*12] 
believe can alone be secured, by an 
air of stern authority. 
The ladies, especially those of 
rank, appear reserved in regard to 
their husbands, while they shew an 
engaging, affectionate fondness for 
their brothers, though it is often re~ 
turned with little more than frigid 
complaisance: as if their tender en- 
dearmenis were a tribute due to 
male superiority. There are times, 
however, when natural affection gets 
the better of this cold indifference 
of the young men. ‘The sight of a 
sister in distress, or languishing in a 
fit of severe illness, often produces 
emotion, of which, judging from 
general appearances, they would 
seem to be insusceptible. The af- 
fectation of apathy, is a remarka- 
ble trait im the character of the 
Turks. They are led by it, under 
misfortunes, to assume an appear- 
ance oft ranquillity, more than they 
posses in reality; and, on other oc- 
casions, they strive to hide that sen- 
sibility which other nations think it 
honourable to indulge. . Their ex- 
terior manners are universally mark- 
ed by this affectation: their real 
‘feelings, influenced by the common 
sptings of humanity, are more re= 
mote from the eye of observation, 
Persons of destinction, who are in 
office, leave the harem early in the 
morning, and, two hours after noon 
excepted, pass most of their time in 
the outer apartments, But others, 
who have little business, and the 
luxurious young men of all denomi- 
nations, lounge many hours in their 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1795. 
harem. Some allowance, in thi 
respect, is made to youth, for some 
weeks after marriage; but an ef- 
feminate character, which is by no 
means respectable among the men, 
is far from being acceptable to the 
women. ‘The presence of the men, } 
at unusual hours in the day time, | 
lays the whole harem under re 
straint, and however some particus | 
lar favourite may be gratified by the 
particular attention of her Jord, the 
rest of the women are apt to la- 
ment the liberty they are deprived 
of, by his remaining too much at 
home. | 
The grandees, if slightly indis- 
posed, continue to see company in 
the outer apartments ; but when the 
disorder becomes serious, they re- 
treat into the harem, to be nursed by 
their women: and in this situation, 
besides their medical attendants, 
and very near relations, no person 
whatever can have access, except 
on very urgent business. They 
make choice of the females they 
wish to have. more immediately 
about their person, and one in par- 
ticular is appointed to give an ac- 
count to the physician, of what hap- 
pens in the intervals of his visits, to 
receive his directions, and to see 
them duly obeyed. 
Medical people, whether Euro- 
peans or natives, have access to the _ 
harem, at all times when their at- 
tendance is requisite. The phy- 
sician, after being announced, is 
obliged to wait,at the door till the 
way be cleared ;* that is, till his 
* When it is known that the physician is about to enter, the slave, who under- 
takes to clear the way, gives notice by calling Amel Dirb! Amel Dirb! make 
way, make way; and returning after some time, says, ¢i Dirb, the way is clear. 
patient 
