[PDF] Ind Turkish Lattices - Forgotten Books

BEHIND TURKISH LATTICES in the baby's ear There is no other christen ing ceremony, except the prayer that aecom panics every act On the eighth day the

[PDF] DEPICTION OF TURKISH WOMEN AND THE HAREM LIFE IN THE

Women (1909), Hester Donaldson Jenkins' Behind Turkish Lattices: The Story of a Turkish Woman's Life (1911), Zeyneb Hanoum's A Turkish Woman's European

[PDF] o?-Continuous, Lebesgue, KB, and Levi operators between vector

16 mar 2022 · Banach operators between locally solid lattices and topological vector The main idea behind erator and KB-operator Turkish J Math

[PDF] Using a maximum entropy model to build segmentation lattices for MT

and Turkish-English translation over state-of- how it is used to generate segmentation lattices, Sec- The intuition behind using lat-

[PDF] Ind Turkish Lattices - Forgotten Books

28530_4BehindTurkishLatticestheStoryofaTurkishWomansLife_10125315.pdf

BEHINDTURKISH

LATTICES

THESTORYOFATURKISH

WOMANSSLIFE

BYHESTERDONALDSONJENKINS

WITH24ILLUSTRATIONS

PHILADELPHIA

J.B.LIPPINCOTTCOMPANY

LONDON:CHA'ITO6°WINDUS

1911

FOREWORD

ANOPENLETTERTOMYTURKISH

DearandNelufer,Nasly,Meliha,Sabiha

andLeila,HammietHanumandNakiehHanum,and theotherTurkishladieswhosehospitalityandacquaint anceIhaveenjoyed

FornineyearsIhavelivedinyourbeautifulcityof

Constantinople,andhavelearnedtoloveTurkeyand

you.Ihavegrievedwithyouoverthedarkdaysthat arepast,andhaverejoicedwithyouoverthewonderful transformationthatJuly1908madeinyourland,and nowIhopewithyouforthehappyfutureofTurkey.

AndfornoonedoIdesirethisfuturemorethan

forthewomenofTurkey,towhomafreegovernment bringsachanceforgrowthandmoreabundantlife.

YouwhomIaddressareeducatedandenlightened

women.Maythedaybehastenedwhenallthewomen ofTurkeyshallreceivethesamedevelopmentasyou"

Peopleinmycountryknowlittleofyours,andperhaps

leastofalldotheyknowtheTurkishwomen.Iwrite thisbookinthedesiretomakemyAmericanfriends acquaintedwithmyTurkishfriends.IIIyacquaintance

FOREWORD

islimitedtowomenofConstantinopleandafewothers;

IamsorryIdonotknowthewomenoftheinterior

Turkishtownsandvillages..Mypictureevenofyou

whomIknowmustbeinadequate;Icannotconvey thecharmofyoursimple,gentlenatures,yourgracious andgracefulmanners,yourlowwarblingvoices,and yourlovelyexpressivefaces.Itisbutacrudethingto tellhowyoulive,whatyouwear,andwhatyoueatand read;but,lackingacreativepen,Imustsatisfymyself withthisanalysisofthelifeofTurkishwomen,inthe hopethatfromthebouquetofhomelydetailsthatI cullformyreadersfromtheVeldsandgardensonthe

Bosphorus,theymaybeabletodetecttheexquisite

aromaofthebeautifulTurkishpersonality. vi

I.BABYHOOD

II.THESCHOOLLIFEOFATURKISHGIRL

III.WHERETHEBROOKANDRIVERMEET

IV.MARRIAGE

V.HUSBANDSANDWIVES

VI.DIVORCE

VII.TURKISHHOUSEKEEPING

VIII.HowATURKISHWOMANAMUSESHERSELF

IX.THEREAPERDEATH

X.RELIGIOUSOBSERVANCES

XI.WORKERSANDBEGGARS

XII.CHARACTERISTICSANDPOSSIBILITIES

ILLUSTRATIONS

ATURKISHLADYINORDINARYSTREETCOSTUME

(CHARSHAF),BUTWITHVEILTURNEDBACKFrontispiece

COMINGOUTOFSCHOOL10

MAKINGTURKISHRUGS18STAMBOUL,FROMTHEBOSPHORUS22

THESWEETWATERSOFASIA40

BEFORETHEMOS"UEOFSULTANAHMED65

CASI'

"UESONTHEUPPERBOSPHORUS76 ATURKISHLADYININFORMALOUT-OF-DOORSDRESS,FORSUMMERRESORTORCOUNTRY78

PLANNINGTHESECONDMARRIAGE83

ATURKISHHOUSE84

ORNAMENTALVVRITINGONATURKISHTOMB87

BUYINGADISHOFICE-CREAM92

BUYINGATTHEDOOR96

OUTFORAWALK103

THESWEETWATERSOFEUROPE105

SHALLIMARRYSOON?106

INATURKISHCEMETERY122

TURKISHCEMETERYATEYOUBONTHEGOLDENHORN124RESTINGINTHECEMETERY129

MOS"UEOFSULTANMEHMEDTHECON"UEROR135

INTERIOROFTHEMOS"UEOFAHMED138

THEMIHRAB,ORALTAR,OFAMOS"UEINBROUSSA152

THEGALATABRIDGE158

ASTREET-SELLERANDGIPSIES170

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

CHAPTERI

BABYHOOD

Wheredidyoucomefrom,Babydear?

OutOftheeverywhereintotheHere.

HOWdiditalljustcometobeyou.7R

GodthoughtaboutmeandsoIgrew.

ABABYisthesamemarvelinTurkeyasinthe

Westernworld.ATurkishmotherwillsitand

gazeatherinfantwithwideeyes,pondering manythingsinherheart,asdidMaryOfold.

Whenagirlbabyisborn,themotherispleased,

foranychildisajoyandawondertoherbut thefatherisinclinedtobedisappointed,fora boybabyissomuchmoredesirablethana girl.Ifasuccessionofgirlsisborntoafamily, oneofthemwillbedressedasaboy,partlyas asentimentalsatisfactionandpartlytocajole fateintosendingthemaboy.AtTurkish weddingsIhaveOftenseen,leaningagainst hermotherSsknee,agirl-facedchildwithlong A

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

curls,butdressedintrousersandaboySsfull costume.WhenIheardthatGulehadgivenbirthtoa child,Iwentimmediatelytoinquireforher.

Hersisterreceivedme,andIwasstruckby

thefactthatinsteadOfwearingherhairina braiddownherback,andbeingslacklydressed withheellessslippers,shehadherhairhand somelyarrangedandwasprettilygowned.

HOWisGuleIasked.

Verywell,Effendim;wonStyoucomein

andseeher?

Ohno,UIrepliedhastily,Icameonlyto

inquire;Iamsuresheisnot5ttoseeanyone.U

Ohyes,sheinsisted,sheexpectspeople

otherladiesarethere,youmustcomein.

Thusurged,Iallowedmyselftobeledinto

thebestbedroom,whereGuleandthenew bornbabylayinstate.Gule,gownedina6uff

Ofwhitelace,layonapinkSilkcoverlet,her

darkheadrestingonapinksilk,lace-trimmed pillow.Atherfeet,inacrib,laythetinymite

Ofhumanitythathadjustenteredtheworld.

Aroundtheroom,somesquattingonthe6oor,

someseatedonchairs,mostofthemsmoking cigarettes,andsomeOfthemtalking,satper hapsVfteenTurkishladieswatchingtheslight movementsofmotherandbabywithdeep interest.Itseemstheycomeearlyontheday 2

BABYHOOD

afterabirth,staymanyhours,thenaresuc ceededbyotherfriends,thuskeepingthesick roomfullOfinquisitivewomenforthreedays,leavingthepoorlittlemotheronlythenights inwhichtofeelherselfalonewithhertreasure;andeventhenanursewatchesherforfeara perishouldpossesseithermotherorchild.

Theygenerallybringpresents,butI,not

knowingOfthecustom,hadbroughtnone.

Thesistergavemeacupofhot-spiced,red

liquidtodrink,thisbeingabeveragespecial tosuchoccasions.AfterpressingGuleSshand,andwhisperingmycongratulations,Ileft,but noneoftheseatedwomenstirred.HadI knowntheTurkishsalutation,Ioughttohave said,Mashallah"long-livedandhappymay itbe"IaskedGulelaterifshedidnot5nd itverytiringtohavesomanywomeninthe roomforsolong.Sherepliedthatasthey werequietshedidnotminditatthetime,but thatafterwardsshefoundherselfexhausted. Sometimesguestsareinvitedforthethirdday,andOfferedacollationandmusic,inwhich casetheyallbringbasketsofsweetstiedup with6owers.WhenwehadlefttheroomI inquiredthebabySsname,andhowitwasgiven.

Selma,repliedthesister;andthebabywas

namedbytheimamoftheparishwhispering wthenameSelma,Selma,Selma,threetimes 3

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

inthebabySsear.Thereisnootherchristen ingceremony,excepttheprayerthataecom panicseveryact.Ontheeighthdaythe youngmothergoestothepublicbathfora ceremonyofpuri5cation.Sheisaccompanied byrelatives,andservantscarryingtowels,brass basins,newgarments,andallthetoiletrequi sitesandbabyisbornebeforetheprocession inhernurseSsarms.Intothebath,beforethe motherentersit,themidwifethrowssome magicmedicaments,andonlyaftermuttering spells,andblowingthreetimes,doesshelet herpatiententerthechamberOfpuri5cation.

Boyslater,sometimesmanyyearslater,

mustbecircumcised,andthisgivesoccasion forasocialgathering,withsweetsandpuppet shows,andperhapsdancing,toamusethe childandtheguests;butthegirlgoesthrough nootherceremonyuntilhermarriage.

Agirlhasonlyonename,whichlastsher

forherlife.WhensheisOldenoughtoreceive thetitle,sheiscalledHanum,whichcorre spondsRtoourMissandMrs.ThusGuleis addressedasGuleHanum,andSelmaasSelma

Hanum.InaddressingaTurkishlady,itis

courtesytosayHanumEVndi,ormorebrie6y

EVendim.Efendimeanslordorlady,and

Efendimismylord,ormylady,ormorelike

MonsieurandMadameinFrench.Thisword

BABYHOOD

EVendimisusedconstantlyinconversation.

Sometimesquiteaceremonywillbeconducted

withSimplythisword,thus

Praybeseated,Effendim,withanindica

tionOfthebestdivan. EWS endimldeprecatinglyfromtheguest. EWS endiml5rmlyfromthehostess.

Effendimacceptstheguest,seatingher

selfandspreadingherhands. EW' endimlwithemphasisofsatisfaction, fromthehostess.

Manyofthenameshaveameaning;thus

MelekisAngel,IVaslyisGraceful,Mihriis

Sun,LeilaisNight,NeluferisLotusblossom,

GuleisRose,andGulistanisRose-garden.

AsWesterncustomsarecreepinginto

Turkey,TurkishladiesareadoptingtheEuro

peancustom,fortheirEuropeanfriends,of takingtheirhusbandSsname.Ihaveafriend whoisalwaysknownamongtheTurks,orto thosewhoaddressherinTurkish,asHammiet

Hanum,butshehasaFrenchVisitingcardon

whichisengravedMadameHouloussiBey.

ATurkishbabyisverycarefullyswathed

andgenerallyfastenedtoaboardresembling asmallironingboard,tokeepitsbackstraight,andoftenitisveiledthatitmaytakenoill fromtheair.InTurkishhouseholdsthere aremanyservants,soBabyofcoursehasa 5

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

dadaornurse,generallyaGreekorArmenian woman.Thechildhasnoperambulatorand seldomgoesout,butwhenshedoessoitis inthearmsofthedada.

ShouldBabybetakenill,Whatcanbedone

tocureher?IfBabySsparentsareverypro gressiveagooddoctorwillbecalled,eithera

Christianphysician,oraneducatedTurkish

physician;butifthefamilyareatallOld fashioned,aMoslempriestwillbecalledto exorcisetheailment.HasBabymumps?

Thepriestwillwriteontheswollenglandsa

versefromtheKoran.HasBabysoreeyes

Thepriestwillbreatheonthesorespots,for

hisbreath,fromconstantrepetitionOfthe

MostGreatName,hasacquiredahealing

power.IfBabyseemsveryweak,itmaybe takentoatekkeh(monastery)Ofdervisheson aThursdayaftertheyhavehowled,andthe holysheikhofthedervisheswilllaythechild onthe6oorfacedownward,andsteponits littlelegsabovetheknees.Thislooksfright ful,andalwaysexcitestouristswhowitness it,butitisreallynotatallpainful,asthe sheikhwearssmoothheellessslippers,and stepsonthesoftpartOfthethighs.There areshopswheremagiccharmsmaybebought foranyailment,intheformofsacredwritings abouttheheart,thehand,thefoot,orwhatever 6

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

ingupchildren.ATurkishchildisgiven food,clothing,andshelter,andmanycaresses, butithasabsolutelynotraining,moralor physical;itjustgrows,likeTopsy.Its parentstalkbeforeitwithabsolutefrankness, sothatitearlyhasasophisticationthatshocks ourmorereservedWesternideas.

AmericaneducationforwomeninTurkey

hasitverymuchathearttomakegood mothersoftheseloving,ignorantWomen,the bestOfwhomlongtobetaughttotraintheir children.

CHAPTERII

THESCHOOLLIFEOFATURKISHGIRL

WHENaTurkishgirlreachestheageof5ve

orsixyears,shemustgotoschool.Shewill probablybeginwithamosqueschool,which isverysimple,somewhatsimilartoadame schoolinanEnglishVillage.

ThehodjaorteacherOfthisschoolwillbe

informedthatthereisanewpupilawaiting himatsuchanhouse,andthitheronemorning hewillbetakehimself,followedbyhiswhole school,walkingintwosbehindhim,thesmallest children5rst,thelargestlast.Theyforma quaintprocession,thelittleboysinfezzesand paddedcalicocoats,thelittlegirlsinlong straightoutergarmentswithsoftvoluminous whitekerchiefsovertheirheadsandshoulders.

Thehodjaandthechildrenarecourteously

receivedbytheparents,andthehodjaisinvited toseathimself.Thenewpupilisplacedon hiskneeandgivenher5rstintroductionto learning.Afterprayerthehodjapullsapaper coveredprimerfromhispocketandOpensit. 9

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

Puttingonhisspectacles,hepointstothe5rst

letterandpronouncesimpressivelyEli];the nameofthe5rstletteroftheTurkishalphabet.

Elif,lispsthechildonhislap.

Beh,saysthehodja;andBeh,repeatsthe

child.Peh,teh,seh,havingbeenpronounced bybothmasterandpupil,thechildiscon sideredtobelaunchedontheseaoflearning, andthe5rstlessonisover.Thenthechildren areallseatedcross-leggedonthe6oor,thenew pupilwiththem,andadeliciousmealOfsweets andpilaj"isgiventhem.Iftheparentsare rich,apresentOfmoneyismadetothehodja, andpiastres,silvercoinsworthfourcentseach, aregiventothechildren.

Whenallthehoneydishesareeatenandthe

little5ngerslickedclean,adonkeyisbrought tothedoor,andthechildismountedonthe gentlegreybeast,seatedonaredvelvetsaddle, andledtotheschool,thehodjastridingbefore herandthechildrenmarchingtwobytwohe hindher.Attheschool,sheisliftedfromher proudpositionhighabovetheotherchildren, andisplacedhumblyonthe6oor,whereshe becomesoneOftheregularpupilsOfthe school,withoutfurtherpersonaldistinction.

TheplanoftheseschoolsisSimple.A

room,orifnecessarytwo,iscrowdedwith littlemattressesonthe6oor,oneachofwhich 10

SCHOOLLIFEOFATURKISHGIRL

sitsalittlepupilcross-leggedbeforeacrude lowpinedeskbigenoughtoholdonebook.

ThehodjasitsinfrontOfthechildren,where

hecanwatchthem.Thecurriculumconsists

OfreadingandwritingTurkish,simpleVgur

ing,sometimesabitofgeographyfromone map,andthereadingOftheKoraninthe originalArabic.Thislasttheydonotpretend tounderstand,buttheylearntoswayfor wardsandbackwards,andread,orhalfintone, thesacredbookinaloudnasalvoice.The teachingisentirelyindividual,therebeingno classwork.Whileonepupilisreadingor writingorcipheringforthehodja,theothers areallstudyingaloud,5llingtheairwitha noisewhichmaybeheardfardownthe street.

Intheseschoolsthechildrenlearntorecog

niseandformtheexceedinglydif5cultArabic lettersusedinTurkish,andtoreadvery simpleTurkish;andbytheconstantreading aloudtheirtonguesacquiregreatglibnessin formingeitherthesoftTurkishsoundsorthe gutturalArabic.Thewaytheywritewould seemverystrangetous.Theyholdthepaper inthepalmofthehandinsteadOflayingiton a6atsurface,andwritewithpointedsticks dippedinthickink,writingfromrighttoleft, withascratchingsound.Afterthewritingis 11

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

5nished,theyshakebluesandoverittoblot it,sothatthelettersstickthickwithsand.

EverypieceOfwritingisbegunbyaSign

thatmeansBismilhzh:intheNameofGod.

TheelementaryTurkishReadersarecurious

books,ofwhichIwillgiveanidea.

The5rstreadingwillprobablybeamoral

lesson,perhapsanaccountofallyourfather andmotherdoforyou,endingwiththestate mentthatGoddoesevenmoreasHegives youyourparents,andtheexhortationtoObey

Himinallthings,asAllahlovesagoodchild,

buthatesanaughtychild.Thesecondread ingwillbearudimentarygeographylesson givingthewordsforworld,continent,hemi sphere,withthenamesAsia,Africa,Europe,

America,andAustralia.Thethirdwillbea

moraltale,suchforinstanceasthatofpolite littleAli,whopickedupacaneforanOld gentlemanandwasrewardedbyasweetmeat ofgenerouslittleSelma,who.havingade licioussweet,gavehalfofittoherbrother; orofnaughtyOrkhan,whowasrudetohis teacher,andwhomGoddidnotlove.A simplelessoninadditionwillfollow,andsome moregeography,andperhapsanaccountOf howfarmerslive,witheverandanonthe moraltaleandtheinjunctiontostudyhard andgrowuptobeagoodmanorwoman. 12

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

TomydearestTeacher

Ifeelobligedtothankyouheartilybecause

yourecommendedmetomakeanEnglish compositiononthesubjectthedescriptionOf myschoollife.SIwishedformanyyearspast towriteabookrelatingtomychildhoodand theearliertimesofmyyoungness,butcould 5ndneithertimenorcouragetobeginthat greatwork.AnorderOfateacherwasneeded.

OnedaywhenIwas5veyearsOld,achild

runningafterbutter6ies,ravaging,devastating our6owergarden,makingpaperboats,launch ingthemwiththenecessaryceremonialinour largepond,walkinginthelongalleysofour gardenwiththedignityandprideOfageneral amonghismen,givingmilitarysalutestothe largetreesonmysides,onedayinmyearliest childhood5lledwithsuchgreatoccupations,myfatherseriouslytoldmethatImustgOto school.Whatwasschool?Ididnotknow perfectlywell.Tomeitmeantasmallroom muchsmallerthanours,personifyingdullness,inwhichchildrenlikemewerenotallowedto play,butwereundercontrolofaISllonsieur

Turbane,whoneverlaughed,neverplayedwith

thechildrenasourmenusedtodowithme, andwasalwaysreadytopunishtheirmost innocentdoings.U

HetellsthenOftheceremonyofentering

SCHOOLLIFEOFATURKISHGIRL

theschool,whichIhavedescribedafewpages above,andcontinueswithanaccountofthe schoolitself.Hiscompositionendswitha prettytaleofboy-and-girlfriendship. TTheclass-roomwas5lledupbychildren ofbothsexes,girlsinonepart,boysinanother, allsittingcross-leggedonthe6oor,andstudy ingaloud.Weentered,allthechildrenrose; theteachersalutedthemandIhastenedto imitatehim,givingmyfamiliarmilitarysalute, thinkingatthemomentofmytrees.Allthe childrenlaughednoisily,sothatthemaster turnedhiseyesonme,and,seeingmyhand liftedupforthesalute,couldnothelpjoining inthelaughterofthechildren.

Iwasplacedinthe5rstclass,immediately

beforethemattressreservedforthehodja, betweentwochildrenrepugnantlydirty;one,anamateurOfhandwriting,usedhisfore5nger wettedinhismouthtowipeoutnearlyevery wordhewroteTimemademeaccustom myselftotheschool.ThelessonsIliked mostweregeographyandhistory.Idisliked theKoranbecauseIunderstoodnothingof theArabicinwhichitwaswritten.Painting wasmybestamusement.OnedayImadea portraitofoneOfthelittlegirlsinourclass.

Ishowedittohershewasexceedinglypleased.

Wewerenomoreforeignersonetotheother.

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

Someweeksafterthisacquaintance,Idrew

herattentionbyaheroicact.

Onedayshehadforgottentobringinkto

school.ShewenttotakeitoutOfthebottle and,notholdingit5rmly,itfell;nearlyall thecontentspouredout,dirtifyingthechair ofthehodjaandalargepartOfthe6oor.The poorlittlegirlbecamedeadlypale.Shehad onlytimetoreturnhastilytoherplacein greatfear,whenthehodjaentered,having heardthenoiseOfthefallingbottle.

Whodidthisaskedthelatterfuriously

inafulminatingvoice.

Thereplywasmine:I,sir.S

Iwasnotcontradictedbymyfellows.The

masterrewardedmyheroicactbyapairof formidableslapsinmyface. TTheincidentmarkedthebeginningOfa deep,truefriendshipwhichexistedbetween

AVfehandmeformanyyears.Sheexercised

averygoodin6uenceuponmylife:herchar acter,herheartweretrulyangelic,andmine grewmild.

Ipassedfouryearsintheprimaryschool.

ThemarksIObtainedinthelastexaminations

weretheverybest.Iwasaveryidleschool boy,butIendeavouredtopreparemyselffor theseexaminationsinthemostperfectway, becauseIwasinahurrytoObtainmycertiV 16

SCHOOLLIFEOFATURKISHGIRL

cateandtoleavethisschool,whereIwasleft friendless.DeathhaddeprivedmeOfmy onlyfriend,AVfeh.Somehumancreatures seemtohaveaccidentallyfallenfromheaven uponearth.Theyareat5rstdesirousOf lookingatandcomprehendingthenatureof menandthingssurroundingthem.Butsoon theircuriosityissatis5ed.Theyfeelastrong dislikefortheworld,andhastentoreturnto theircelestialabode.Shewasthatkindofcrea ture.Hergraveisinmysoul:Icannever forgetherangelical5gure.Suchaninnocent,spotlesslove,feltinthespringOflife,isworthy tobekeptintheheartuntilitslastbeating.U

Itisonlyattheprimaryschoolsthatboys

andgirlsareallowedtobetogether.After ourlittlegirlhas5nishedhercourseatthis school,perhapsshewillgototheSultan

AhmedSchool,theOldestschoolinConstanti

nople,alow-ceiledstonebuildingintheheart ofStamboul,orperhapstotheDar-ul-malumat,aschoolwheregirlslearntoteach.BothOf theseschoolsareexclusivelyforgirls,andare taughtmainlybywomen,afewelderly hodjasormanagersbeingtheonlymenwho areallowedentrancetothepremises.Here thegirlsSitonbenchesandhaverudedesks,herealsoareblackboardsandafewmapsbut ventilationandhygieneareaslittleconsidered 17B

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

asinthemosqueschools.Thecurriculum

Showssomeadvanceoverthemosqueschools,

includinggrammar,arithmetic,Persian,a littleTurkishhistory,andalwayscoursesinem broideryandotherhand-work.Themethods

Ofteachingarescarcelysuperiortothosein

theprimaryschools.Theteachersherekeep ontheircharshafs,withtheveilsturnedback, andthegirlsallwearwhitehead-coverings,be causeOftheoccasionalappearanceOfaman.

Thereisoneso-calledindustrialschoolin

Stamboul,wheretheorphanswhoformthe

studentbodystudyhalfadayandembroider thesecondhalf-day,thesaleoftheirem broiderybringinginenoughtopayfortheir board,bed,andtuition.Inalltheseschools, workissuspendedfortheregularprayers whichareOffered5vetimesaday.

ThegreaterpartOfthegirlsOfConstanti

nopleleaveschoolwhenthey5nishthecourse ofthemosqueschool.Iftheyarethenrich andambitious,theyhaveaFrench,English, orGermangovernessinthehouse;ifthey areunambitiousorpoor,theystudynofur ther.SometimesbytheaidOfgovernessesthe youngladiesbecomequiteaccomplished.I knowaladywhospeaksEnglishexquisitely, andconstantlyreadsit,whoknowsFrench andGreek,whopaintsalittle,andplaysthe 18

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

PierreLotihaswritteninhischarmingstyle

anovelcalledDisenchanted,inwhichhetells ofalargeclassOfeducatedTurkishwomen, whoare5ttedforafreerlifethanthey arepermittedtolead,andwhoareveryrest lessandunhappyunderthecloserestric tionsOfaTurkishwomanSslife.Thereisa gooddealOftruthinthispicture,foralittle knowledgehasalwaysbeenadangerousthing, andthepioneersinlearninghavemanyhard shipstoencounter.ButtheFrenchwriter exaggeratesboththenumbersOfeducated womenandtheirstandardoflearning.The upperclassOf TTurkishwomendonotread

HegelandplayBach,andhavenottrained

philosophicminds.Ifonespeakseverallan guagesandreadFrenchnovelsandplaymode ratelyclassicalEuropeanmusic,sheisfar aboveherfellows.Amongmyacquaintances, therearejusttwoTurkishwomenwhocare toreadphilosophy,orcanunderstandhigher mathematics;oneisHalidehHanum,Rwho graduatedfromtheAmericanCollegeforGirls in1901,andhasstudiedandwrittenbyherself eversince,andtheotherisNazlyHanum,whoisnow(1909Q10)aseniorinthesame college.1Thereareprobablyafewothers;

1Sincetheabovewaswritten,NazlyHanumhastakenherdegreeofBachelorofArtsfromtheAmericanCollegeforGirls

atConstantinople. 20

SCHOOLLIFEOFATURKISHGIRL

perhapsSelmaHanum,sistertoAhmedRiza

Bey,whoisatpresentPresidentOftheCham

berOfDeputies,isamongthem.Shefol lowedherbrothertoParisinheryouthand

Spenttenyearsthere,wherehe,apolitical

exile,wasorganisingtheYoungTurkparty.

Sheisaveryintelligentwoman,withanex

cellentgraspOfpoliticalandeducationalprob lems.AnotherintelligentwomanisFatma

AlichHanum,amucholderwomanthanthose

Ihavementioned,whohaswrittenanoveland

somecharmingdiscoursesonTurkishlife,but

IdoubtherhavinganyinterestinGerman

philosophy.ThediscontentOfwhichPierre

Lotiwritesiscommonenough,fortheinWu

enceOfthepoorerFrenchliteratureonits constantreadershasbeentogivefalseideasof life,toincreasesentimentality,andtoarouse discontent.

ButeventhewomenwhoreadFrenchnovels

formaverysmallminorityinthecountry.

TheaverageTurkishladyisassimpleand

almostasuncontrolledasalittlechild.Her conversationislargelymadeupOfexclama tionssuchasVai,vai,vai"orTAllah,

Allahwhichshewillmutterperhapstwenty

timesinlieuOfreasonablediscourse.Shehas nonotionOfeventhesimplestitemsOfknow ledge.AnAmericanteacherwasoncegather 21

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

ingrootsandplantsina5eld,whensucha womanaccostedher,andaskedherwhyshe pickedthemwhentherewereno6owerson them.TheteachertriedtoexplainthatShe diditinordertostudytheplants,andlearnOf theirlife,andhowtheydifferedfromone another.Thewomanlisteneddully,andthen exclaimed,MayAllahgiveyousense"

Theonlyintellectualactivityinsuchwomen

seemstobecuriosityaboutpersons.When youcrosstheBosphorusinasteamer,ifyou gointothecabinreservedfortheharem,that is,thewomen,youareOftenpliedwithques tions

Wheredoyoucomefrom?

AreyouEnglish

Areyoumarried

Whynot?Youarebeautiful:wouldnSt

yourmotherarrangeamarriageforyou

DOyoulikeConstantinople

HowfarisAmerica

DonStyouthinkyouwilleverget

married

Whydidyougototown?

Whatdidyouget?

SeewhatIbought.

ThenyouwillbeshownthepurchasesOf

onewoman,andinvitedtotakeabitOf anotherwomanSsringOfbread. 22

SCHOOLLIFEOFATURKISHGIRL

Intelligentmendreadtakingsuchwomen

towife.IknewoneTurkwhorebelled againsthavingawifewhocouldnotbeacom paniontohim,and5nallybecamebetrothed toaFrenchwoman.Anotherwell-educated

Turkishgentlemanexpressedhimselftomeas

follows: TDOyousupposeIcouldbehappywitha womanwhohadneveranidea,andcouldonly mutterAllah,Allah,AllahlIwouldlike tomarry,butwehavenowomen5ttobewife toathoughtfulman;IcanStmarryababyi

Thedistancebetweensuchbabiesasthe

uneducatedTurkish°womenandsuchculti vatedwomenasthoseIspokeOfaboveisso greatthatitseemsimpossiblethattenyearsOf goodschoolinganddisciplinecanbridgeit,but suchisthefact.Ishouldliketoquotehere fromacompositionwrittenforthejuniorclass oftheAmericanCollegeforGirlsinConstan tinople,byaTurkishgirl.Itisnotoneof herbestcompositions,butitisonthesubject ofwomenSseducation,andwillatleastshow hercommandOfEnglishandhergeneral thoughtfulness.

WOMENANDTHETURKISHCONSTITUTION

TheTurkishconstitutionhasbroughtabout

agreatmanychanges,onebeinginthesitua 23

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

tionofwomen.Uptonow,noeducationwas considerednecessaryforwoman,andher greatestworkinlifewastobeahousewife; nootherwasfoundto5therexcepttobea nurse.Womenwereconsideredtobemuch lowerthanmenineverything.Theywere supposedtostayathome,deprivedOfevery advantageinlife,whiletheirfathers,brothers, andhusbandsenjoyedthemselvesinevery way;theywereexcusedforignorancewhen therewerenoschoolstodeveloptheirminds.

SomeOfthemworkedveryhardtobring

aboutthisbeneVcentchange.Womenplayed agreatpartintherevolution;theyweremost activemembersOfthecommittee,forthey weretheoneswhocarriedthenewsandletters whenitwasimpossibleformentodoso.

ManyOfthemlefttheirhomes,families,and

children,andinspiteOfthedrawbacksarising fromtheirsex,threwtheirlivesintogreat danger.SomeOfthemwenttoParistowork therewithYoungTurks,andwrotetothe

French,pleadingthecauseofwomenin

Turkey.Thiswasthepast.Howdoesit

comparewiththepresent?Thenewspapers areprintingarticleafterarticlesayingthat womenmustworkandhelpmen.Ihopeitis notonlyinthewayrecognisedbythepast thatweareexpectedtohelpmen.Thenthe 24

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

whererealcomradeshipdwells,whereamanis encouragedtogooninservinghiscountry althoughthatservicemeanssometimesworse thandeath. TNowastowhattheyaredoingorwill likelydoinfuture,Iwilladdafewwords.

Atpresentawarmdiscussionisgoingonin

theTurkishpapersontheTurkishwomenSs position.Somewomenbegantodemand, aftertherevolution,theirrighttolearnand workwiththeircompanionsinlife;whatthey candoinfuturewillbedecidedbythekindOf instructiontheywillget.

IamverygladtobeabletoaddressEng

lish-speakingwomenonbehalfOfallTurkish women.Wearedoingourbesttoplace

Englishin6uenceandtheEnglishlanguage

foremostinourfutureschoolsforgirls.The actualcryOftheTurkishwomentomorecivi lisedwomanhood,especiallytoEnglandand

America,isthis:Yougoandteachthe

savage,youdescendintotheslums.Cometo thisland,wherethemostterriblewant,the wantOfknowledge,exists.Comeandhelpto dispersethedarkcloudsOfignorance.We areworkingeversohardtogetawayfromthe slaveryOfignorance.TheopeningOfschools bytheEnglisheverywhereinTurkeywould bewelcomedbyTurkishmothers.Simple, 26

SCHOOLLIFEOFATURKISHGIRL

healthy,humanteaching,suchasAnglo

Saxonsareabletogive,iswhatwewant.Give

uslivingexamplesOfyourgreatseriouswomen.

Butlettheconditionsbesuchthatpoorer

classesmayhaveitwithintheirpowertosend theirchildrentoschool.Forweasknotfor luxury,orgrandinstitutionswherecomfortis found,butforsimpleteaching.Morethan forbreadandwater,morethananyotherwant, wecryforknowledgeandhealthyAnglo-Saxon in6uence.

HalidehHanumwasaskedalsotowritefor

theTurkishpaperssoonaftertherevolution, andhasbeenawriterofmuchin6uenceever since.Her5rstarticlewasatributetothe

Collegefromwhichshehadreceivedheredu

cation,andwhichhad5ttedherforthework shewasaskedtodo.Iwillclosethischapter ontheschoolingofTurkishwomenbyatrans lationofapartofthisarticle,Showinghow deeplyappreciativeOfeducationaTurkish womancanbe

TOOURCOLLEGE

Inthedarkdayswhenourcountrywas

coveredbyadensecloud,inthemidstOfdis asteranddespair,toyouIliftedmyeyes.

WiththeVnestsubtletiesandthebroadest

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

realitiesOfcivilisationandhumanity,youex tendedknowledgetothedarkesthorizonof

Turkey,0Institution"Andyou,honoured

women,yea,youteachers,wholeftyourown landandyourownpeopletoelevateanden lightenthedarkcornerofthisfreedomless, portionlessland,sacri5cingyourVnestyears inyourpiety;youhavestruggledtobring lighttoOttomansoil,toOttomancivilisation, 5ghtingforlearningandculture.This5rst opportunitytospeakthroughtheOttoman pressthisdayIconsecratetoagreetingtoyou.

ThelargeideasfromwhichTurkeywasshut

out,thegreatfeelingswhichwereopenedup tomeinyourclass-rooms,theideastowhich

Iwasledinyourlibraries,showingmethat

therewasnodifferenceinmenforrace,class, sect,orreligion,theseideasthatmakemelive likeaperson,acivilisedperson,ahumanity lovingperson,thatenabledmetolivelarger thoughts,generousthoughts,thoughtssuchas youwereliving;theseideasIoweyou,O women,andtoeachandallofyouIessayto expressmygratitudeandtoliveaccordingto theprincipleswhichIowetoyourteaching alone.Ilovethatbeautifulwhitebuilding, thoseorderedyellowgardenpaths;Ilovethe gardenthatknewmy5rsthopesanddis couragements.Ilovetheclear-browedpro 28

SCHOOLLIFEOFATURKISHGIRL

fessors,andthefacesOfthosehumble,Old-time servants;Iloveeverycorner,everycorridor, thelongdormitorywhichforyearsheldmy littlewhitebed,andmyloyalcomradeseach andall,Ilove,love,lovetheCollege. 29

CHAPTERIII

WHERETHEBROOKANDRIVERMEET

UNTILtwelveorthirteenyearsOld,alittle

Turkishgirlwearsnothingonherheadorover

herface,unlesscoldweathermakesahoodor softkerchiefdesirable.Thereisnothingto distinguishherdressatthistimefromthat ofanArmenianorGreekchild,butnoonefor aninstantcouldmistakeherforanAmerican child.Exceptthatherskirtsarerathershort, herdressisnotchildishaccordingtoour notionsofsuitablechildwear.Ifshebepoor herdressisabsolutelyplain,buttoneddown thefronttoherankles,andofred6annelor 5guredandwaddedcalico.Ifherparentscan spendmoremoneyonherclothes,sheisdressed inbrocadedsilk,orheavyplushorstriped satin,withruf6esandfallsOflaceandribbon.

Ongalaoccasionsshehasanaigretteora

bunchOfarti5cial6owersorabitofsilver tinseltiedinherhair,whichisallowedtohang inwaves.Irememberseeingaplumpchild

Ofperhapssevenyearsdressedinanorange

WHERETHEBROOKANDRIVERMEET

plushdresswithlargebrownSpotsinit,lace bunchedatherneck,ribbons6oatingfromher waist,aredbowandabluearti5cial6ower withgreenleavesinherhair,stripedstockings showingafewinchesbelowherskirts,march ingalongevidentlyconsciousOfher5nery,and holdingaredballooninherchubbyhand.It wasBairam,andshewasgoingtothenearest maidan,orOpensquare,toplaywithher friends.

ThereareintheTurkishyeartwoBairams

orfestivals,roughlycorrespondingtoour

EasterandChristmas.Oneisaholidayof

three,andoneof5vedays.Theydonot alwayscomeatthesameseasonOftheyear, fortheTurkishyearfollowsapparentsolar timeandthusistwoweeksShorterthanours' .

SOaBairamthatcomesinthespringoneyear,

willcometwoweeksearliereveryyearuntilit isawinterholiday,andthenanautumnholi day.Butthatdoesnotmakeitanylessjoyous; infact,itmaylendvarietytoitscelebration.

The5rstBairamintheyearistheShehir

Bairam,orBairamofSweets.Thedaybefore

thisfestival,whiletheMoslemsarestilloh servingstheirmonthOffasting,boothsare erectedalloverthecityforthesaleofcandy.

Theyspringupinthemiddleofthemain

streetsandobstructtrafVc;they5lltheedges 31

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

Oftheopensquares,andbrightenthetown

withtheirwhitepavilionsandpilesOfgay colouredcandy.Theopensquaresare5lled withrudeswingsandwhirligigs,andhither comeourdecked-outmaidenstoswing,orgo roundandround,orperhapswithascoreof companionstoclimbintoalongwaggonwith 6utteringyellowcurtainsandcushioned6oor, andsittingcrosslegged,todriveslowlyupand down.Whatfuntheydohave,andhow manysweetstheydoeat"Therearesticks

Ofwooddippedinaredstickysweetuntila

glueyballformsontheend;therearelittle roostersandcatsOfredpaste;therearerings

Ofcreamcandy,andgumdrops,and5gpaste,

andcocoanutchip,eachkindmoreluscious thanthelast.Onthatdaypeoplesend basketsOfsweetstotheirfriends;andthe butcherandthebaker,toremindtheirpatrons

Oftheeternal5tnessOfbaksheesh,sendthem

roundbasketsofcheapcandycoveredwith greenorredmosquitoveiling,andtiedup withaWower.Alittlegirlcanhavethemost enjoymentinthemaidan,withotherchildren, butamoredemureformOfentertainmentis goingtomakeBairamvisitswithAna(Mama)andmodestlytakingbutonesweetateach house.

ThelaterBairamistheCourbanBairam,

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

Karaguez.Karaguez,literallyTBlackEyes,

isaTurkishherosomethingbetweenPunch andBluebeard.Hisstoryisportrayednightly inRamazanbymeansOfpaper5gures,jointed

SOastopermitactivity,wholeapanddance

andsaluteoneanother,thenknockeachother over,beforealittlewindow,tothehugedelight

Ofthechildren.Theaudiencesitonboards

putoverstools,oronricketychairs,andlisten tothecoarsedialogueinthemincingvoice

Ofthemanagerofthepuppets,andwatchthe

littlefellowsgothroughtheirmanoeuvres behindthetransparentscreen.Betweenacts theyeatpeanutsandlistentothescraping musicOftheootsandVddles,orifverytired, foritisnowlongaftersunset,theyfallasleep inBabaSsarms,tobewakedwhendear,funny

Karaguezreappears.

WithsuchjoyisalittlegirlSslife5lled.

Sheisfreetoplaywithgirlsandboys;she

maygoaboutwithBabashehasfreerangeOf boththeharemwhereAnalives,andtheother partofRthehouse,theselamlik,whereBaba lives.AndR sheisfreetorunbareheadedin the5elds,liftingherlittlefacetothesunshine.

ThencomesachangeAnalooksatherand

saysSheisgrowingbig,shemustputona chars/iaf.Oh,howshehatesit"Thechar shafisasilkcloakcomingtoherankles,and 34

WHERETHEBROOKANDRIVERMEET

reachingupoverherhead,hidingherhair.

Thatisbadenough,foritrestrictshermove

ments;butthatisnottheworst.Dropping fromthechars/iafoverherfaceisahorridthick veil,throughwhichtheworldlooksdark.She issureshecanneverkeepitdown.How gailySheusedtoskipoverthehillstoschool, leavingherservantfarbehindNowshe mustwalkdemurelyasbecomesalittlelady, andshethinksthesunwillneverlookbright again.Shehashoweversomedayswhenshe thinksitis5netobegrown-up,andlooks withpityonherfriendswhoarestilllittle girls.OnherlittleboyfriendsShenever looksagain.Herlifeishenceforthinthe harem,andshewillneverspeaktoanother manexceptherfatherandherbrother,and whenshemarries,herhusband.ATurkish girlhaspeculiarreasontostandwithreluc tantfeetontheShoresOfwomanhood.

ThewearingOftheveilisnotenjoinedby

theKoran;womenhadmorefreedominthe

ProphetSsdaythantheyhaveatpresent.The

coveringOfawomanSsface,andmoreespeci allythehair,isatraditionwiththeTurks,so strong,however,thatithasalltheforceOfa religiouslaw.Inthecountryawomanmay wearaSilkcloakwithoutthecapeoverthe head,butsimplyalight,whitekerchiefover 35

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

headandshoulders,butshewouldbedeemed exceedinglyimmodestshouldsheletalockOf herhairescapefromherbashiortaorhead covering.OnespringIvisitedaTurkish housewhichwaswellprotectedfromthestreet, butwhoseverandahwasoverlookedbyaneigh bouringhouseinhabitedbyGreeks.Myhostessoccasionallycametotheverandahin herhousedress,whichgreatlydistressedher goodgrandmother.TNigiuar,Nigiuar,she wouldgroan,Twheredoyouexpecttogo whenyoudie,ifyouletthatGreekmansee yourhair?Nigiuarwouldlaughandputon herbashiorta.

Whenagirlhasputonhercharshafsheis

marriageable.SOlongassheiskeptinschool, sheherselfthinkslittleaboutmarriage,al thoughherparentsareprobablyonthelookout forasuitablehusbandforher;butassoon asSheleavesschool,herfancylightlyturns tothoughtsOflove,andshedreamsOfthe herowhowillmysteriouslycomeintoherlife.

Herwildfreemotionsbecomedemure,her

voicetakesOnacooingsound,hereyemelts intenderness.Sheisgettingreadyforher mate. 36

CHAPTERIV

MARRIAGE

AMOTHER,ofcourse,desiresthebestpossible

husbandforherdaughter;buthowcanshe 5ndhimForshe,likeherdaughter,seesno men.FirstOfallshegoestoherfriendsand asksabouttheireligiblesons,andlistensto theirglowingreportsOftheirsonsSvirtues.

Butif,aftersiftingwhattheysay,shedoes

notfeelsatis5edwiththepicture,shewill gofurtherandaskotherfriends,andmayat lengthpossiblybereducedtocallingapro fessionalmatch-makertoheraid. Sometimesthesearchisquicklyrewarded,andmorethanonesuitablecandidatepresents himself.InthatcasesthegirlSstastemaybe consulted.MyfriendMezidehwasgivenher choiceOftwophotographs.One,thepicture ofayoungShereef,thoughtfulandinteresting, pleasedherverymuch,andshechosehim,but shelongedtoseehimself.Onedayhecame tothehousetomaketheproperbusiness arrangementswithherfather;shepeepedfrom 37

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

thelatticewindowsashepassedunderthem,butcaughtonlythemosttantalisingglimpse

Ofherbetrothed.SOshebeggedhersister

Belkis,whohadnotyetputonthecharshaf,tomakeanexcuseforenteringtheroom wherethemenwereseated,andtoleavethe doorOpeninapparentcarelessness,sothat

MezidehmightseetheoriginalOfthephoto

graph.Belkiswasmorethanwillingtorun intotheroom;butalasforMezidehSshopes, inhereagernessthechildSlammedthedoor behindher,andMezidehwasagainshutOff fromherbetrothed.Sheneverlookedinto hiseyesuntilheliftedherweddingveilfrom herface,butshelovedhimwiththat5rst look,andisstillalovingandhappywife.

MezidehSsexperienceinnotseeingtheman

shemarrieduntilafterthemarriageceremony usedtobethegeneraloneinTurkey,andis stillverycommon;butinmoreadvanced familiesacquaintanceafterbetrothal,oreven beforebetrothal,isoccasionallypermitted.

RabiehRwas

Rpermittedtoknowandlearnto careforherhusbandbetweenthebetrothal andthemarriage.SheandBeshadread together,andbecamegoodfriendsinthesix monthsthatprecededtheirmarriage.SalihaSs fatherpermittedHusseinBeytocourther whileshewasstillinschool,andshethought 38

MARRIAGE

shewasdoingwelltomarrytheonlymanshe knew,andonewhoknewthatshewasan educatedwoman.Themarriageturnedout happily,buttherewereseveralyearsOfad justmentneededbeforetheyreallyunderstood andlovedeachother.Itseemedasifthe formalcourtshiphadneverreallyacquainted thematall.

Selmawasbroughtupinalargehousehold,

withtwoboycousins.Whentheygrewup, herparentsbetrothedhertooneOfthem,but shepreferredtheother,andbrokeherengage menttoFerdiinordertomarryOrkhan, formingareallovematch,amostunusual case,beingtheonlyTurkishmarriageI everheardOfthatwasnotarrangedforthe brideThechancesofhappiness,however,in marriagesthusarranged,seemalmostasgreat astheyareincountrieswheretheyoung peoplechooseforthemselves.Betrothalpre sents,suchassilverhandQmirrorsandsnuff boxes,areOftenexchanged,anditusedtobe thecustomforthegroomSsmothertoOffer gum-dropstothebride,oneOfwhichShe wouldbiteinhalf,sendingtheotherhalfasa lovetokentothegroom.

TherearetwoceremoniesOfmarriageQthe

legalandreligiousceremony,andthesocial ceremony.Attheformer,thebrideisnever 39

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

present,andthegroomRrarely,butbothare representedbyproxies.Thetwofathersor guardiansarepresent,andtheimamOfthe parish.AnimamisanOf5cialOfbothchurch andstate,beingpartpriestandpartnotary public,andinbothcapacitiesOWiciatingat allmarriagecontracts.Atthismeetingthe brideSsdowryissettled,andthemarriageis legalised,andconsecratedbyprayer.After thisthecontractingpartiesarelegallymarried, andmaydispensewithanyfurtherceremony,as indeedHassanandBelkisdid,andwidowsor divorcedwomenusuallydo;butmostcouples preferthesocialceremonybeforetheytakeup theirlifetogether.Iwilldescribethe5rst

TurkishweddingthatIattendedinCon

stantinople.

ATurkishweddingwherethepartiesare

ofhighrankisaninterestingsight,andone thatEuropeansinConstantinoplearealways desiroustowitness.Invitationstothemare, however,dif5culttoObtain,somyfriendandI consideredourselvesfortunatewhenonecame tousthroughanArmeniangirl,astudentin theAmericanCollegeforGirls.TheGover norOfAdrianoplewastomarryhisnephewto thedaughterofanotherPasha,andZabelle, whosefather,thoughanArmenian,ishighin

Turkishemploy,receivedanurgentinvitation

MARRIAGE

tobepresentatthewedding.Assheneeded chaperons,weweregladtoactinthatcapa city.

Theweddingwastotakeplaceatnine

OSclockinthemorning,inBeylerbeyonthe

Bosphorus.Wearrayedourselvesinourbest

garments,takingcare,however,toavoidblack, whichtheTurksconsideradiscourteouscolour.

ThehousewasoneOftheenormous,unpainted

onesthataresocommonhere,surroundinga prettygarden.Intheupperstorywerethe roomsnewlyfurnishedforthebrideand groom.Whenweentered,theGovernorSswife, youngandattractiveinaParisiangownOf lilacbrocadeandchiffon,greetedZabellemost cordially,andaddressedusintrueOriental style,tellingusthatwemustfeelasifwewere athome.Weweregivenseatsinthebig roomontheupper6oor,whereweregathered themostcuriouscrowdofwomenIhaveever seen.The5rstimpressionwasOfgreat splendouroffabrics,contrastingstrangelywith thebarenessofthelargeroom.Thenone begantonoticethegrotesquestyleOfthe gowns.Afewwereelegantandwell-Vtting, butmostOfthemwereOfacutOfwhichyou couldnotevendream.NeverbeforehadI seensomanyrichandgorgeousbrocades,stiff 41

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

withtheirweightOfsilverandgoldthreads.

Beforethemorningwasover,theroomcon

tainedagownOfeverybrightcolourknownto man.Theyweremadealmostinvariablywith longtrains;butthesetrainsweremoreOften thannottuckedupintobelts,producingany thingbutadigni5edrearview.Thecom moneststylewasthatOfashort,ill-Vtting,double-breastedbox-coat,thoughthisstylevied inpopularitywithasortOffull,roundwaist withno5tatall,separatedfromtheskirtby whatseemedlikeastringtiedroundthewaist.

SomeOfthewomenwerefat,andbeingguilt

lessOfstays,theyrolledoutingreatfoldsover thecordorbeltthatcon5nedtheirwaists.

Thecuriousjacketeffectwasevidentlyone

steptowardsa5tteddress.Therewereafew décolletégownswithwell-cutskirts.

Almosteveryoneworerichjewels,some

Ofthemhavingonaconsiderablefortunein

diamondornaments.Mostworeear-rings, thepopularstylebeingthosewhichdepended nearlytotheshoulders.Therewereonlya fewglovedhandsandthese,aswellasthebare hands,werecoveredwithdazzlingrings.On theheadsOfallthewomenwhoweredistinctly

Turkishindresswereperchedlittletoque

likecapsmadeOfchiffonorsilkinartistically laidon.Theytendedtowardtheshadeof 42

MARRIAGE

thegown,butrarelyreachedit.Onlythe exceedinglyrichcouldhaveaffordedsuch splendidcostumesasthesewomenworecom placently;onlythetrulymedievalcouldhave originatedthem.

Soonafterourarrival,aservantapproached

withcigarettes,butZabellewavedheraway, andshedepartedtoOfferthemtothemore fashionablewomen.Thenfollowedaservant withagreatsilverVligreetrayonwhichstood largegobletstomatch,two5lledwithapink sweetmeatlikethe5llingOfchocolatecreams, andtheotherwithwaterandspoons.We tookaspoonfulOfthesweetmeat,puttingitinto ourmonthatonceandreturningthespoonto thegobletOfwater.

Afterthesecourtesies,weweretakento

inspecttheroomsthathadbeenfurnishedfor thebridalcouple.TheywerethreeinnumberQtwosmallsalonsandthebridalchamber.

Theformerwerefurnishedinwhattheycon

siderEuropeanfashion,thatis,witharowOf upholsteredchairsandcouchesroundthewalls, andrugsontheWoorsQnothingelse.The chamberwasOfgreaterinterest;itcontained alargebed,tomountwhichafootstoolwas needed,andotherEuropeanfurniture.The beddingwasmagni5cent,allOfitembroidered deeplyinanexquisitedesigninsilver,evento 43

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

the5nesheetOfrichwhitesilkwhichhung belowthespread.Bolsters,pillows,&C.,allOf thesameelegance,coveredthebed.Iwas disturbedtodiscoversomelittleblackSpecks onthesesumptuous5ttings,andstartedto blowthemOff,butwasstoppedbyZabelle.

DonSt,Ushesaid;Ttheyaresesameseedsto

keepOfftheEvilEye.

Thefootstoolandtowelcoverwerealso

embroideredinsilver,andtwopairsofwhite andsilverslippersstoodunderthebed.An arrayOfpresentsoccupiedonecornerOfthe room,andonatablelayneatlyfoldedthe clothesthegroomwouldwearonthesecond dayOfthefeasting,cappedbyhisstarched shirtandtie.Hisnight-clothes,Ofstriped whitesilk,laybesidethem,andonthebedlay thebrideSsexquisitenight-gown,ofsilkto matchhis.ThedressShewouldwearonthe followingday,arose-silkcreation,hungona dress-forminthemiddleOftheroom.We exclaimedTMashallah(Godbepraised")and

Clio/eguzelI(Verybeautiful1)severaltimes,

andthenmovedawaytoallowotherstogaze andadmire.

Wenextseatedourselvesinthelargehall,

andwatchedtheguestsarriveItwasa curioussight,andthoroughlymedievalQthe gorgeousbrocadesandjewels,theutterabsence 44

MARRIAGE

ofanyattemptatsociability,butinitsplacea stiffsittingabouttheroom,thewholeObjectOf whichseemedtobetoseeandbeseen,thelow salaamsOftheenteringwomen,andthevary ingdegreesOfrespectshowntolowerorhigher rank.Whenanespeciallygrandpersonen tered,thewomenwouldriseandattemptto scoopwiththeirhandsbelowtheirskirts,a salaamnotnearlysogracefulasalessprofound one.TheOrdinarysalute,ortemenaS ,consists intouchingtheheart,thelips,andthebrow, withthehand,intokenOftheirbeingatthe serviceOftheonesaluted.

ManyOfthewomenhadtheirhairstained

withhenna,varyingfromshrimppinktoscarlet incolour.Inoticedpresentlythattheseseemed tobeelderlywomen,andZabelleexplained thatgreyhairsunVttedaMoslemfrompraying, soshewasobligedtoresorttohennainher

Oldage.Anythingmorecuriousinappear

ancethanoneOftheseOldwomen,wrinkled, toothless,pale,withscarletlockssurmounted byatoqueOfsomegayshade,theirshapeless bulktrickedoutinbillowsofpricelesssilk, and6ashingwithdiamondsanduncutemeralds, whileshepuffedcloudsOftobaccosmokefrom hernose,Icouldnotwellimagine.OneOld creaturecamerollinginwithallthecom placencythataParisgowncangive.But 45

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

alasforourrisibles,thecostumewasnothing butaroomgown,alacenégligée,entirely unsuitedforanyplacebutoneSsownroom.

Whenwehadsatforanhourormore,and

theroomshadbecomecrowded,weheardthe approachoftheweddingparty.Itseemsthat thebrideisbroughttothedoorinacarriage, andtherethegroommeetsher,andtakingher hand,leadsheruptothestate-roomthrough theranksOfguests.Thewomenstoodon chairs,andbecauseamanwasenteringthe harem,andtheyhadnoveils,theylaidtiny handkerchiefsontheirheads,andthussatis Vedconventions.Thebridalcouplepassed through,andenteringthebestroom,closed thedoor.Herethegroomremovedtheveil, andlookedforthe5rsttimeonthebrideSs face;thenhepassedoutquietly,andeveryone crowdedintoseethebride.

Butwehadgazedatherlovelinessforonly

afewminuteswhenanexcitementarose.A blackeunuchwitha5nedecorationonhisbreast pushedthroughtherooms,andannouncedher HighnessoneofthedaughtersOftheSultan,andsaidthatshemustseetheceremony.SO thegroom,whohadgonetotheselamlik,was recalled,andledbytheeunuch,thebridal processiontookplaceasecondtime.

Thiscuriouslyinadequateceremonyis

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

began.Wedinedatthesecondtableafterthe

SultanSsdaughterhad5nished.Suchabund

anceQandallgood.Wehadninecourses, exclusiveOfhors-dS oeuvreandfruit;thickVsh soup,thenmutton,thenpastrywithmeatin it,followedbysweetpastry,thenadishOf beans,thenchicken,thenblanc-mangemade ofpowderedchicken-breast,nextstuffedegg plant,followedbyaqueerjelly,andlastly thedishthatcloseseverywedding,ricepilafwithanotherkindOfpilaVPstrongly6avoured withsaffron.Weaterapidlyandnoonetalked;forit isbadlucktotalkwhileeating.Thegood naturedwomenreachedacrossthetablefor anythingthattooktheirfancy,speareddainties withtheirforks,spreadouttheirelbows,and attheendOfthemealgobbledupthefruit fromtheepergnewiththeir5ngers.Naturally theyneededwashingafterthat;sothesilver bowlandgracefulpitcherandsoapthatwere

Offeredwereuseful.Weomittedthiscere

mony,~butacceptedtheperfumethatwas scatteredoverusaswereascendedthestairs.

Musicinthegarden,whichthewomen

watchedthroughthelattices,completedthe entertainmentfortheday.Theaffairtook ussixhOIIrs:Isupposetheotherguests stayeduntilsunset. 48

MARRIAGE

OnthatdaygreatkettlesOfpilaj"are

cookedanddistributedtothepoorwhochoose tocallforit,andthedoorsofthehouseare

Opentoanywomanwhowishestocomefor

pilafortoseethebride.

Ihavesinceattendedotherweddingswhere

thegownsweremorewesternandthetable mannersmuchbetterthanatthisone.The graciousnessOfthehostisalwaysbeautiful.

SometimesthefatherOfthebrideloosensa

girdlefromhisdaughterSswaistintokenof resigningthepossessionOfhertoanother.It isalsousualforthegroomasheleavesthe bride,intokenOfpleasurewithherappearance, totossahandfulOfsilvercoinstothecrowd, whoscrambleforthemeagerly.Theyoung girlspresentclusteraroundthebride,and acceptfromherhandsabitOfthreadofthe silvertinselhangingbesideherface,asapro miseOfaspeedymarriageforthemselves.

Turkishweddingsusedtolastthreedays,but

atpresentareusuallycon5nedtooneday.

TheyaresometimesOfgreatsplendour.I

wasinvitedlastyeartoaweddingforwhich thebrideSsfatherhadsenttoEnglandfor adiamondtiaraworthWhenthe tiaracame,however,hewasdissatis5edand orderedforheramoremagni5centone.

Atonetimetherewasanattempttopass

49D

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

asumptuarylawrestrictingtheexpensesOf weddings.Thislawfailedtopass,butIwill givesomeofitsprovisions,asanindicationOf theoutlayitwasintendedtocheck.ArticleI. abolishedbetrothalpresents,andlimitedwed dingpresentstothevalueOf100piastres(about

18shillings),500piastres,or1000piastres,ac

cordingtothemeansOfthegivers.ArticleV. limitedtheweddingdinnertosoup,saffron pilaj,and5veotherdishes.ArticleVI.aimed todiscourageostentatiousexpenditurebyfor biddingthebrideOrthegroomtopaymore thantheregularpriceattheprenuptialbaths.

ArticleVII.obligedthebridetobuyherown

cosmeticsandornaments,notallowingthe groomtogivethemtoher.ArticleVIII. forbadeluxuriouspreparationsinthebridal chamber.ArticlesIX.,X.,andXI.restricted themarriageentertainmentandespeciallyex cluded5reworks.Finally,ArticleXII.ordered theconjugalestablishmenttobe5ttedtothe meansOfthenewlyweddedpair.Among thesesumptuarylawswasoneSpeci5cationof quiteadifferentnature,onethatshowsthe lowestimateOfawifeatthetimewhenthe customexisted.Thebride,itstates,maynot bemarkedwithasteelthread,thatis,branded.

Thesesumptuarylawswerenotpassed,but

intheexistingTurkishlawtherearesome 50

MARRIAGE

curiousgeneralSpeci5cationsconcerningmar riage.Marriageisregardedasmeritoriousfor thenormalman,butheisSlightlyrestricted inhischoiceOfawife.Hemaynotmarrya non-existentbeing,suchasamermaidora djinn(thegeniiOftheArabianNights),nor mayhemarryapaganthatis,hiswifemust beaMoslem,aChristian,oraJewess.A manSswifeshouldbeinferiortohiminage, fortune,anddignity,butsuperiorinmanners,politeness,modesty,andbeauty.Thislast seemsaverypleasantplan,butalittledif5cult

Ofexecutionattimes.LadiesOftheroyal

familyhavetomarrybeneaththeirsocialdig mity;butthepashawhoishonouredbythe handOfaprincessmaybeveryunfortunate, fortheprincessmaybeuglyorill-tempered, sheisalwaysexacting,andherhusbandisfor biddentotakeanotherwifetocomforthim.

TheSultanSswivesareneverOfhisrank,one

OfhistitlesbeingSonOfaSlave.Awed

dingmaynottakeplaceatprayertimenor duringRamazan,themonthOffasting.

Thelawordainsthatwhenavirginisin

formedOfhermarriage,Shemustinstantly declareherOppositionbeforewitnesses,orshe losesherrighttodecline,andfurtherstates thatmarriagebyforceorbyjokeisvalid,onlyaverbalconsentbeingnecessary. 51

CHAPTERV

HUSBANDSANDWIVES

THEquestionOfpluralmarriagesisonethat

hasagreatinterestforpeoplewhoarestudy ingTurkishconditions.

TheKoraniclawallowseverymantohave

fourwivesifhedesires,butonthecondition thathetreatthefourinexactlythesame fashion,givingtoeachoneasmuchashedoes toanyoneOftheothers.Thisusedtobean easycondition,inthedayswhenawoman livedthesimplelifeandhadnopossessions butsilksandjewels.Ifthenonewifehada beautifulturquoisering,itwaseasytogive turquoiseringstotheotherwivesifachelebi (masterOfthehouse)purchasedarichBrusa silkforRone,hecouldaffordtopurchasehand someSilks'forall.Butconditionshave changed;womenhavehigherstandardsOf living,anditcostsmuchmoretokeepawife inConstantinoplethanformerly;moreover,a husbandislegallyboundtosupportawifeac cordingtoherstation.Ifnowadaysaman 52

HUSBANDSANDWIVES

hasfourwiveswithEuropeantasteshemust beveryrichtogratifythem.Hemaybeable tobuyonegrandpianobuthardlyfour;he mayengageanexpensivegovernessforone wife,butcannotsupportseveralgovernesses.

SOthereareeconomicreasonswhyaTurkish

gentlemanShouldtaketohimselffewerwives thaninthepast.

Thiseconomicreason,however,doesnot

holdforthelowerclasses.OnedayIwas rowedontheBosphorusbytwoVne-looking peasants,oneelderlyandoneyoung.Iasked theOldermaniftheywerefatherandson.

Herepliedthattheywere,andthathehad

severalsons.Allchildrenofonemother?

Iasked.Ohno,hehadawifeinConstanti

nople,whocookedforhimandseveralsons, andkepttheirlittlehome;thenhehadtwoin thevillageinthecountrywherehewentwhen thewinterwastoocoldforopenboatsinthe

Bosphorus.Didtheycosthimmuch?Oh

no,Janum(sweetheart).Theyworkedfor him,andkepthiminthewinterwhenhis caiquewasofnouse.Threewiveswerevery niceforaman,theyallhelped.Butthereare notenoughwomeninTurkey,evenwiththe importationOfslaves,foreverymantohave severalwives,andeverywomanpreferstobe the5rstoronlywife. 53

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

Anotherreasonforthedecreaseinthe

numberOfwives,inthecoastcitiesatleast,is thegradualturningofpublicsentimentaway frompolygamy.TheTurkshaveseenhow

Europeansregardpluralmarriages,andthey

begintobeashamedOfthem.Ionceaskeda

TurkOfmyacquaintanceifhisfatherhad

severalwives.Hedrewhimselfuphaughtily,

Iknownoonewhohasmorethanonewife,U

heanswered.Ithinkhemusthavereferred tohisownsocialsetexclusively,forIchance toknowmanypluralmarriages;butcertainly thereweremoreinthepastgenerationthan thereareatpresent.Forinstance,Iknowa sweetladywhoisherhusbandSsonlywife,and whoseestablishmentisjustlikeaWestern home;butherfatherhadhalf-a-dozenwives andodalisquesQCircassian,Turk,andeven negro.

PerhapsthestoryOfVeVkBeySssecond

marriagewillgiveyouanideahowacon scientiousmodernTurkhascometofeelabout pluralmarriages.VeVkBeyhadapretty,doll likewife,whomhelovedtenderly,andby whomhehadtwochildren.Oneofhis childrenstayedagreatdeal;withhergrand mother,andthitherheusedtogotoseeher orfetchherhome.Atherhouselivedalady totallyunlikeMadameVeVkBey,plainbut 54

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

Theplacewasverybeautiful,consistingOf

courtyardaftercourtyardwithmarblepave mentsandrunningfountains,Offeachcourt yardmanyroOms,Oftenopeninthecourt-side.

HereIsawscoresofwomenQIbelievethere

weresaidtobeninety-VveQallinnégligéeand allregardingmeverycuriously.Ofcourse theywerenotthewivesOfonemannor

Ofseveral,butwereallthewomenfolkOfa

patriarchalfamily,Sisters,cousins,andaunts.

ThisfamilywasArabic,however.IknowOfno

suchlargeestablishmentOfTurks.Wherethe wivesliveinseparateestablishmentsjealousy isOftenthereason.IknowanEnglishwoman whomarriedanobleTurkwhohadoneother wife.ThiswifewasShockedandincensedat herhusbandSsmarriagewithaGhiaur(an in5del),andretiredindudgeontoherfamily.

Herhusbandwentafterherandentreatedher

toreturn,assuringherthatshewasthemother

Ofhischildrenandhisrealwife.Sheconsented

tohiswishesprovidedthatTthatotherwoman

ShouldbekeptoutOfherSight.Hewasnot

awealthyman,butheputtheEnglishwifein alittlekioskinthegarden,whiletheTurkish ladykeptthehouse,andhedividedhistime betweenthem.ThelasttimeIheardOfthem thetwowiveshadbecomefriendsandwere constantlytogether. 56

HUSBANDSANDWIVES

OftentimesafamilyOfseveralwivesand

manychildrenseemveryhappytogether,the wivesfeelingtowardseachotherlikeSisters, apparently.Onegirl,whosefatherhadthree wives,toldmeshewasverylonesomewhen

She5rstlefthome,foritwasSOjollyand

pleasantintheirlargefamilythatasmallfamily seemeddulltoher.

ManyofthewivesOfTurksarenotthem

selvesTurkish.TheyareoccasionallyPersians, morerarelyChristiansbybirth,andveryoften

CircassiansfromtheCaucasusmountains.In

thatcountrytheparentlooksonabeautiful daughterasavaluableasset,forhecansell hertoConstantinople,andSheisequallyeager togo,forinhernativemountainsshecanbe butadrudge,whileinConstantinopleshemay hopetoentersomepashaSsharemandbecome aVnelady,livinginluxuryandwaitedonby manyservants.Therearecertainwomenin thecity-capitalwhosebusinessitistotrain suchgirlsfortheirfuturelordsandhusbands.

Theyteachthemaidenstomakethemselves

beautifulwithVnger-nailsstaineddarkred,eyesdarkenedbykohl,Skinsoftenedbybaths andhaircarefullytended,thentheyteachthem todanceorplaymusicalinstruments,andifthe pupilsShowadesireforit,theymaylearn toreadandwrite.Thesewomensometimes 57

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

becomeSlaves,andOftenaremadelegalwives with5nesocialpositions.

SuchawomanwasGulestan.Shehad

beentakenfromthistrainingestablishmentand giventotheSultan,whereshehadwaitedon hiswives.Incourseoftimehepresentedher toapasha,whomarriedherShewasvery happywiththepashauntilonedayhewas toldhemustgointoexile.Whenhewent totheboattoembarkforhisvoyage,Gulestan waswithhim.Thepolice,whowatchedevery outgoingvessel,objectedtoherboardingthe steamer.Shedrewherselfuptoherfullheight andassumedamajesticdemeanour.WhatI didnotourPadishagivemetothismanto behiswife,andShallInotaccompanyhim whomIlove?UThepolicefellback,and

Gulestanaccompaniedherpashatohisplace

ofbanishment,remainingwithhimuntilhe diedthere.

Thereisonethingtobesaidforpolygamy

inTurkeyQitseemstoresultinfewerillicit unionsRthaninEuropeandtherearenoillegiti matechildren.AllamanSschildrenhavethe samelegalrights.Therearemanyhappy marriagesandcontentedhouseholdsinTurkey, although,aseverywhere,therearesomemiser ablemarriages.Occasionallyawomancan notendureapluralmarriage.Suchawoman 58

HUSBANDSANDWIVES

wastheCircassianMihri,whosestoryIwill relateatsomelength.

ThedetailsasIhavegiventhemdonotall

belongtoMihriS sstory,butareinthemselves true,asisthewholestory.

MIHRI,THECIRCASSIANGIRL

Eveninagoldencagethenightingaledeploresitsnativeland.UQTurkishProwl).

Whenthefamilyhad5nishedeatingtheir

beanstewfromtheironpotsetonthe6oor, theyallleftthewindowlessearthencellarex ceptthemother,whoputasideaportionfor

Mihri.

T7hensheistiredwanderingoverthe mountains,Shesaidtoherself,shewill comehomehungry.

ButMihrididnotreturnformanyhours.

Thehutinwhichshelivedwithherparents

andbrotherswasontheoutskirtsOfthevillage

OfMlety,intheheartOftheCaucasusmoun

tains.Themudcottage,onwhoseroofa neighbourSscowruminated,whileanotherhut roseaboveandbehinditonthehillside,was darkanddirty,andtherestless,dreamygirlOf 5fteencouldnotbeartostayinornearitlonger thaneatingandSleepingrequired.While hermotherspunintheclayplotbeforethe 59

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

house,shewasfarawayfromthesordidvillage, andfedhersoulonthegrandeurOfthemoun tainsandtheexhilarationofthepureair.

Thisafternoonshehadwalkedfarthrough

thevalley,takingthewell-pavedGeorgian roadaslittleaspossible,preferringratherto scramblelikeagoatovertherocksandalong thegrassySlopes.SometimesShewouldlook downontheroadandwonderaboutthe travellersthatpassedbystaidlyinstage-coach orontheirownbeasts.Whatwastheworld whithertheswarthyPersianmerchantwas takinghiswaresTOwhommightthatlong haired,black-robedRussianpriestbehasten ing?Therewereladiesinthatcarriage,in beautifulfursandfeatheredhatssuchasshe hadneverseen.InwhatkindOfaworlddid suchladiesdwell?Sheglanceddownather patched,raggedfrock,whichhadbeenOld beforeShewasborn;thenwithashrugshe dartedOffintothehillsawayfromthesepeople,whoafterallwerenothingtoher.Herfriends werethebrawlingstream,towhichshemust climbmanyfeetdown,forithadcutdeepinto thevalley;thetumblingwaterfalls,whoseicy streamshelovedtoquafffromherlittlehands anddashoverherface;the6ocksOfwoolly sheep,whoseSilly,waveringmovementsshe soOftenwatchedwithaffectionatecontempt; 60

HUSBANDSANDWIVES

andthewildmountaingoat,whoseleaps fromrocktorockwerescarcelysurerthan herown.

Thesunsetwhileshewasupamongthe

peaks,andShestoodwithtangled,fallinghair and6ying,raggedgarmentsonaridgeand lookedeagerlyintothewestern6ames,her facelitupbytheirglow,untiltheydropped behindthegreatblackpeaksOppositeher.

Then,withadeepSigh,sheputherhandover

herdazzledeyesandsankdownonamossy stone,lyingperfectlystill,withherpalms

ShuttinginthevisionShehadbeenseeing.

Theairgrewcolderandfannedhercheek,until,stretchingherarmsandopeningher eyes,Shelookeduponatwilightscene.Drowsy tinklingstoldofdistantfoldsintowhichthe 6ockswerebeinggatheredforthenight.

Mihrijumpedupandstartedoncemore

overthehills,swingingherarmsasshewalked anddrawinglongbreathsintoherlungs.How shelovedthesestarry,frostynights"Vague excitingthoughtscametoherbrain,andlong ingsforSheknewnotwhatherstrongyoung musclesrejoicedtobeactive,andsometimes sheshoutedforthejoyOfliving,andthe strengthOfthehills.

Whenshereachedhomeherfamilywere

allhuddledonSkinsontheearthen6oorOf 61

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

theoneroom.Themenweresnoringster torously,butthemothermovedasidetopermit

Mihritoliebesideher.RHastilyeatingthe

foodsetasideforher,thegirlthrewherself down,andlayingherhandonhermotherSs, quicklyfellintoadreamlesssleep.

Manydayspassedthisway,andMihrigrew

taller,andher5gureswelledthepatchedfrock totightness.OnedayasshewasSittingon thehill-slope,fashioningafewmountain 6owersintoagarland,Shesawwithhersharp youngeyesthreestrangemeninredfezzes leavethepostingstationandtaketheirway acrosstothevillage.Shedroppedthe6owers inherlapandleanedforwardtowatchthem.

WhatcouldtheywantinthatpileOfmud

hutsWastheworldcomingtoherhouse

Thevillagersweregatheringaboutthestrange

men.ShesawCircassianmenwithtallfur caps,andweaponsallacrosstheirbreasts,stroll slowlytowardthevisitors;shesawrough, raggedchildrenSilentlypushintothecircle;shesawgaunt,tatteredwomen,somestillhold ingthespindle,otherswithsqualidbabiesin theirarms;shecouldseehermotherSsthin form,andherfatherlazilyleaningagainsta gun.AVerce-lookingdogortwoprowled abouttheoutskirts.Withexcitedcuriosity

Mihrijumpedup,scatteringher6owers,and

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

herill-shodfeet.Shewasabeautifulwild creature,asshestoodwith6ushingfaceand heavingbreast.Herskinwasfairwiththe warmcolourthatsunandmountainbreeze bestow,herhairwasamassOfredgoldfall ingoverherstraightShoulders,hereyeswere 5ercelyblue;alithe,well-rounded5gureand littlehandsandfeetalsoattractedtheatten tionOftheArmenians,whosaid,Shewilldo; sendhertotheinnwiththeothermaidens.

Wepayattheinn.UAndtheywithdrew

withdignityfromthelittlecrowd.

Whatisit,father?WhereamItobe

sent7criedMihrishrilly.

Thesestrangerswilltakeyouandthe

threeothermaidstothegreatcityOfStam boul,Urepliedherfathercoldly°thereyou willbegiventosomerichmanwhowillkeep youwell.U

MihriSsworldseemedturningupsidedown.

Shecouldnotunderstandit.Nowshewept

intheleanarmsOfhermother,whotoldher howpoortheywereandhowtheyneededthe money' theArmenianswouldpayforhersale; nowShestormedatbeingtornfromher mountainsandthen,acuriosityaboutlifein thegreatcitywouldstealoverher,andvague hopesofhappinesssuchasshehadneverknown.

ShecouldnotSleeponherwolf-skin,butwhen

641

HUSBANDSANDWIVES

themenwereallasleep,Shesteppedlightly overthem,andboundedoutintothenight.

MilesShewalkedoverthehills,andclimbed

highupontheridge.Thelife-givingsenseOf freedomthatthemountainsalwaysgaveher, struggledwiththeoppressionOfcomingcon Vnement.Higherandhighersheclimbed, untilexhaustedshefellonthemountainSide andSlept.Whensheawakeditwasmorning thesunwaspeepingoverthemountainsbehind her,andthefreshlifeofthedaywasbeginning.Whatwouldthisdaybringtoher?Intowhat newlifewassheentering?Withthejoyous rushOflifeinherveinscamehopeandanin terestinthegreatcitytowhichshewasgoing, andafaintdistantdreamofamantherewho shouldloveandcherishher.

Thefourgirlsweretakentotheinn,where

theirraggedclotheswereexchangedforwhole, cleangarments,suchastheyhadneverseen.

They5ngeredthesmoothstuffOftheirdresses

curiously,andlookedshylyateachother,wonderingatthechangethatplaitedhairand womanSsdressmadetotheirappearance.But whentheTurkishcharshafwasputOvertheir prettydresses,andaveilwasdroppedover theirfacesbytheArmenianwomanwhowas totakechargeofthem,Mihriwassti6ed,andtorethesilkveilfromherhotface,crying 65
.E

BEHINDTURKISHLATTICES

IwonSt,IwonSt.UTheOldwomanshrugged

herShouldersandsaid,TLetitbe;thou needestitnotinthymountains,butwhenwe gettothecity,wemusthidethybeautifulface fromevilmen.U

Mihristarted.Wasshebeautiful?She

rantothelittlemirrorintowhichShehad lookedpreviouslysimplyasintosomething newandstrange,scarceregardingtheface re6ectedtherein.Nowshelookedeagerly atthebrightcountenancethatwaslookingat her.Yes,shewaspretty,asthemountain roseswerepretty,asthelittlebirdswerepretty, astheWeecycloudswerepretty.TOthinkOf beingoneOfthebeautifulthingsOfthebeau tifulworld"Ajoyousvanityawokeinher heart,andshewasdocileoncemore.Butat partingwithhermotherShestruggled5ercely again,clingingtoherandweepingstormily, untilherfathertorethemapartandledthe unhappywomanhome.

Attheothervillagestheypickedupmore

Circassiangirls,somefair-haired,somewith

glossychestnutcurls,allshyandbeautiful.

EverymomentOfthejourneywasawonder

toMihriQthedayonthegrea

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