TURKISH LADIES AND SECRET AGENTS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 259, 29 November 1876, Page 4

TURKISH LADIES AND SECRET AGENTS.

"■•"'. (Vanity Fair,) There is a general idea that Turkish ladies. are mere slaves, dolls with only external beauty, whose mental powers are a complete void. This is no doubt the general case; but the harems of the higher class' of Turks are still partially supplied wHh young girls from Circassia (despite the pretended opposition of Russia to what .is still a trade), and , many of these girls are, before lea ving, home, educated to the highest degree in the art. of deception, and. have had . their wits sharpened to an extent which would make them dangerous, tools if in the. hands of secret agents who knew how to guide them. Many books have been . written about " Life in the Harem," but I judge for myself, from much valuable information received from several moat intelligent and liberal minded Turks. There had been for some time a sort of strike for more freedom among the Turkish ladiee, and ! a walk in the aristocratic part of Staraboul on a Friday afternoon would give the idea that the movement was in no small way a success. A few years before, and the highest ladies in the land were obliged to cover almost the whole of the face in a thick muslin or linen yashmac, and were content to ride (if ride at all) in one of the antiquated Turkish carnages; but at the time I refer to, the imperious belle of a Pasha's harem was to be seen in the lftlest Paris dress, only with the usual Tarkish mantle over her shoulders, and a thin gossamer veil partly covering her forehead and mouth, but as transparent as her desire to shade her beauty. It may be said that their lords and masters were anxioua to show the world of Stamboul the beautirul pearls that their harems oould produce; but I think it was due to the demands of the ladies themselves. The Turk is as jealous as ever of allowing his women to be seen, it is his most vulnerable poiot, and, I think, proves that the ladies who flould obtain such concessions could obtain a great deal if they were instructed as to what they were to : ask for, and know when to press their demands. There is not the slightest' doubt that roost of the " motive po%er " that woiks the " state coach '.' is fabricated in the hareme, and it is there that the secret. agent fiads the softest material to mould but to his or her own desire..