A TURKISH "AT HOME."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1055, 22 April 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

A TURKISH "AT HOME."

j When .a Turk has disposed of his visitors, iho goes into his haremilk to 'dine, or break-' fast, first 'removing hi 3 babouches[' ; This icustom of removing one's shb.es before enter|ing a room is not "a religious superstitioh; but j comes of tho necessity of keeping • carpets [clean, seeing that they fulfil the. urpose 6i

chairs,tables, and sofas' in.' other countries. ;Tho ladies' room may bo furnished ! like Parisian bgiiiJoirs; ,but custom is stronger than fashion, and tho Turks of both sexes like to reeling or sit 'cross-legged ori the' floor.. Their carpets : are curiously soft and thick, and the carpets'qver the'door's, shut' put'all' draughts. and poises, ' Through tho open windows'that look out' on the'garden comes a scent ot'r6se3 ! and the hum of bees, mingled with the ; laughter'of children, 'who are play ; in'g on; a weil : 'trimmed lawn,' under the eyes' of 1 the dark-eyed Circassian nurses, The mistress' of; the harem-the Biikui Hanum (great lady),'to give her'her full/title—dresses'much like an English lady nowadays, reads French novolaj' and plays [ tho' piano, though she dons' Ker native costume .upon State occasion's such as tliochalvaa. Chalva means a'bake 1 ; but has corne to designate a party at whioh that dainty is eaten,' just as we say tea for tea party in England, When a Turkish lady gives a chalva her husband is excluded while the strange women are in tho house. These guests begin to arrive toward 6 o'clock, accompanied by their maid-servants and negroes,.carrying lanterns and bringing their children with.them. Closely.muffled, they, 'divest, themselves of .their* burnouses and.oabouch'esin an ante : room, and put on delicate .slippers; w,hich .they have\brought with them inbags, are brilliantly lighted up with pink wax candles,: and scented with; fragrant pastilles. - I'here |s.' no kissing or hand-shaking, between. the hostess and her guests';; but each lady, as : she comes in,,lifts her haud.gracefully to her. heart,.her lips, and her brow, which means "I, am.devoted.to ypu ; with heart, mouth, and; mind." This mode pf salutation; when smilingly.performed, is very pretty. ; The greetings being .ended,,the company, seat themselves on, chairs if there be. any Frank ladies present; it not, they betake themselves to the divans,and carpets, and the cake^'atingbegins,, . :•.,.■,;! .