Modern Turkish Ladies.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 73

Modern Turkish Ladies.

— New Tastes and Old Customs. —

It is hardly realised how intelligent and well-educated are modern Turkish ladies. Not only are they I'efined and dignified in their tasks "and manners, but they possess (says a writer in the Daily Telegraph) a strength of character which is most marked in their views on the lives they lead. Nowadays the daughters of Turkish officials' are educated by English and French governesses, and their presence in the harems is a great pleasure to the ladies. They enjoy their studies, soon mastering the foreign languages, and are accomplished musicians, so that by the time they are 18 they are far better educated than most girls abroad.

The only amusements they may take part in are paying visits to each other's

harems, being rowed on the Bosphorus in caiques, or going 1 for drives closely veiled. Education biings the greatest sadness into , these re&tiictcd lives, for Tuikish women bitterly complain against the injustice of being tieated and thought of as so much inferior to man. Their one hope is that the- present regime cannot last for long, as they eagerly look forward to the Sultan's death, when a great change is expected. When they mention the Sulj tarfs name they lower their voices, for ' fear of being overheard, as they live in the greatest fear of being reported by a spy for speaking against their Sovereign. Turkish ladies are supposed not to speak ! to a man till they are married, and they should always be veiled when they go out ' of doors, even in their private gardens : i and before the windows are lattice-worked shutters that no one can see throuch. But the ladies of officials who have held i diplomatic posts abroad and who have travelled are allowed a great many more privileges and greater freedom.

— Girls and their Lovers. —

It will 'upset the general idea of a Turkish girl's behaviour to hear that not only do they refuse to marry a man without even seeing him, as used to happen, but they see their fiancees without their veils,and alone, and even go out for walks and drives with them, much to the disapproval of the peasants and the old-fashioned Tuik. Conversation with some of these ladies is most amusing, as, though they fret and pine for more freedom, many are quite happy, and are much attached to their husbands and children.

They are very fond of pretty clothes, and indoors wear the most beautiful gowns, made in the latest fashion, for they carefully study the fashion papers and are quite up to date. Velvet is a favourite material with them, and they have their frocks made by the leading drsesmakers. They are very apt to choose the brightest colours, though some ladies wear the daintiest of Paris gowns. . This summer they wore their hair in masses of curls, like their European sisters, and always have their fingernails beautifully manicured. In every way they are as fashionabV $txj J^esJesn Jvdy a

The only difference they make is wheaf they go out of doors, when they ax 4. obliged to wear the Turkish costume. Oi? State occasions they wear a long cloaK with hanging sleeves, with the most be* coming headdress of white muslin, whicM only leaves the eyes uncovered ; but, un« fortunately, this is very seldom seen now*

—The Battle of the Veil.—

The everyday costume is a garmenfi made all in one, which comes right over the head, and a thick veil hangs over the face. Very often the fashionable ladies have their costumes made like an elaborate opera cloak, and wear" veils that aret nothing more than transparent net. When' they reach this extreme, and they are seeni by the dreaded spy, these ladies are reported to the Sultan. At once an order is issued that no one is to wear anything but the old-fashioned "Terija," and a veil through which the face cannot be discerned. This order is obeyed for about- al year, when by degrees they begin wearing; thinner veils, unless they are married to jealous men, when they are forced "neveK "to allow their faces to be seen.

— " At Homes " in the Harem. —

Every smart lady has her iixed day ati home, and it is her greatest delight to. have her European, lady friends come and} call. The Turkish lady receives her? guests most gracefully. Each guest if meti at the door by the hostess and bidden; '"welcome," then they salute by touching! the ground, lips! alid head with the right! hand, as they have not adopted the handshake, except with foreign ladies. When they are seated they salute once more,; before they begin any conversation. Soon after the arrival of a visitor a maid enters and offers a tray, on which are ai pot of rose-leaf jam and orange-leaf jam, a vase containing spoons, and several glasses of water. The guest is given \ spoonful of jam, which must be swallowed^ and then a glass of water. The spoon ia placed in the glass when both are empty.i Then coffee is served with cigarettes, and! it is a great relief to the hostess if thfiguests smoke, as it is not etiquette foi( her to do so if there is anyone in the roon< not smoking.

The greatest interest is taken by thesa| ladies in all that is going on in the outeu world, and they contrive in every possible way to imitate European manners and customs. Before the guest leaves afternoon) tea is handed round, and it is a great disappointment if this is refused. v Their houses are daintily furnished witK French furniture, and the owners do theiff utmost to abolish all signs of the Oriental! shle, of hard divans and stiff-backedl chairs. It is remarkable that they do not! even allow their rooms to be adorned with,' any of the beautiful embroideries or silver, and crystal ornaments that these old families must possess.

— Seclusion and 1 Ways Out. —

They may call at any private house,but as soon as they arrive their hostesal must give an order that no man, even si manservant, is to enter the room they are; sitting in, though they have np objection! to talking to Englishmen as long as they cannot be seen. This is done 'by sitting) ir> different Tooms, with the doors open.) This they greatly enjoy, and they generally manage to see who they are talking, to.

In much the same way they get photographed under false pretences, though iti is really forbidden by their religion to bei represented. They may take a child to the protographer's, and if the mother ot sister is also taken it is not supposed thati they went there for that purpose. They tlioroucrhly enjoy any such escapade, and) tell of their experiences with the greatest glee. It is quite amazing to find how mucK they have read, how fond they are of Eng-> lish literature and English people, and) they make the most steadfast, loyal friends.