what the consequences would be if she were to oppose the will of those on whom her future prospects depended. These counsels which I gave my daughter were the counsels of a mother Who has at her heart the happiness of her Child. Unfortunately, these counsels came too late, and .when the alarm had already been given to those Who wished ’for our destruction. Having been informed of what had passed between my daughter and myself, Ferideh and her accomplices suspected that a se- cret understanding would take place between the daugh- 260 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. ter-in-law and their rival. The fear of this made them alter their tactics. Up to this time these people had nourished the hope that, by giving Aisheh to their Shevket, they secured for themselves in a lump the inheritance of Kibrizli-Me- hemet-Pasha’s property. But sudden] y they discovered they were brought face to face with obstacles whose pos- sibility they had not foreseen even, and which were the ever-inereasing resistance made by A'i‘sheh and also her renewed acquaintance with myself. Thus, believing their project would get noised abroad—that project whose realization had cost them so many intrigues and troubles —Ferideh and her relations said to themselves: “ In appropriating for ourselves the fortune, we should have been willing to spare A'i'sheh; but since she will not have any thing to do with us, well, she also must be sacrificed.” From that very day sentence of death was passed on A'i'sheh 1 With implacable hatred, Ferideh and her associates then began to persecute the poor girl by displaying a re- fined and subtle art. Coneealing themselves from View, these people employed agents of different kinds, so as to compromise Aisheh before her father, while they secret] y excited the fierce anger of the latter. These designs did not fail to meet with the results which they expected. Profiting by the inexperience and want of tact of the young wife, her enemies circulated all sorts of rumors about her, and sought to put her in a false position with her father. His mind having been poisoned and excited by all kinds of evil reports, violent quarrels followed, in the midst of which the Pasha’s anger blinded his good 0151515 IN THE 1141313115 261 sense. On one occasion things went so far, that he, in a passion, seized his daughter and struck her several times. This most deplorable incident was caused by a rumor whieh attributed to Aisheh the design of escaping and coming to me. The rumor having taken a firm hold, the Pasha declared that, to prevent such a catastrophe, he would not hesitate to bind his daughter to a tree and have her beaten till she died. “I would far rather mourn her death for forty days than live dishonored for the remainder of my life.” Such were the words which, in a moment of rage, they say, escaped from his mouth. Whether these words really came from the Pasha is a point on which there are some doubts; but Whichever way it may be, whether the Pasha'pronounced such a threat or not, the fact is that the unfortunate girl was terrified, and fancied herself on the eve of a bloody catas- trophe. Seeing herself, as it were, between life or death7 Aisheh decided on finding a refuge by flight. Gaining, from her despair and delirium, almost supernatural strength, she did not hesitate to risk every thing sooner than fall beneath the blows of her enemies. . The Violent emotion, the fear, the panic which seized on Aisheh, caused her terrors, to which the silence of the night gave more strength and intensity. Her bewilder- ed imagination made her think of her end as inevitable, amidst tortures and cruel sufferings. But if, on the one hand, her excited imagination disordered her reason, on the other she could not be deluded as to the instigations of her enemies, who wished to provoke acts of violence, whose consequences would be fatal to her and her father. These instigators had nothing to lose by such a catastro- 262 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. phe; by these means the whole heritage of Aisheh must fall Wholly into their hands. They did not care how much misery befell either the daughter or the father. At first they had sought to appropriate the daughter and her large fortune by means of a farce of marriage; now they wished to attain the same aim by sacrificing her, Who would not do as they wished. Those terrible words, “If she died, I should mourn her loss, but at least I should not be dishonored,” made Aisheh believe that it was only by flight she could pre- vent a catastrophe whose consequences would have been terrible for her and her father. Having thus determined on seeking for her safety in flight, my daughter decided on her plan of evasion, a plan in the execution of which she met with every description of dangers. First, she had to decide on the easiest method of escape; then she had to think of some way in which to deceive the Vigi- lance of the guardians and slaves of the harem. In order to deceive the latter, Aisheh resolved to flee toward the dawn of the day, for at this time every one is sound asleep, and none were spying out her movements; besides, the darkness was also favorable to her after she had made her escape, while she was wandering about the neighborhood. An attractive young woman, and bear- ing the stamp and the manners of a lady of consequence, would naturally have attracted the notice of the senti- nels and patrols who wandered about during the twi- light. As the easiest place from which to make her escape, Aisheh chose a window Opening on to the roof of a wing of the harem, Where the eunuehs and the guardian lived; this roof ended in a boundary wall, which one could get AISHEH ’s FLIGHT. 263 over by means of a somewhat difficult jump. The height of this wall was about fifteen feet. Toward four in the morning Aisheh arose quietly, avoiding the least sound, gave a last kiss to the child she was abandoning, took the few diamonds she possessed, and climbed unperoeived on to the roof. Once on the wall, she did not hesitate, but sprang into the road, without considering the risk she ran of being lamed for life. Fortunately the jump succeeded wonderfully well, and Aisheh, finding herself free, began to run in the di- rection of the Eau Donees (gheuk-su). \Vhen she pass- ed through this smiling plain the first glimmer of dawn was making its appearance, and. the song of the birds announced the awakening of nature. 011 the other side of the plain was a bark, which served to maintain oom- mnnieation with the Village of Anadolu-Hissar. It was on this bark that Aisheh traversed the small river of the Ean Donees d’Asie, and it was by the little door, with its iron chains, that she managed to penetrate into the in- terior of the 01d chateau. In this Village lived one of his highness’s slaves, who had been married to one of the Villagers. Aisheh, not knowing to whom to turn or how to procure a bark, decided on going to her, and implor- ing her help and suceor. She went straight to the house of the slave, and, after having knocked at her door several times, succeeded in making her jump, halfifrightened, out of bed. One can imagine what an impression the sudden apparition of her master’s daughter, at such an early hour, made on the slave; also her pitiable condition, without servants or slaves. Her face even was in a fearful condition7 for 26$ THIRTY YEARS IN THE JIAREJI. Aisheh, after having jumped from the wall, had rubbed mud and dust over her face. This excessive precaution she had considered necessary, so as not to attract the at- tention of any one. Once informed of the details of this adventure, the slave and her husband believed it their duty to counsel the fugitive, by making her understand the gravity of the step she had taken. Seeing, however, that their words were of no avail, and also that the time for advice was passed forever, husband and wife offered their serv- ices to the unfortunate gi1‘1,and put her into a bark which was going down the Bosporus. Owing to the strength of the current, the distance between Anadolu- Hissai‘ and Stamboul does not take veryrlong: in about three-quarters of an hour one can accomplish this voy- age and arrive at Un-kapan, the nearest port for those who wish to visit the centre of Stamboul. It was toward this port that Aisheh turned, for she counted on going on from thence to Balat, where she knew I lived when I was in the town. In fact, when she disembarked, she got into one of those carriages called in the country couicizz', and told the driver to take her quickly to Balat. That also was the only thing she could say, for she was ignorant of my address, and in her precipitate flight she had not been able to learn it. Evidently her mind was so unsettled that she had never given a thought to the danger she was running in throwing herself into the streets without knowing quite where to go, or to whom to address her- self. While A'i'sheh, seated in her carriage, was wander- ing about the streets of Stamboul, a strange coincidence occurred which led her to the door of the house where I was staying. This was such an extraordinary event, that AISHEH ’5 FLIGHT. 265 it can not be accounted for in any other way than as a striking instance of Divine assistance. Now it happened that ha1clly had they pe1eeived in his highness’ s harem the flight of the daughter, than the alarm was given, so that the fugitive might be found and brought back to the bosom of her family. Not only were numerous police agents put on her traces, but Shevket, the husband, at the head of valets and house servants, set off in pursuit of her whom he was pleased to call his rebellious wife. Provided with peremptory orders, all these people be- gan to rush about the town and its suburbs, searching every place where they thought it likely their master’s (laughter might be concealed. My house was naturally the first to be Visited by these zealous emissaries, for they knew well that in her misfortune Aisheh would not have implored other protection than that of her mother. . In fact, Mustapha, the valet ole chambre of his highness, accompanied by two or three other individuals, presented themselves at my door and questioned me on the subject of my daughter. As may well be imagined, the unex- pected apparition of all these people, and the news they brought, caused me great uneasiness. Being in complete ignorance of what was going on in the house of the Pa- sha, I did not know how to account for this unexpected event ' “How did it happen? For Heaven’s sake, tell me what my poor daughter will do 1” Such were the exelamations with which I replied to the search made by Mustapha and his eompanions—-ex- elamations which made‘them perceive that they must go. 12 266 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJI. elsewhere to fulfill the mission with which they had been charged. Mustapha having seen that my daughter was not there, sent away those who accompanied him, giving them instructions to pursue their researches elsewhere, and himself went toward the port and the most frequent- ed portion of the town, hoping to learn, by so doing7 if any of the others had succeeded in hearing any thing about the fugitive. But while he was walking toward the sea, he saw a closed carriage approaching, from the interior of which a voice proceeded who called “Mustapha! Mustapha!” There could be no doubt; the voice was certainly that of Aisheh, who signed to him to draw near, and then begged him to lead her to my abode. Nothing could have been more imprudent than this step, taken in such a critical moment by Aisheh. It is true that, not knowing how to find me out, she was con- strained to take this means, and to show herself to Mus- tapha; but, in doing so7 she played a hazardous game, on Which her fate depended. W'hat guaranty had she that the valet dc cizambre, on perceiving her, would not employ force to reconduct her to her stepmother. Aisheh, how- ever, did not act on this occasion without discretion, for she well knew with whom she had to deal, and she was sure that Mustapha would never betray her. In fact, Mustapha was the only man in the house of his highness who was attached to our cause after my fall. In my time he had been my valet (Ze chambre, and the kindness which I had shown him had made him remem- ber me well. But independently of these bonds which attached him to our cause, other reasons prevented him AISHEH ’S FLIGHT. 267 from lending himself as a servile instrument to the de- signs of people who were capable of every thing. These were his honesty and chivalrous sentiments. For nothing in the world would the brave man have consented to be- tray a woman, the daughter of his late mistress, who im- plored his succor at such a moment. The worthy Mus- tapha, on seeing the unfortunate girl in such a condition, turned to the driver and told him to go to my dwelling. He began to follow the carriage, and reached the door at the same time as Aisheh; once there, he turned and hastened to inform the Pasha of what had taken place. This act of kindness cost Mustapha his situation. As soon as it was known in the harem how the meeting had taken place between him and Ai‘sheh, the 01d servant was treated as a traitor, and told to leave immediately. According to them, Mustapha ought to have seized the girl with the help of the police, and given her over, bound hand and foot, to those on whom her fate de- pended. 268 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJII. CHAPTER XXIX. Consequences of A’isiwh’s Flight. —I77t7 797763 of F67 ideh. —Pol7'c3/ 0f derz'zli. ——Mc777037wres 0f Sheeket. ——0277 Flight f7 0777 18710777625.— D7707 66 of 747877677. As may well be believed, the news of the flight of Kibrizli-Pasha’s daughter soon spread, and produced great sensation among the Mussuiman world. Every body talked about it, and the strangest versions were said to be authentic. Our enemies did not hesitate to seize 011 this occasion to circulate the most scandalous tales 011 the subject of my daughter and myself. But the Pasha’s friends and ours expressed their regrets 011 the subject of these pitiable scenes, which rendered the incompetence of his highness in his private affairs so visible. Among these colleagues of the minister, there was not one voice which was not raised in blame against the 001i— duet 0f Kibrizli, who permitted family quarrels to attain the proportions of a public scandal. Fuad-Pasha and Aii-Pasha, who were his rivals, found these tales and scandals very useful in darkening Kibrizii’s reputation, and making him lose the prestige and moral force which rendei ed him redoubtable. From the mannei in which the public regarded my daughters flight and party feeling theie iesulted a state of things which weie favorable to the inteiests 0f Aisheh, and which sawed her from the hands of her enemies. In Turkey, as in every other country where the arbi- CONSEQ UENC’ES OF AISHEH ’ S FLIGHT. 2 69 trator takes the place of the law, society is at the mercy of the abuse of might. In such countries every thing is permitted to those who have power. The divine law7 public opinion, all are nil; the only recognized law is the eaprioe of those who govern. , My daughter’s flight, according to the Koran, was a perfectly legal act; for by that a married woman can not be compelled to live in the society of other women with whom she refuses to associate. The woman in such a case has the right to demand of her husband a separate dwelling, and she can forbid the entry into it to any one. Further, the woman recognizes no other authority than that of her husband; she can renounce her father, moth- ' er, and certainly, therefore, her mother-in-law. On escaping from the paternal roof, A'Isheh had only protested against the oppressive authority imposed on her , by her mother-in-law7 who made use by turns of her hus- band’s or father’s name to enforce it. This protest gave her the right to be installed by her husband in a house to herself, where she would be allowed to do as she liked independently of her mother-inllaw. But in insisting on that, Aisheh put herself in open hostility ‘with her father’s wife, who would not relinquish the power she possessed over her; for she knew that, once removed from her sight, Aisheh wonld frequent whom she liked, and naturally with me, her own mother. It was just this that the malicious Ferideh wished at any price to pre- vent, by instigating Aisheh’s husband to make an abuse of the paternal authority. The motives of Ferideh’s hostility against any arrange- ment which would have rendered Aisheh mistress of her- self and household, are of such a description that they 270 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. merit being disclosed. Such a revelation is all the more necessary since it serves to reveal the secrets of family life in the East. All Ferideh’s reasons and motives arose from the in- stinct of her own preservation; that of covetousness was only secondary. It was the instinct of preservation which made her fear a separation from her daughter-in- law; for, according to her ideas, this separation could only be the prelude to her loss. Ferideh foresaw that combined action on our part would have for result the estrangement of her husband, and her expulsion from the home into which she had succeeded in insinuating herself. Her fears were only too well founded on this point. In fact, it was plain that Aisheh once established, it would become impossible for her father and mother not to meet some time or other. Thus the daughter’s house would have been transformed by force of circumstances into a species of rendezvous, where her rival and her husband would be able to meet and indulge in affection- ate téZe-d-tétes. The bare idea of these meetings was enough to make Ferideh tremble with jealousy. One such was enough to give her the coup de grace, for as the divorce between his highness and myself was of the first degree, it only needed a simple encounter of a few seconds to renew the marriage and do away with Ferideh. Divorce with the Turks is, as I have just said, of three sorts; the first degree of divorce is the weakest, for the husband who wishes to do away with it has only to re- cite a formula, and pass his hand over his wife’s head, to render the marriage valid again. The second and third INTRIG UES 0F FERIDEH. 2 7 1 degrees of divorce demand special formalities and cere- monies in order to renew the marriage. I must also add that the first degree of divorce may suddenly become ir- revocable. This happens when the husband showers upon the wife a battery of three combined divorces, which he rapidly discharges upon the woman’s head; then it becomes very difficult to renew the matrimonial bond. The divorce by which I had been separated from his highness was not of this dreadful description, stigmatized by the Koran under the name of lelalcz‘salzlsseh; it was a simple divorce, which a spark would have sufficed to re- kindle. And this is explained by the fact that this divorce was not actuated by internal disputes, but by the wiles of those who Wished to destroy me at any cost. In other words, the Sultan’s mother, her eunuehs and serv- ants, with my husband’s political enemies, fell upon and obliged the Pasha to separate from me. The Pasha, overruled by his enemies, made the sacrifice demanded of him; but this divorce was only a mere formality, his sentiments really remaining unchanged toward me. Ferideh, who had nominally taken my p1aee,eou1d not deceive herself on this point. Her tranquillity and happiness depended on keeping A'1‘sheh to herself. Al'- sheh’s flight was, therefore, a mortal stroke to her, which she sought to parry on all sides, even by means of brute force. Happily for us, but unfortunately for Ferideh, the employment of strength was out of the question, for an essay of that description would have had sorry conse- quences for her and her husband. The Pasha was not in full possession of power, and that suffices to explain the moderation which he had to show under these circumstances. 272 THIRTY YEARS LV THE HAREM. Fuad and Ali-Pasha had the real direction of afi’airs. Kibrizli at this epoch was a minister without a portfolio, an unenviable position, which only left him a very lim- ited influence. Independently of that, the relations be- tween these high personages bore a certain stamp of coldness and bitterness, for Kibrizlifiwas far from wishing Fuad and Ali overmueh happiness, and the latter well knew he considered them as rivals. Such being the relative relations of the parties, it is not difficult to understand that any illegal attempt or false step would have seriously compromised the posi- tion and reputation of Kibrizli-Pasha and his associates. His political adversaries would have been enchanted to find an. opportunity of compromising and paralyzing him forever. They would have fallen upon him, mak- ing use ofhis wives’ quarrels and family scandals. They would not have hesitated to say that the Mussulman so- ciety was tired of the endless gossip and squabbles which were taking place in Kibrizli-Pasha’s house. The strength of circumstances, thefefore, obliged the enemies of A'i'sheh to set to work softly and with cir- eumspection. Every coercive measure being out of the question, they decided on winning over the rebel by ruses and wiles. The first measure which Ferideh and the Pasha thought fit to adopt was that of entering into conversation with us, to try and find out our designs, to know whether they were to look upon my daughter’s flight as a protest against her father or husband’s au- thority. In other words, they wished to find out wheth- er my daughter had decided on. getting rid of her make- believe husband, Shevket. This point once clearly de- fined7 they would have decided on the part they wanted V flL—lNOE' UVRES 0F SIIE VKET. 2 7 3 to take; for if Aisheh appeared to desire to live under the matrimonial yoke, Shevket would then have served as spy to watch over Ferideh’s interests; if, on the con- trary,A'1'sheh wanted to break off with her husband, they could have pursued her by bringing forth the con- jugal rights invested in the son. From the second day of A'l'sheh’s flight negotiations ‘were set on foot. Emissaries of the Pasha presented themselves to us in the hope of obtaining a categorical answer on the subject of her husband, and to assure themselves whether my daughter was disposed to sub- mit to his authority. Having received a satisfactory an- swer to this cardinal question, the negotiators took a farther step, and invited Aisheh to Hadji-Bekir’s house, where her husband would rejoin her. This proposition gave us some cause for reflection—-—a refusal would have hastened the crisis, while by accept- ing it we should have placed ourselves completely in the power of our adversaries. Situated in such a dilemma, I did not hesitate to accept a proposition which could not compromise materially my daughter’s interests. I therefore informed the envoys that my daughter would go to the rendezvous which had been agreed upon to meet her husband. This having put an end to the ne- gotiations, the emissaries joyfully returned to their mas- ter, being the bearers of what they believed to be good ' news. / But hardly had they left than I hastened to enter into a treaty with the ministry, to inform them of the state of things, and solicit their protection. Evidently, by en— tering the house of one of the Pasha’s domestics we were risking our lives; it was as though we had put our hands 129x" 2‘74 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. bound in those of our enemies. It will, therefore, be understood that these precautionary measures were not altogether superfluous. My overtures were received with kindness by Fuad, who assured me that we were under his protection. This assurance was followed up by secret instructions sent to the head of the police de- partment, ordering us to be guarantied against any at- tempt which might be made to take us away from Had- ji-Bekir’s house. Having thus done all that he could to prevent us fall- ing into the snares of our enemies, we went to Hadji- Bekir’s house, where we found Shevket, who was im- patiently waiting for us. After having exchanged a few words, Shevket told us he was the first to regret What had recently occurred, and that in spite of his mother he had resolved on living apart with his wife. Further, he informed us that his highness, ceding to his wishes, had authorized him to choose a house and fur- nish it in a manner worthy of his daughter. The Pasha, continued Shevket, was resigned to such a sacrifice in the hope that his daughter would understand how much he desired her happiness, and that she should live con- tinuously With her husband. Then, turning toward me, he said affectionately that he could not permit me, his mother—in-law, to live anywhere but with my daughter. From the next day, in fact, all the necessary measures were taken to find a convenient house, and decide on the necessary furniture required for it. The house on which Shevket’s choice fell was one opening on to Shekh- Zadeh’s mosque: its position offered certain strategical advantages; one, for example, being that it was surround- ed by the friends and abettors of Shevket and his moth- MANCEUVRES 0F SHE’VKET. 27 5 er; another, equally great, was that on the side of the mosque it was easy to attempt a master-stroke-a forci- ble abduction. By scaling the house on the court side during the night it would be easy to carry off any num- ber of women, without the neighbors on the right or left being at all the wiser. Pleased at having found such a house, Shevket has- tened to finish furnishing it. Every thing having been arranged, he invited Aisheh to install herself in the new residence which her father had provided. This new household, as may be seen, was only a clever device by Which they could better destroy their adver- sary: we were not once deceived about it. An arrange- ment situated on such a volcano had 110 chance of last ing long; each side understood the intentions of the oth- er, and yet feigned ignmanee. \Ve each held the tin- der in our hands, fearing to set fire to the mine; as for myself, I did not dare to hasten a separation whose re- sponsibility would fall on myself. From the first days of our 1esidenee at Shelih- Zadeh- Bashi, Shevket alte1ed his manner, and became cold and distant; his prayers were changed into peremptory com~ mands; nothing pleased him; and the slightest incident was enough to cause altercation and disagreement. One week was enough to disgust Shevket, and make him hasten his designs. In fact, on the eighth day, the first act of the master- stroke was disclosed beneath the form of a supreme de- cree, in Virtue of which the entry to the harem was for- bidden to all who were not possessed of a previous au- thorization. At the same time he adopted this meas- ure, Shevket provided himself with a reinforcement to 276 TIIIRTY YEARS IN THE EIREII. aid him at the given moment. This reinforcement con- sisted of an overseer, ‘Hadji-Ibrahim, and of five or six individuals, sbires and bandits7 used by the Pashas to do any decisive deed. But the most dreadful of all these preparations was the attempt made by Shevket to imprison us by closing all the issues which might have favored our flight. There was one small door which served to afford com- munication between the harem kitchen and the stables. Shevket understood that it was an important point which must be guarded at any risk. He therefore ordered some masons to come and close it up, and raise in its place a small wail. After having made the personal in- spection of these places, Shevket went away, enjoining his people to keep in readiness for the evening. He was much deceived, however, in his calculations, for he might have known that some women have more perspicuity than men give them credit for. In fact, since I had put my foot inside the prison which had been prepared for us, I had never once been deceived on the subject of Shevket’s intentions. I instinctively knew that we were living on a volcano, as it were, on the bosom of which violent eruptions might be expected. Thus, during these seven days of worry, I was continu- ally 0n the gut m've, ready, like a sentry7 to seize on the slightest sound or index. The lucky star which presided over my birth so ar- ranged, that the very day when the masons began to dig the foundations of the walls I went down to the kitchen to see what was going on. Hardly had I been there for a few seconds than the sound of workmen struck my car. Having‘been informed of what they were doing, 0 UR FLIGHT 17130171 SHEVKET. 277 it only needed a few minutes’ reflection for me to see through Shevket’s designs, and decide on what measure to take in order to upset them. Evidently the only thing was to escape before the iron circle closed in on us. With a heavy and beating heart I ran to my daughter, told her what I had seen, and declared that there was- no time to be lost, for if we waited till the evening we certainly should be done for. VVhereupon my daughter and myself set to work to collect every thing we could in the way of silver or- jewels. We made it up into large packets, and we filled Our pockets with every thing that could be carried conveniently. I must here observe that the feradjehs (mantles Worn by Turkish women) are very useful for such purposes; for, when wrapped in one of these mantles, it is easy to conceal a quantity of merchandise. This was what my daughter and myself took care to do on this occasion. We well knew that every thing would be taken from us, and that it was folly to leave Shevket what we could adroitly conceal. Besides, both legally and morally, we had more right than he had to consider every thing in the house as belonging to ourselves. Once these preliminary measures taken, I had to have recourse to some cunning in order to disarm any suspi- cions among the slaves of the harem. .AS I could not conceal our clandestine sortie by the small door, I said that as we had no money in the house we had decided on selling some of our things, and that with the results we should buy what we most needed. In order the bet- ter to conceal my game, I promised them each beautiful silks and pretty presents. These promises did not fail to take effect, for the slaves entered into our designs, and 2'78 THIRTY YEARS LV THE HAREAM helped us in our flight and in getting out of the little door. \Vhile all these events were passing in the harem, our guardians were outside smoking and chatting. Hadji- Ibrahim, their chief, amused himself by giving instruc- tions to his subordinates on the way in which they were to watch over us. He had been heard to say— “ Our master is resolved to make those people behave.” On leaving the house, my daughter and myself got into a carriage and went straight to one of the court ladies, who was a friend of ours, and she put her house at our disposal. Once in safety, we hastened to send a message to Shevket, in which my daughter declared that she no longer consented to live with him, for she was tired of him, his mother, and their intrigues. This move on her part was the result of the convic- tion she felt that in their midst she should vainly search for tranquillity or happiness. Several years of experi- ence only confirmed her in this conviction. Toward evening Shevket returned to the house, the bearer of fresh instructions which his mother and the Pasha had given him in the conference he had held with them during the day. But barely had he entered than our messenger, Ressim-Bey, approached and informed him of the letter of which he was the bearer. This an- nouncement quite overcame Shevket; he was thunder- struck; for if, on the one hand, he resented the humilia- tion of the role which had been imposed on him, on the other he trembled at seeing himself forever compromised in the eyes of his mother and of the Pasha. Shevket was the pulley by which they sought to keep my child under their control, and that explains all the DIVOR OE 0F AISHEH. 279 importance they attached to him. Unfortunately, Shev- ket did not sustain the attack with that courage which rriight have been expected from him; for, on learning his wife’s flight, he lost every vestige of the sang-froid for which he had been famed. Furious at finding him- self so humiliated and debased, Shevket sought to forget in drunkenness the insult which had been offered to him. Turning to his servants, he bade them bring arraek, and the accessories which charm the drinkers of this Chosen beverage. Then, surrounded by his boon com- panions, Shevket got so drunk that he lost every senti- ment of honor, and the respect he owed to himself and the daughter of his benefactor. It was in the midst of this orgie that Shevket pronounced the formula of divorce according to the Mussulman law—Sizart olszm. Barely were the words uttered than emissaries were sent to inform both ourselves and his highness. This news was the very best we could have had, while in the Pasha’s palace and the harem it caused sorrow and con- sternation. Shevket was disgraced, for neither his moth- er nor the Pasha could forgive his having betrayed their interests. 280 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. CHAPTER XXX. Eforts 0f Shevket.— 007Wscationr—Lawsuit.—Mahmud Bey.——P7‘o- traded Hostilitt‘ee—M’g/ View of the Casa—A‘iskeh’s Sentiments. THE first excitement produced by the news that Al'- sheh was at last free having been appeased, agents were immediately sent in the hope of regaining the ground lost, and enticing A'l'sheh once again. These agents were the bearers of propositions and counter-proposi- tions whose aims were to renew the marriage. They sought to touch my daughter’s heart by relating the ag- ony and distress felt by Shevket when, on coming to his senses, he understood the harm he had done. He was inconsolable, and his repentance was sincere and in ear- nest, they said. For the future he was determined to al- low his wife to do as she pleased, and neither his mother nor the Pasha should meddle in their affairs. AS may be well imagined, after what we had sufi’ered from the hands of our adversaries, such proposals and words were far from touching us in the least. The only reply vouohsafed to these envoys was a decided refusal to pay any attention to the proposals, menaces7 or prom- ises of Shevket and his associates. This ultimatum was the signal for the commencement of hostilities, which continued during a period of seven years. This new miniature seven years’ war only terminated with the death of his highness, the 9th September, 1871. The first thing done on receiving A'l'sheh’s refusal to accept for the second time a husband she never cared OONFIS 0A TION. I 2 8 1 for, was to empty Shekh-Zadeh’s house of all the furni- ture Which had been given to her. Two days after the divorce had taken place, a crowd of domestics were sent to empty the house of every thing7 even the clothes and linen belonging to the unfortunate Aisheh. To render this cruel not still more insulting, they took care to send her a few old dresses shut up in an old broken box. I must here observe that this dastardly act of ven- geance was further a Violation of the law and establish- ed customs. According to Mussulman law and Turkish usages, the effects and furniture given to a girl at the time of her marriage bec0me her inalienable property. NOW, at the period of Aisheh’s marriage, only half her trousseau had been given her. The Pasha, on furnish- ing her house, had only acted as he ought to have done before. So every thing employed in furnishing the house he- ]onged by rights to his highness’s child, and even he had no right to seize upon it. Aooording to the Mussulman law, this act was equivalent to a confiscation. But it did not only end With Aisheh’s furniture and clothes, for her money underwent the same treatment. My daugh- ter had some time before bought a large farm in the neighborhood of Aleppo; this property belonged to her in her name, and the title-deeds Were in the hands of Shevket, Who kept them. Eminenteconomists like Stuart Mill have brought forward a theory, according to which it appears that women’s rights are better established under the Mussul~ man than under the European law. “Then one consid- ers that, according to the law of the Sheriaht, a woman is not for a moment sure of What she likes best in the 282 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJI. world, her husband and children, of what use to her are the few possessions she may have? But if from the written law we turn to the living one, from theory to practice, it is there one sees of what little use for the woman are her pretended rights. The confiscation of goods made by Kibrizli-Pasha and Shevket was one of those deeds carried out every day by those who feel powerful enough to execute them. Now, where are women’s rights among this fight between the strong and the weak? ‘ My daughter having» failed in her attempt to regain possession of her furniture, there was nothing left for us to do but to settle at our own cost somewhere. \Ve sold our valuables and jewels, and the few thousand pounds they realized permitted us to face the expenses of re~ settling and leaving a little reserve. I must here say that this sort of arrangement did not receive my approbation, for the initiative in money af- fairs remained entirely with my daughter. Prudence, therefore, recommended the strictest economy, for the clouds were dark and the tempest imminent. My daughter did not believe in a storm, and she hoped still that her father would relent and furnish her with the means of subsistence. Truly one might have said that the mother’s experience ought to have dissipated the daughter’s illusions, but, unfortunately, a feeling of deli- cacy prevented my taking the law into my own hands. I did not wish her or any one else to reproach me with having profited by the abandoned position of my child in compelling her to submit to my will in money matters. The house we hired in the suburbs of Seutari for the summer of 1864 was a beautiful residence, admirably LA WSUIT. 283 situated, offering the advantages of a charming view over the Bosporus, and a garden full of orange and lem- on trees. Our existence in the midst of this beautiful scenery ought to have been very pleasant; but the charms of the country were spoiled by the ceaseless worry caused us by our adversaries. Our door was lit- erally besieged by emissaries, men as well as women, sent in the hope of preventing us feeling a moment’s re- pose. Now it was the Pasha, who sent to find out some means of bringing us under his domination; now the eX-husband Shevket, who sent women to plague us; then agents, who came to spy upon us 011 the part of the tribunal, and to annoy us in every way. The lawsuit we were obliged to bring against Shev- ket .in order to reclaim the property and marriage-por- tion of Aisheh was our principal occupation during our stay at Seutari. A'i'sheh could not obtain any of her goods 01' property, for the eadi or judge told her openly that he was not powerful enough to compel her husband to give up what he had taken. As for her marriage- portion, no obstacle was raised to oblige her husband to refund the sum he owed; yet, when the question of pay- ing the nafakah, or the husband’s marriage present, came, Shevket turned Jew, and the tribunal helped him to play this part. The nafakah, or its equivalent in money, is what the husband ought to give for his wife’s maintenance dur- ing the three months following after the divorce. The amount which the husband ought to give his wife is agreed on by the tribunal, which takes into considera- tion the social position and means of the parties coni- cerned, as well as the price Of food, and such primary 284 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. matters. “There the lower classes are concerned, the divorced woman is only allowed for nafakah two or three piastres a day. There are often even people Who refuse to give as much to their wives, under the pretext that their means do not allow them to be extravagant; then they merely give them bread and a candle a day. In such cases they take care to leave the candle and bread before the woman’s door, by which means they escape all legal pursuit. Among the middle classes the husbands allow their wives something like two or three hundred francs a month; while in the higher classes it is generally agreed upon to give either a good round sum or nothing at all. We came to a compromise of this sort with Shevket; he never attempted to give a farthing, and we never men- tioned the nafakah. With autumn the charms of the country begin .to de- part, and the approach of Winter is the signal for the flight of those who like the luxuries of Stamboul. At the close of the season we hastened, therefore, to re-enter the town, and for this purpose hired a house in the part of Stamboul called Jussuf-Pasha. This house was large and spacious, but time and poverty had reduced it to the condition. of a dilapidated palace. Formerly it had be- longed to a grand vizier, Selim-Mehemet-Pasha, who, having been sent to quell the revolt at Damas, was killed by the insurgents. This Selim was the same who had been famous for the carnage he had made among the Janizaries7 in company with Agha-Hussein 0f Viddin and Kara-Djehenem. Selim had escaped the reign of terror at the time of his vizierate, but at Damas he had to pay his debt to the revolted population. 311012 T-LI VED NOBILIT Y. 285 These events happened in 1824. Before his departure for Damas, Selim had built the house we had hired. He did not neglect any thing which might render this resi- dence worthy of a grand vizier: large halls and kiosques, grotesquely ornamented7 marble baths—in fact, nothing was omitted which could please his family in the com- forts and luxuries of Oriental life. At his death all this disappeared as if by magic. Selirn’s riches, honors, and property were divided among his friends and attendants; as for his heirs, they only got what the others could not take from them, which was their father’s house and a small amount to live on. This is truly Selim’s history and that of his descend- ants, but by changing the name to that of Mehemet 0r Mustapha,jt would be equally that of every great family in Turkey. The father may have been grand vizier, but the sons and daughters do not inherit much. I can truly say that in Turkey there are not more than four or five great families who count over sixty years of no- bility. The greater number of soi—dzlscmt noble families only date back one generation; in fact, they are noble so long as the person who elevated them exists; at his death his sons maintain themselves for a few years, and then disappear; and by the third or fourth generation the name of vizier, which ennobled the family, is com- pletely forgotten. The constitution of Mussulman society and. the Turk- ish system of government are the causes of such a state of things. As among Mussulmans society is composed of several families7 only distinguishable the one from the other by their proper names, it so happens that a family is first represented by Hassan, then by Mehemet, his son, 286 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. and after by a Mahmud or Selim. These heads of fam- ilies having thus no family name to transmit to each other, their proper names fall into oblivion, and their genealogy is forgotten. The Arabs endeavor to remedy this organic defect in their society by means of a gene- alogical tree, which they religiously preserve in their families. The Turks do not attach any importance to blue blood: they consider the Sultan and his dynasty as alone being noble; the rest are plebeians. Their sys- tem of government is also incompatible with the aristo- cratic system and the maintenance of noble families. The actual proprietor of our house was Mahmud-Bey, son of the grand vizier, Selim-Pasha; he was a little fel~ low, whose exterior did not reveal his high birth. Mah- mud had a face on which was Visible the traces left by great trials and suffering; his sorrowful and gloomy ap- pearance was the reflection of an overburdened spirit, while his worn and mended clothes were the heritage of a grand vizier. \Vhether owing to misfortune 0r prodi- gality I know not, but the fact was that Mahmud-Bey was at his last farthing. All the property left by his father had disappeared except the house, which was left because the deceased Selim had had the good idea of making it an entailed property. In order to satisfy his most urgent needs, Mahmud had cleared his house of every thing, so that nothing but the four walls were left; at last he was compelled to let it, for it would have been foolish to stay in a large house, which he could neither fill nor furnish. MahmudwiBey retired, therefore, with his family, into a distant part of the harem, Which was his last stronghold against utter misery. There he meditated on the vicissitudes of hu- 1’18 0 TBA CTED IIOSTILITIES. 2 8 7 man life and on fate, while strong doses of arak served to soothe the despondency arising from poverty and want. The winter which we spent with Mahmud-Bey passed somewhat sadly, and in the midst of all sorts of torments and worries. Kibrizli-Pasha did not cease to impose Shevket again upon us, and we did not feel disposed to accept his conditions. Things were pushed to such an extent, that they sought to buy over and corrupt our servants and slaves, so that they might make scenes and scandals in the house. Our coaehman got drunk one day and brought back with him two or three seoundrels, who made a great noise before the door of our house and caused much scandal in that part of the town. These people evidently did this under the instigation of those who were endeavoring to defame our house and worry us. They tried every way in which they could find some pretext t0 exile us from Constantinople. Ferideh trembled with passion when she saw her rival going about in her equipages and with her servants. When she heard us called by our names, as the wife and daugh- ter of Kibrizii-Pasha, she shook with rage and spite. Therefore she. sought to compromise us, and for that purpose every means seemed good. One must have lived, as I have, amidst the Turks, to form any idea of their anger and vengeance.' rl‘hus our enemy, Ferideh, thought of nothing but how to defame and despoil us of the little we possessed, and to exile us from Constan~ tinople. Seeing that her husband’s authority was not enofigh, she, began to work upon his highness and try to make him solicit the favor of Fuad-Pasha. This step, i as may be imagined, cost Kibrizli very dear: for no earthly consideration would he have wished to humiliate 288 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREJL himself before his rivals. That his seif—respeet and in~ terests must have suffered there could be no doubt, for the 7626 of chief of the opposition forbade him to make any advances to those in authority. Besides, the cause which he pleaded had something repulsive about it; for, in begging the Government to help him in his troubles with his wife and daughter,Kibriz1i played a petty part, which could only spoil his reputation among his col- leagues and with the public. But Kibrizii-Pasha (or his counselors) put such scru- ples aside, and showed themselves ready to carry it out at the price even of political concessions. As for Fuad, it can be understood that he did not disdain to negotiate on the basis of a guz'dpro qua. For us, we only needed such an understanding be- tween Kibrizii and the grand vizier to place us in a most critical position. Imprisonment, exile, even death, was to be feared, for our enemies had reached to such a pitch of exasperation that nothing could appease them but our ruin. \Vhen I was informed of what was passing, I had no doubt as to the gravity of our position, and we took counsel together on the best way to escape the hostile in- tentions Of our enemies. My plan was to go straight to Europe, leaving the Turks to their jealousies and intrigues. “Fleeing the pleasures which were mixed up with fears,” as the say- ing is——this forcibly struck me amidst the dangers in which we were placed. In fact, of what use to us was a seductive climate, hospitable people, and the luxuries. our means allowed us, when our enemies treated us like wild beasts? It was useless, after what had passed, to think of any compromise with them. MY VIEW OF THE CASE. 289 The Pasha said that the marriage. with Shevket must be renewed; the woman, on her side, preferred death rather than to consent to such an arrangement. Neither side would yield; therefore a.collision was inevitable, and this shock could have no other result than my ruin and that of my child, as I never would have consented to leave her with those who were conspiring against her life. To flee from Constantinople was naturally the first thing which came into our minds; but where to go? That was the question on which we had to think seri- ously before undertaking any further steps. There was no place in Turkey which could shelter us; for if Con- stantinople could not, the provinces were certainly still less likely to do so. Egypt offered certain advantages; for its internal government served us as a guaranty against any persecution. Long experience had taught me the wiles of Eastern policy, and I knew that in this policy there is one chapter called that of Betrayal. An arrangement like that which had just been estab- lished, occurring between the ministers at Constantino- ple, would have sufficed to place us in the underground ' prisons. Europe was the country which alone could shelter us, for there neither the Padishah nor his viziers would be able to reach us. In Germany or France our enemies might mock at us7 but we should soon forget envy and persecutions amidst civilized races. The small property which still remained to us would have assured to my Child a peaceful and happy existence. Unfortunately, my daughter could in no wise comprehend the impor- tance of the counsels I gave her, and my efforts to over- come her opposition ended in nothing. The reasons 0 O 290 THIRTY mums IN THE HAREM. which prevented Aisheh from resolving on a flight into Europe were the following: ‘~ Aisheh, like other Turkish children, had been edu- cated amidst the most ahSur‘d doctrines, of which the principal taught her that :the Mussulmans are the elect race, and that other peoples are a mass of impure and filthy beings. Imbued with these ideas, the Turks feel an insurmountable repugnanee toward Christians, toward their habits and their persons. This repugnanee is so strong, that if one asked a Turkish woman, as a joke, whether she would consent to become the wife of a Chris- tian, she would hasten to show her horror and disgust by spitting upon her own clothes. Aisheh had a similar horror of Christians, and the idea of going to live among them produced a resistance that I could not overcome. The love she bore her father was another reason which prevented her adopting this plan. In fact, when I press- ed my arguments upon her, and showed her that, in her position, she had no other choice, she sighed from the very bottom of her heart, and said, “ No, I love my father too well. I could not cause him such a sorrow in his old age. IfI went among the giaours, he would die of a broken heart.” ' My child’s noble sentiments imposed silence upon me; for there are moments when affection carries away all before it. That in this circumstance my previsions were just, the future will prove. My readers will see how Aisheh herself decided on taking refuge in a Christian country, and abandoning forever the Country of her birth. But, to arrive at such a climax, she had to be reduced to the last extremity, and, as one might say, almost to have the knife at her throat. FLIGHT INTO EG YPT. 2 9 1 \Ve finally agreed upon a flight into Egypt. Egypt has from all time been the polar star of the unfortunate, the country Which offered them an asylum, and protect- ed them from the hatred and persecutions of their ene- mies. In our days also, any one who Wishes to amelio- rate his position finds in Egypt 3 hospitable country. Let us therefore take flight into Egypt; for, once there, our enemies would find it difficult to seize us, and the peo- ple of the country would surely have pity upon two un- fortunate women. 292 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. CHAPTER XXXI. Departure for Egypt.———Abib—Pashai—Ao’rival art AZC$CMZCZ’7‘L'(€.——BC- 7Lam'07=_0f the Egyptians.—Depm°tur0for .Mitylcne— We are taken by Force.—-Ewile to Koniah, OUR preparations for departure were concealed with care until the day we started for Alexandria. Toward evening our small caravan, which consisted of six or seven persons, comprising slaves and domestics, directed their steps toward the steamer which leaves the Golden Horn at seven o’clock. During the voyage between Constantinople and Alexandria nothing occurred worthy of remark, if it were not a meeting with a certain Abib- Pasha, a friend of our enemies, who was going to Egypt to get some money out of the Viceroy. This sort of operation is much in vogue among the Turkish Pashas, who fly to Egypt every time they find themselves penni- less. In the time of the Romans, Egypt was the granary of the empire; at the present time the Turks have con- Verted it into a mint, where every body runs to fill their purses. Abib-Pasha was a good fellow: his career was a sin- gular one. He had commenced by being a writer, but soon changed his vocation to that of a bufi’oon. His buffoonery procured him several patrons, among others Bessim, the brother of my rivai,-Ferideh. It was Bessim who, in a fit of drunkenness, made his buffoon a Pasha7 and sent him to govern Croatia, Macedonia, and some other provinces. But, though a Pasha, Abib did not ABIB- PASHA. 293' find himself any better off, because he would continue to he Pasha and buffoon both at the same time. The truth is, that no amount of money was sufficient for his extrav- agances, and he was over head and ears in debt. Never- theless, his debts were the least of his anxieties; for, with surprising good-humor, he fancied he could pay his debts with the same money that he employed to gain his patrons—that is to say, by means of his bufl'oonery. But his creditors would not let him off with such payment, for they strenuously opposed the departure of his excel- leney, and would not let him leave Travinl: or Drama until they had placed his wife and secretaries in security as pledges. Abib, on his arrival at Constantinople, went every- where beseeehing his patrons to raise the money for their release, and succeeded in doing so. He then took a voy- age to Egypt, where he hoped to get into favor with Farahon, whose generosity he hoped would soon fill his pockets. Abib was not altogether a bad fellow, and showed us every attention and kindness during the voy- age. On our arrival at Alexandria, Abib-Pasha hasten- ed to warn the Egyptian authorities, and gave them in- formation regarding us which was not, however, inspired by hostile sentiments. This was all the more honorable to Abib, that in the East it is the custom to turn the back on, and even to kick, those who are persecuted or in any misfortune. In all countries, it is true, the wretched ai‘e shunned like a pestilence; hut in Turkey this is done without the least reserve or delicacy, and in such a manner that one need not be surprised if one receives a box on the ears from him who the evening before had kissed your slipper. 294 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. The moment Hafiz-Pasha, Governor of Alexandria, heard that the wife and daughter of Kibrizli-Pasha was on board, he hastened to send us a carriage, with an in- vitation t0 alight at the hotel that the Egyptian Govern- ment places at the disposition of travelers of distinction. This establishment is called the Zlfusa 71-101mm; it con- tains apartments sumptuously furnished, where persons of rank who Visit Egypt are lodged. They gave us the first floor of the hotel, and twice every day they served us with an exquisite repast in the Eastern fashion, with patties, sweets, and every thing that one required. But the attentions and zeal that the Egyptians dis- played, in order to render our visit to Egypt agreeable, soon gave place to an unexpected coolness, which sud- denly manifested itself the fourth day after our arrival. Our friends at Constantinople, having learned that we had left for Egypt, sent, without loss of time7 a dispatch to the Viceroy, to let him know that his highness, Ki- briin-Pasha, having disgraced and disowned us, he felt wounded by the attentions that had been shown us. Having had my suspicions of what was passing, I ask- ed for an interview with the governor, Hafiz-Pasha, in order to assure myself of his intentions regarding us. Hafiz made me understand the bearings of the instruc- tions that had been sent him, and informed me that his Government, while offering us hospitality, did not de- sire to offend his highness by giving him, or the author- ities at Constantinople, any cause for annoyance; and he wound up his remarks by counseling my daughter and myself to do every thing in our power, and by any sae- rifiees7 t0 endeavor to regain the favor of his highness. The diplomatic and reserved style employed by Hafiz- BEI-IA VIOR OF THE EG YPTIAMS. 295 Pasha sufficed to reveal the intentions of his Govern- ment on our behalf, and to show me the danger which menaoed us. A plain and simple language, without com- pliment, would have inspired me with confidence; while this enigmatical manner of speaking proved that the Egyptians were not people on whom one might count. Evidently they would not have hesitated, had they been pressed from Constantinople, to handcuff us, and send us into the subterranean prisons, from which we should never have escaped. Terrified by the ideas that the interview with Hafiz- Pasha had suggested to me, I hastened, on my return to the hotel, to give the alarm to my daughter, notifying to her my intention of returning to Turkey by the first steamer. I made her understand that, if we were once imprisoned in a distant country, I should never be al- lowed to return again; for the Turks were so angry with me personally7 that they would lose no time in getting i rid of me once for all. It was true that, in going back to Turkey, we were both of us in danger; but we should also have there some chances of safety. Being in Tur- key, we could rely on the sympathy of the people, and, at the worst, find means to escape. In Egypt and in the Sudan we should have no one to help us, and, once there, we should most likely have to remain for the rest of our lives. I It did not require much persuasion to convince A'1'sheh that my fears were but too well founded, and the same. day she decided on returning to Constantinople. Never- theless, during the few days which preceded our depart- ure we set ourselves to think what we should do after our arrival at Constantinople, and endeavored to trace 296 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. out a line of conduct which would assure to us the advantages of a retired life, and protect us from vio- lence. It was impossible to disguise from ourselves the fact that, in going to Constantinople, we placed ourselves in an abnormal position; for it could not be in the proxim- ity of our adversaries, who hunted us everywhere, that we could hope to find that tranquillity and security which we longed for. Besides, from an economical point of view also, the capital was not exactly the place where one could dream of economizing: the name of our fami- ly, the expensive habits of my daughter, the example of others, were so many obstacles which would prevent our leading a quiet and retired life. After having considered various projects, we at length agreed on a plan which appeared full of the required conditions. I had heard it said that the Island of Mity- lene was a charming place, where the inhabitants passed their lives in the midst of enjoyment and plenty. From the accounts I had received, house-rent was at a relative- ly low rate, food was abundant, while the gardens and country offered all the pleasures that nature could ’pro- cure; and, besides, it was said that the trade in corn and olives prospered there. , The information that I acquired at Alexandria on the subject of our safety, taught me that the different Pow- ers had consuls residing in the town, the chief place of the island. This fact was of a nature to encourage and reassure us, for it is well known that everywhere, where there are foreign consuls, the Tarkish authorities are cir- cumspect, and a certain restraint is placed on their arbi- trary actions. In a place like Mitylene they would not 0 U18 ARRIVAL A T MI T YLENE. 2 9 ’7 dare to touch us with impunity, for public opinion would to a certain extent protect us. The decision which we adopted was, then, that we should first go to Constantinople, from whence, after hav- ing realized the money which we required, and after having made the necessary preparations, we should leave for Mitylene. Our arrival at Constantinople greatly surprised our adversaries, and this surprise on their part favored the execution of our project. While the Pasha and the Min- istry discussed among themselves the coercive measures that they proposed to decree, we had plenty of time te make our arrangements for the voyage, and to start for Mitylene. . V On our arrival at Mitylene we at once occupied our- selves with getting a house, and procuring all that was necessary for our subsistence. rI‘he house we hired was a beautiful residence, situated on a height, from which we had a magnificent View of the port, and of the mount- ains whieh surround it. Our nearest neighbors were the consuls of Italy and Greece, while in our immediate neighborhood the consuls of the other Powers and the Greek Archbishop of Mitylene resided. We had, in- deed, as may be seen,neg1eeted no precautions, and our position, in the midst of the diplomatic corps, was, one might almost say, unattaekable. Nevertheless, these very precautions hastened the catastrophe. Some days after our arrival in the island, I thought of entering on some speculations, 0f the sort which were most in vogue among commercial people, with the aim of increasing the small amount of capital we still had at our disposal. The speculation which I entered upon 298 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREJI. was that of importing flour from Salonica, in order to sell it to the inhabitants of the island at an opportune moment. To this effectIassoeiated myself with aGreck merchant, and Iordered a large cargo of flour, which was warehoused. These commercial operations, the administration of which I left to an overseer, a man called Hadjii, did not prevent my entering on friendly relations with my'neigh- ,hors, for in our position it wa an advantage that every one should know us, and that we should know every one. When one has nothing to conceal, and can carry the head high, one has every thing to gain by being so- ciable and mixing with one’s equals. rl‘hus we frequent- ly visited the Italian consul, M. Marinucci7 M. Delaportc, the Greek consul, as also other families on the island; but the society which charmed us more than all theoth- ers was that of Monseigneur the Archbishop of Mitylene, a Venerable old man, full of goodness and courtesy. The archbishop had a magnificent garden, where he reared with the greatest care the rarest flowers and shrubs, among which the oranges and lemons were so numerous that they formed a thick forest, the scent of which perfumed the air. In this garden my daughter and I used frequently to walk and enjoy the freshness of the evening, and the amiable society of the archbishop. One day, while seated near the kiosque in company with the archbishop and his attendant priests, our servant Abdullah entered the ga1‘den,‘and With a terrified air in- formed us that the soldiers had surrounded our house, and were seeking us everywheie. This unexpected news coming into the midst of the circle of fiiends 111 which we found ourselves, threw con- WE ARE SEAT TO AN OLD FORTRESS. 299 sternatiou among us a11,and, as was but natural in a case of such a critical nature, the 01d archbishop and his at- tendants surrounded us at once to offer their counsels and good offices. To the kindness of these worthy priests I replied by thanking them in my own and daughter’s name for all the attentions they had shown us, and prayed them to be witnesses before God and men of the barba- rous acts that were about to be committed against women. Turning then toward my daughter, I endeavored to raise her spirits by exhorting her not to be afraid; for if our last hour was come, it would not be remedied by our showing ourselves cowardly. Having said these few words, I turned toward the gar- den door; but scarcely were we outside, when'the gen- darmes, who were waiting for us, seized us and led us away to an old fortress, situated about two miles from the town. The gendarmes who conducted us remained taeiturn the whole way, and did not say a word as to what was going to be done with us; only, in reply to an observation of mine that I supposed it was owing to the receipt of an order from my husband that they acted in this'manner toward us, the commandant of the detach- ment said, dryly, “ You know it, madame; well, then, march.” \Vhen we reached the fortress, they made us pass through three small iron doors, and led us into a vaulted room7 only partially lighted by an opening close to the roof. This dark and damp prison had for its sole furni- ture two wretched beds with a woolen eoverlet. No sooner had we entered when the guards, locking us in, left us to meditate on our position and on the fate which awaited us. 300 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM While the orders that the Ministry had sent from Constantinople were being executed on our persons, our house and goods were seized by the detachment which were Charged with this operation. Among all our prop- erty and furniture7 our clothes were the only things given over to us; every thing else, comprising the flour and other merchandise that we kept warehoused, and also our ready cash, was confiscated, and passed into the hands of persons greedy for plunder. The three days we passed in the fortress were days of misery and anguish; each time the door of our prison was opened, or that we heard a noise from the outside,- we fancied that our last moment had arrived, and that the executioners were come to strangle us. This dread which seized us was not the result of an excited imagi- nation or terrified mind, but it was caused by the convic- tion that our enemies, Ferideh and Bessim, were persons who would not draw back from any enormity in order to get rid of us. It was their inability alone which had paralyzed them; but now that the authorities appeared to lend them assistance in their aims, we might expect every thing from them. Nevertheless, at the end of the third day of our deten- tion, one of the officials of the government of the island came to inform us that we were to be exiled to Koniah, in Asia Minor, and in consequence we should have to embark on board the steamer, which was to leave that same night for Smyrna. The Pasha’s officer did not fail to give us some words of consolation, and made many excuses on the part of his master, who, he said7 greatly regretted having had to perform so sad a duty, but, as a EXILE T0 KONIAII. 301 servant of the state, he could not do otherwise than obey the orders that had been sent him. Thus again escorted by gendarmes, we were conduct- ed on board, j met as though we had been condemned to the galleys, or like people who had conspired against the life of the Padishah and the safety of the country. Our arrest took place in the beginning of December, 1865. 302 TIIIRTY YEARS IN THE IIARE’JI. CHAPTER XXXII. Route to Kontak—Sojourn at Koniafi.—Escape from Konfab— We arrive at fl!ersi7w.—T/Le French Consul—Arrival at 00n- stantinople. WITH our arrival at Smyrna, we were conducted, un- der an escort, to a Turkish house, where we were kept for three more days under strict surveillance. The prep- arations for our journey being then terminated, we were placed .on horses, and took the road which leads from Smyrna to Koniah by way of Sparta. Our escort at this time was not a very formidable one; it oniy con- sisted of two gcndarmes. Evidently the Smyrna au- thorities did not fear our attempting flight during the journey. Besides, with bad horses, bud cavalry saddles, and the snow which covered the mountains of Aidin, we had need to be men of exceptional strength, instead of women, in order to attempt such a flight. Poor unfortunate creatures as we were, we had barely strength to keep ourselves on our saddles, for we shiv- ered with the cold, which almost deprived us of the use of our limbs. A'Isheh, who never ought to have been exposed to such trials, had to undergo some great hard- ships; her condition was truly pitiable. The privations and sufferings to which she was exposed told upon her strength with greater force, owing to her mind and spirit being so crushed, and being deprived of all the comforts , and luxuries to which she had been accustomed in her father’s house; but what rendered her more inconsoiable R 0 UTE T0 KONIAJI. 8 03 than all besides, was the knowledge that she owed all this dreadful treatment to a father whom she tenderly loved. - The sufferings of my daughter, and the state of the roads, did not permit us to take long marches, or to en- joy any of the pleasures of the journey. Our stages were generally from three to four hours a day, so that it tool; us a fortnight to reach Koniah7 the place of 0an des- tination. On the way we rested in many towns and Vil- lages. The most important places we saw were Aidin, the country of the famous Zeibecics, the troubadour war- riors of Asia Minor. Aidin, 0r Guzel-Hissar, must be a Charming place in summer-time, as it is surrounded by gardens and orchards, and offers a beautiful View of the adjacent plain. Sparta is another town whose smiling appearance somewhat enlivened the dreariness of our journey. This place, like Aidin, commands a fine View over a valley covered with fine plane-tr'eesz' the waters flow plentifully through the beds of the streams and tor- rents; while the houses seemed to Us elegantly and well built in the midst of gardens. But in the midst of our sufferings, seeing ourselves exiles and outcasts7 the beauties of nature and the sight of towns and Villages could not produce any great effect upon us; so that 'it often happened that we entered in- side a place and came out again without even thinking to ask our gendarmes or the country people any ques- tions about it. In the midst of our anxiety, the predom- inant thought which engrossed our minds was, “And what next? XVhat will they do with us when once we reach Koniah ?” After a march of fifteen days, we at last arrived at Ko- 304 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. niah, which is situated in the middle of a vast plain. I will not say any thing here on the subject of Koniah, of its houses, its mosques, and the gardens which constitute its suburbs; for, as the reader will remember, I have already made mention of this town, in speaking of my first exile here. Nevertheless, I do not hesitate to say that, in approaching the town, I could not prevent feel- ing a lively desire to see it again, and to meet my old friends and acquaintances once more. It seemed to me at this moment that in all misfortunes there is a charm, and that the recollection of a sad past has in it also some- thing to soothe and please the mind. Our arrival at Koniah did not fail to produce a lively sensation among all classes of the population, among the men as well as in the harem. They were astonished to see a daughter sent by her father into exile in the midst of ice and snow. The Pasha-Governor was a certain good and fat old man, called Izzet-Pasha. When the gendarmes placed in his hands the firman which con- demned us to exile, the poor Pasha remained stupefied, and, seizing his long beard, cried out, “Tchok sh'ei! Tehok sheilr bunudah giurduk!” sig- nifying, “Zouncls! one must live to my age to see such things as these.” Izzet-Pasha took care to settle us in a house, where we were no sooner installed than we were besieged by a mass of visitors. Every one who had formerly known me came at once to see me; some of my friends hasten- ing to express their regrets for the misfortunes that had befallen me and my daughter, while my most intimate friends could not conceal their joy at seeing me again in their midst. IIADJI—KADIN ’s VISIT. 305 The wives of the Mollah-Unkiar, as also those of sev- eral dervishes, hastened to send us hot dishes and sweet- meats, as a proof of their cordiality. In our private con- versations, as between mother and daughter, as regarded our position, we came to the conclusion that it would be folly to think of returning, at least for some time, to our own country, and that for the moment we could not do better than resign ourselves to our fate, and to try and render our exile as agreeable as we could possibly make it. Evidently the only hope we could entertain of return- ing to our home was based on the possibility that the voice of nature might make itself heard in the heart of him who had not hesitated to persecute his Wife and Child. Nevertheless, Providence, Which watched over us, had in its hidden designs‘ ordered otherwise; for without our knowledge, or even thinking of it, it was about to open the road of our deliverance. Three months had scarcely elapsed since our arrival at Koniah, when one fine day a certain I-Iadji-Kadin, the mother of a dervish, came to visit us. In the course of conversation the worthy woman said, that if she had been placed in a similar position to ours, she should have escaped and returned to Constantinople. “You have not committed any crime,” added Hadji- Kadin. “What do you suppose they can do to you? If I were in your place, as Allah is my Witness, I would not remain a minute longer here.” These exhortations produced an extraordinary effect on me and my daughter; for we felt our courage and strength reviving at every word. The question of our flight Was then fully discussed, and between us three we talked over the means we must employ to carry out our 306 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. enterprise successfully. Hadji-Kadin offered with the best good-will to provide us with horses for the journey, and proposed that her son, Dervish Ahmet, should ac- company us in secret outside the town, and put us on the road which leads to Mersine. The plan to be fol- lowed in our evasion having been decided on, it only remained to make the necessary arrangements. Before relating the circumstances attending our flight from Koniah, I must give a few explanations on this event; for the explanations will throw a light on the causes which brought about our exile and our flight. I must commence by saying that both our exile and our flight were neither more nor less than political farces, that the Ministry and Kibriin-Pasha played one against the other. In the midst of these intrigues, it was we, poor unfortunates, who had to suffer. According to in- formation which I gleaned on our return to Constanti- nople, which also bore out what I heard Fuad-Pasha himself say on the occasion of my interview with him at Nice, a short time before his death, I will now relate what the circumstances were which brought about our exile and our flight. My readers will no doubt recollect what I have pre- viously said on the subject of the instigations of our ene- mies, who, by their tricks and wiles, induced the Pasha to commit acts of Violence on the persons of his wife and daughter. But Kibrizli, who was no longer in the Ministry, had no other means of satisfying the clamor of the people of his household than that of asking the ministers to aid him by means of their authority. The ministers at first hesitated to give Kibrizli their sup- port; for the intestine warfare which ravaged the fami- TIIREA TS 0F KIBRIZLIPASIIA. 307 1y of a pretendant to the grand vizierate accorded com- pletely with the Wishes and interests of Fuad and of Ali Pasha. The good-Will which the ministers at first showed us, and their refusal to lend themselves as instruments of vengeance, sufficiently explains their policy during the first period of the conflicts Which were carried on be- tween Kibrizli-Pasha and ourselves. But an unexpected change in the aspect of affairs caused Fuad and Ali to alter their plans. Kibrizh having resolved at any cost to prevail over us and his political adversaries, presented an ultimatum to the Ministry, by Which he declared that, if they persisted in refusing the arm of authority against his daughter, he would go straight to the Sultan and get from his majesty the firman he desired to have. Seeing that Kibrizli would get the VictOryin spite of themselves, Fuad and Ali changed their tactics by giv- ing way to the demands of their adversary, in according him the firman for our arrest and exile. In acting in this manner, these two statesmen took into consideration our safety and interests; for it was evident that if Ki- brizh-Pasha, Ferideh, Bessim, and our other enemies could have succeeded in procuring a firman according to their own wishes, our destruction would have been inevitable. In giving, therefore, this firman, the Ministry, Without our knowledge, rendered us a signal service. Neverthe- less, as nothing is done in political matters Without a motive, thus Fuad and Ali only consented to grant the firman with the aim of preserving the advantages that they could gather in the midst of our domestic quarrels. They both thoroughly well understood that it would be easy to annul a firman which emanated from themselves, 308 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. while it would have been much more difficult to revoke a firman emanating from the Sultan himself. Briefly, Fuad and Ali said to themselves, “Let us give Kibrizli the firman he asks for; afterward it will not be difficult to get the women back again, and things will go on in the same way as before." This is exactly what they did in sending us two emis- saries, such as Hadji~Kadin and Dervish Ahmet, her son. That these people acted from instructions received from headquarters there can he no doubt; for if it was not the case, how can one explain these facts, that during our stay at Koniah no measure of surveillance was adopted on our behalf, and that afterward, on our arriv- al at Constantinople, the Ministry took no notice of our escape? Evidently they only wanted to shut Kibi‘iin-Pasha’s mouth by giving him the firman, while, in allowing us to escape, they wished to create new difficulties. According to the plan we had laid down, Dervish Ah- met came and knocked at our door toward the dawn of day, accompanied by two guides and horses, which we had to mount. IVithout loss of time, we three, Ai‘sheh, myself, and my son Djehad took our places on our sad- dles, and began to trot across the fields and solitary paths that Dervish Ahmet had Charged himself with the duty of showing us. IVhen at some distance from Ko- niah, Dervish Ahmet confided us to the care of the two guides, at the same time wishing us good-bye and a prosperous journey. Now that I see things in a different light to what I did at that time, I can but regret that they did not spare us the fear, the agitation, and the fatigue that this flight ESCAPE FROM KONIAH. 309 from Koriiah caused'us. If the Ministry had decided on making us return to Constantinople to play out their game, for myself I would have promised to play it out to perfection, without any one guessing it, and without causing us real torments. But the complete ignorance in which we were kept on the subject of what was pass- ing behind the scenes made us escape with all the grav- ity and fear of dangerous consequences. At every step we looked. behind to see if any one was following us. Instead of going along tranquilly, we galloped like ma- niacs; and not being able to sit well on our saddles, we fell 01? at least twenty times. As for my daughter, she displayed a great deal of courage; she astonished us by the skill which she show- ed in the management of her horse. N evertheless, she also fell off several times, but this did not occur till the moment when her strength failed her, and she felt her- self worn out with fatigue and want of sleep. Between Koniah and Karaman there is a distance of twenty hours’ ride; we did the whole of it in two stages, and halted in a meadow on the banks of a rivulet. The truth is, that after a march of twelve or fourteen hours we Were so knocked up that we could not go on without taking some rest. Leaving our horses to graze in the meadow, we and our guides lay. down on the banks of the stream, and in a few moments fell fast asleep. At day-break A‘i'sheh woke: alarmed by the danger we ran in prolonging our halt in a place infested by Turkish marauders, she made us get up and continue our march. In fact, we were in a most dangerous posi- tion; for if eVil-disposed people had presented them- selves, we could not have Offered them any resistance; 810 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. our caravan only consisted of two armed men, and they slept quite tranquilly 0n the grass. If thieves had made their appearance, they could easily have carried us all off—men and women and horses. we continued our journey toward Karaman, but were not able to enter it before sunset, on account of the by- ways we had to take, so as to avoid the most frequented paths. As I have already said, all these troubles and annoyances might have been spared us, if they had only hinted that we might escape by the public road and take our time about it. After spending the night at Karaman, we continued our journey, following the valleys, and keeping along by the sides of the mountains of Cilieia (the Ak-dagh). Be— fore crossing this chain, our caravan passed the night at Khan, a small town situated on the road to Mersine. From Khan, on the following day, we mounted to the summit of the chain of mountains whose culminating peak the country peOple call Dunbeleli-dagh. The road was a succession of zigzags through the wooded sides of the mountains. The View was unexceptionably pictur- esque and grand. The third night of our march we halted at a village on the other side of the mountain; and on the fourth day, late in the afternoon, we arrived safe and well at Mersine. As we feared lest the authorities of the town should take notice of our arrival, and in consequence raise difficultiesand perhaps prevent our departure, we immediately, on our arrival, went to the French consul, in order to put ourselves under his protection. The consul was absent at his country place; for in Cilieia, when the springtime is much advanced, the in- KINDNESS 0F 11!. GEOFFROK 311 habitants are in the habit of going for the month of March to their country residences, so as to enjoy the most agreeable season of the year. This tiresome cir- cumstance necessitated our going in search of. the consul, and to have another half-hour’s ride. The concierge at ‘the consulate was gallant enough to offer himself as our guide, and walked at the head of our horses till we l'eache’d the consul’s door. The consul’s house was pic- turesquely situated in the midst of rocks, and com- manded a large and beautiful Vineyard, surrounded by fig and palm trees. Having been apprised of our arrival, the consul has- tened in person to offer us thehospitality of his house, and, with an exquisite courtesy, assisted us ofiiour horses, and did us the honors of his house. M. Geoffrey was a young man, about thirty years of age, of an agreeable ex- terior, and with manners which revealed high birth and choice education. The kindness which the chivalrous consul showed us greatly surpassed the ordinary limits of hospitality and etiquette. According to Oriental custom7 he placed his bath at our disposal, and requested his mother to see that nothing was neglected for our comfort. M. Geof- f‘roy hastened, the first moment we put foot in his house, to assure us that no one should molest us while we re- mained with him, and he would also give us a safe con- duct to put us on board the steamer. TVe remained for two days the guests of the consul, who charmed us by his manners, as also by the atten- tions with which he overwhelmed us. But what pleased me more than all was the service he did for us in giving us as a friend his best advice and counsels on the sub- 312 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. jeet of my daughter and her father. M. Geoffrey, Who thoroughly understood the character of the Turks, did not hesitate to say that, from what he had heard from us about our affairs, our return to Constantinople was, under the Circumstances, an act of utter madness. As for the hope of bringing about a reconciliation With the Pasha and our adversaries, it was an illusion that the antecedents entirely contradicted. According to him, there were but two courses open: either my daughter must decide on a complete submission, or else she must seek for safety in a foreign country. In this M. Geoffrey and myself were of the same opin- ion; but unfortunately Aisheh would not listen to the counsels of her mother or a friend, for she still cherished the hope of arranging matters by means of a mezzo Zer- mine. On the arrival of the steamer, we took leave of M. Geoffrey and his mother, and went to take our places on board. As the vessel touched at the different ports along the coast, such as Rhodes, Smyrn a, the Dardanelles, it took three days for us to reach the Golden Horn. LVDIFFE’RENOE T 0 0 UR SI T [Li TION. 3 1 3 CHAPTER XXXIII. Awrieal at Constantinople—Our Position—Dwigns 0f the Turks.— IVe decide 2‘0 fly to Earropervflfy Nephew, Carlo Calm OUR arrival did not fail to produce a certain effect on the mass of the populace of Constantinople; but this sen- sation was not alone the result of surprise, for they knew that we were not women who would allow ourselves to be easily ruled. The news of our arrival naturally vexed ouradversaries; as for the Ministry, they rej oiced; for they knew the struggle was about to begin again between us and our enemies. It will not have escaped my reader’s notice that, while I do not hesitate to qualify Kibrizli, Ferideh, etc., by the name of adversaries, I take care not to call the people in authority our fiz'ends: in fact, what title could I give Fuad and Ali Pasha, who, while making use of us to attain their own political aims, nevertheless left us to the mercy of the strongest, and showed themselves totally indifferent to our sufferings and anguish? If these people had had really our welfare at heart, what they should have done was very simple. ’I‘hey ought first to have allowed us a sum of money for our subsistence, and at once have intimated to our adversaries to keep quiet, or otherwise the Government would interfere in our favor. Fuad and Ali took care not to follow such a line of conduct, for they knew that by this means an end would soon be put to our quarrels. Naturally, if they had let 14 314 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. us live in peace, and if they had allowed us some thou- sands of francs for our maintenance, we should never have troubled ourselves aboht Ferideh and her com— panions; we should have left them perfectly tranquil. Wishing to put an end to a state of things in which we had nothing to gain and every thing to lose, imme- diately on my arrival at Constantinople I begged my daughter to endeavor to regain her father’s goodwill and favor. With this object in View, Aisheh went to see a Hzocija, who was the spiritual director of his high- ness—a pious person of great repute among the grandees of Constantinople, as well as the poorer classes of the people. The k/zocg/a, by name Ibrahim-Efl’endi, received Aisheh with every mark of kindness and consideration. He expressed his regret for the misfortunes which had befallen us, and did not conceal from her that he disap- proved of the acts of Violence from which we had sufJ fered.- Ibrahirh-Efi’endi did not hesitate to say that he had remonstrated 011' this subject with his highneSs, but that unfortunately he had not been attended to. The 76/100965, in conclusion, assured Aisheh that he would not fail to seize the first favorable opportunity to intereede in her behalf; but he added, that we must keep very quiet, and avoid giving the least annoyance to the Pasha. . But while Ibrahim-Effendi preached these sermons to Aisheh, and sent her away with fine words, we were rapidlyhastening toward a crisis. The fact is, we were reduced to the last extremity, having no other alternative before us than to surrender at discretion, or else to make a path for ourselves through the enemies’ lines. Like a garrison which has used up RED UOED 0112 OUMSTANOES.. 315 its provisions, we were compelled either to lower our arms or to make a sortie. Our means were entirely exhausted. Of the hundred thousand francs which my daughter had brought away with her in her flightfrom her father’s house, there only remained a few thousands. All this money had run through our fingers under one pretext or another. A part of it was expended by Aisheh in frivolities which she declared she could not do without; another portion was confiscated at Mitylene, or‘else was absorbed by the expenses of our exile and flight. Briefly, as I have said, all had been spent in one way or another, and two or three thousand francs was all we possessed in this solemn moment. Under these circumstances, it was impossible to think of continhing the struggle, or even to remain in the cap— ital in which my daughter had been accustomed to lead a luxurious life. The only chance that was left us was to go and live in the country, where a small property which I possessed would have served us as a shelter, and would have saved us from the imminent danger of our dying from starvation. But after having solved the economical part of the question, the next thing to be considered was that of our personal safety. Should we be safe there. ‘9 And if our enemies sent any one to ill- treat us, who was there to protect us? In the 1mpossi- bility of solving this problem in a satisfactory manner, I bethought myself of a flight into Europe,1n order to see if this course offered me more chance, or even a shadow of hope. But it was not necessary to rack one’s brains to be able to understand that in our position it would have been madness to dream of a flight. I 316 THIRTY YEARS IN THE IIAREM. well knew that two women who dared to‘venture into Europe without money might expect every thing, even death itself. But while we waited with anxiety the result of our negotiations, and strove to come to a decision on the subject of what was best to be done, an incident occur- red which decided our fate. We had a friend, a certain Hussein-Pasha, who was acquainted with Bessim-Shev- ket, and all that set. Hussein learned, God knows how, that Kibrizli-Pasha and his counselors had decided on getting rid of us at any cost, and with this end in view they intended transporting us to the fortress of Demito- ka, from whence we could never hope to escape. The fortress of Demitoka is situated in Thracia, and it is there that the Porte sends those it wishes to be ridvofi There is no place in Turkey more gloomy, or where the sur- veillance is so strict as at Demitoka; this explains why this place is proverbially known as a sort of hell upon earth. Hussein, on learning the intentions of our enemies, hastened to send us a secret emissary, to warn us of the danger which threatened us. The importance of this in- formation could not be doubted, for after what had oc- curred to us at Mitylene, it was evident there was no outrage that our enemies were not capable of. As for doubting the veracity of the message sent us by Hussein- Pasha, this was quite out of the question, for we knew that Hussein cordially detested our enemies; and if it was not entirely out of regard to us, at any rate his en- mity t0 the others made him desire to be uSeful. This news greatly alarmed us, but myself the most, for clearer than my daughter I could see that a gloomy FEARS 0F AISHE’ZI. ‘ 317 future lay open before us. Aisheh, on her side a prey to a consternation which bordered on delirium, implored me to leave for Europe,.saying she preferred to die of hunger rather than fall living into the hands of her ene- mies. I did my best to calm her, and in this supreme moment to raise her spirits by making her understand that she must oh no account despair of the future, for affairs had not yet reached the point she imagined, and that, in some way or another, we should obtain support and protection. But all my prayers and exhortations were of no avail; she turned a deaf ear to them; for her terror was such that the unfortunate girl had lost all control over herself. After having fixed her wild eyes on the door, Aisheh re- mained immovable for some seconds, then, turning sud“ denly to me, she said, in a terrified voice, “ If you will go with me, well; if not, I will go immediately to the sea, and embark in the first European ship I can find, for here I will not stay.” Having already had a hundred proofs of what Aisheh was capable of when once she had taken any thing strongly to heart, and knowing that, in her excited state, she might even destroy herself, I gave way to her en- treaties. Besides, a mother’s feelings are apt _to carry her away from the path of reason and common sense, and I felt as if a whirlwind was drawing me, with my child, into its vortex. I therefore at once promised to take her to Europe, and to place her in safety from those who conspired, against us; at the same time, I recom- mended'A'Isheh to keep our intentions quite. secret, for, if any one got the least suspicion of it, we should lose our lives. ' 318 TIIIRTY YEARS IN TIIE IIAIBEJI. In order to give the reader an idea of the dangers in the midst of which we found'ourselves, I must mention that what Kibrizh-Pasha'and the Turks most dreaded was, that we should escape into Europe. . Fanatieism and ' jealousy are the two sentiments which predominate with ,the Turks. These sentiments are so Violent, that no Turk can hear that a woman has escaped to the giaours without trembling with rage. It is quite possible that the Turk who hears the dread- ful news may neither know the woman nor her family, nor even her country. These things are perfectly indif- ferent to him; the mere fact that the daughter of a Mus- suhnan has fallen into the hands of the'giaours, and that these latter can look upon her features7 is enough to make his blood boil, and make him rave. Should it happen, however, that the woman who has escaped is no unknown persOn of 10w extraction, but the daughter of one of the princes of Islam, the Turks are ready to declare in abody that such a fact is a national disaster; some of them may in consequence even die of a stroke of apoplexy. My daughter Aisheh was the. daughter of a grand vizier, of one who had three times held in his hand the seal of the Padishah; besides this, she was an Esseideh- Emir, a descendant of the race of Mohammed. One can understand that the very idea that such a'woman could escape, and be exposed to the unclean gaze of the giaours,‘ would make the Turks furious to that degree that they would prefer to confine us for life in the fortress of Dem- itoka, or have us strangled, rather than cover Islam with so lasting a disgrace. It is a grave error to suppose that jealousy and fanati- 0 UR PREOA UTIONS. 3 I 9 Cism were extinguished at the epoch of the destruction of the Janizaries; for even at this date the young per- sons who have been. sent to Europe for their education take the infection of these diseases on their return to their homes. Fuad-Pasha made an. exception to the general'ru‘le; as regards Al_i-Pasha, I can form 110 opin- ion, inasmuch as I am not'aequainted with his ideas and sentiments. No one could ever guess what this man really thought or felt; Ali was a real genius in hypoc- risy. - But to return to our flight. I must mention that the precautions which I took while I made my preparations were in conformity with the gravity ‘of the circumstances, and of the risks which we ran. ‘ After having turned several projects over in my mind, I finally decided upon the only one which seemed to offer any chance of suc- cess; this was, in the first place, to discover some one among the Europeans at Pera who would procure dress- es for us in the European fashion—petticoats, bonnets, mantles, and so 'on—a'nd who would undertake to secure places for us on one of the mail-packet boats that sailed for Marseilles. , Under these circumstances, it was natural that I should turn my eyes toward my own relations at Pera; for to whom could I apply in a matter so dangerous and deli- cate, if not to my own sister? The Perotes are so no- toriously vernal7 that I had good reasons for fearing to confide in any of them; there was a great risk that, al- lured by the hope of making their fortunes, they would betray me to the Turks, who would readily have given an enormous sum for information respecting our plans. To say the truth, I for some time even hesitated to con- «A 9. 1 -‘ A 2:1 '1 t l l l l :1 u f 320 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. fide in‘my own sister, and for the reason that her son, CarloCahX, was purveyor to the imperial court, and in consequence intimately connected With the Turks. “ God knows,” I said to myself, “ how far money interests may prevail over family ties; and Carlo CaliX, who gains thousandsuand thousands by the Turks, may possibly betray his aunt, whom he scarcely knows.” But the honest Carlo proved the falsehood of my sus- picions and fears; no one in the world could have acted more nobly; he took on himself, at his own cost and risk, to provide our means of escape. In fact, when I went to Madame Calix and confided to her our design of escaping to Europe, she immediately summoned her son Carlo, and we three held a consultation,i11 ”Which we discussed the project in all its phases, and we decided on the plan of action Which appeared most favorable. The eagerness Which Carlo displayed in aiding us in this dangerous business took me quite by surprise, for I had no reason to expect it. “Aunt,” said Carlo, “ as I see things, the only hope of safety for you and Aisheh is in flight. By escaping to Europe, not only do you place yourself in safety, but you take a signal revenge on the Turks, Who have ill- treated and tyrannized over you, and Who now seek to destroy you. “ Sacré-bleu, leave us to act, and to-morrow every thing Will be ready for your departure.” G O VERNJVEN T FORJIIALITIES. ’ 3 2 1 CHAPTER XXXIV. Our Flight. «‘We disguise Ourselees.—Wa get on Bom’d the Mail Steamer.— 0W Departure— Q]? at lastfo'r E'wope. EVERY thing having been made ready for our depart- ure7 we hurried to be off by the very first mail, which was to start for France that week. Our anxiety, our apprehensions may be, in a measure, imagined, but nev- er fully realized. On the one hand, we had already experienced the terrors of pursuit, the horrors of re- capture, the long torments of. seclusion. A worse fate awaited us if our present project failed—an underground dungeon for life. On the other hand, our success de— pended upon our taking advantage of the very first opportunity of attempting our escape. Should we be fortunate now? This was the momentous question the attempt could alone determine. At Constantinople the Government and the police ex- ercise a rather severe control over the passports of de- parting travelers. In the first instance, the documents must be Vise’d; they are then presented at the office of the Messageries, and are only returned to the travel- ers a, few moments before their departure. Now these formalities threatened to be for us a most serious busi- ness, for this simple reason, that we had no passports, and had no means of procuring any. But if our being without passports exposed us to the risk of being stopped by the local police, on the other hand, the imminent danger we were in, from the revengeful fury of my hus- 14* 322 THIRTY YEARS IN THE 1141131331. band, left us no alternative but to incur the risk of being arrested by the local police, the chance of bribing whom still remained to us. Fully aware, therefore, of the immense advantage to us of using diligence, we accomplished impossibilities in these two days, in order to complete our preparations. Carlo hastened to bring us dresses, prepared our trunks, and ordered the sedan chairs which were to take us through the streets of Pera and from Galata to the place of embarkation. I for my part hurried off to tell A'i- sheh that our departure was fixed for the following day. It was necessary to assign some reason for our pro- ceedings to our own household and neighbors. XVe therefore gave them to understand that we were only going to the quarter of the giaours to make purchases. Our adieus were the last which we ever made to them—— the last which my danghter made to her country; and to every thing that was. dear to her in the world. As for me, I made my last adieu' to Mussulman society, in the midst of which I had passed thirty years—a whole eX- istence. On our arrival at Pera, we went straight to Madame CaliX, who was impatiently expecting us, for every thing was ready for our departure. In such moments, when one is on the point of taking a final decision, a feeling of strong agitation must Seize on all concerned, be they act- ors, accomplices, oertTitIICSSGS; and accordingly; on this occasion, when we enteredthe house, we found my sister and Carlo in a great state cf agitation, caused no less by the grave responsibility which rested on them than by the decisive and irrevocable step which they knew we were about to take. WE DISG UISE 0 URSEL VES. 3 2 3 With the hurry and excitement which are inevitable 011 such occasions, we laid aside our Turkish dress,and put on the petticoats which are worn by Europeans. A'Isheh, with that light-heartedness which was the charm of her youth, did not appear to be much preocCLipied with either responsibility or danger; she was entirely ahsorbedin the operation of transforming herself from a hcm'um into a lady. The idea of approaching freedom made her forget the dangers which threatened her very life. When our toilet was ended, we bade adieu to my sister and her daughters, and went out into the street, where the sedan-chairs were waiting for us. Carlo help- ed us in, advising us to be very careful to conceal .our features by lowering our veils, and, when every thing was ready, gave the order to start. We passed through the most crowded sheets of Pe1a and Galata;whi1e our chairs doubtless pushed against many who would not have hesitated to attack us, if they had only suspected 1 that we were the individuals concealed behind those curtains. Carlo followed in the distance, carefully watching our progress; as soon as we arrived at the stairs, he joined us again, in order to give his assistance at the difficult of- fice of embarking. .The stairs to which we had gone were close to the custom-house at Galata, and not much frequented; it was a spot admirably-ehoser'i for 0111" em- barkation, and here Carlo had stationed a Maltese boat, under the English flag, which was to convey us to the steamer. On leaving our chairs, we bid adieu to Carlo, with heartfelt thanks for all that he had done for us, and took our places 1n the boat. . The Maltese hoatmen rowed us in a few moments to 324 THIRTY YEARS IN THE HAREM. the steamer, and took us alongside. There was a crowd of Turkish boats and ca'1'ques before the ladder, which had carried merchants and merchandise to the steamer. Among the ca'l'ques were two or three that were there to watch the embarkation, and in each of these was a police officer. rl‘he gendarmes looked hard at us, made an in- spection of our luggage, and allowed us to pass; had they hut known that one of these travelers was nothing less than the daughter of the grand vizier, who can say whatthey would have done to us? Probab] y we should have been made to measure the depth of the Bosporus. As soOn’as we got on board, we at once descended to one of the cabins reserved for ladies, and there we placed ourselves out of sight. It is a. most astonishing fact, that none of the officers of the ship asked to see either our tickets or passports; the clerk merely inquired how far we were going, and seeing that we had no tickets, he gave us the requisite number. These Were the circumstances under which we quitted Constantinople in the autumn of 1866; and here I must conclude that portion of the narrative of my life, of which so large a part was passed in the harem. The six years we have since spent in Europe have been so many years of martyrdom. we have endured hunger, penury, abject misery. We have suffered per- secutions of every kind, conducted with an ingenuity meriting the epithet of diabolical, and prosecuted with a degree of perseverance which indicates the intensest hatred. The object has been to discredit us everywhere; to isolate us from society; to drive us to despair—even to death. Our vicissitudes in Europe, howcvcr-——and they have OUR ES CAPE. 325 been of a most extraordinary kindwmust form the sub ject of a sequel to the present recital of our experiences and misfortunes in the East. 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