ALME, OR ALMA. 273 
meditated verse. They are called ^ /me, from having received a bet- 
ter education than other women. They form a celebrated society in 
their country. To be received into it, according to Sayary, it is 
necessary to have a good voice, to know the language well, to under- 
stand the rules of poetry, and be able to compose atid sing couplets 
on the spot, adapted to present circumstances. The Alm6 know by 
heart all the new songs. Their memory is furnished with the»njost 
beautiful tales. There is no festival without them ; no entertainment 
of which they do not constitute the ornament, They are placed in 
a rostrum, from whence they sing during the repast. They then de- 
scend into the saloon, and form dances, wh^ch have no resemblance 
to ours ; they are pantomime ballads, in w^hich they usually repre- 
sent the occurrences of life. The mysteries of love, too, furnish them 
with scenes. The suppleness of their bodies is inconceivable. One 
is astonished at the mobility of their features, to which they give at 
pleasure the impression suitable to the characters they play. The 
indecency of their attitude is often carried to excess. Their looks, 
their gestures, every thing speaks, but in so expressive a manner, 
that it is impossible to mistake them. At the beginning of the dance 
they lay aside with their veils the modesty of their sex. A long robe 
of very fine silk goes down to their heels, which is slightly fastened 
with a rich girdle. Long black hair, plaited and perfumed, lies on 
their shoulders. A shift, transparent as gauze, scarcely hides their 
bosom. As they put themselves in motion, the shapes, the contours 
of their bodies, seem to develop themselves successively. Their steps 
are regulated by the sound of the flute, of castanets, the tambour de 
lasque, and cymbals, which accelerates or retards the measure. They 
are still farther animated by words adapted to such scenes. They 
appear in a state of intoxication. They are the bacchantes, in a deli- 
rium. It is when they are at this point, throwing oflf all reserve^ 
they abandon themselves wholly to the disorder of their senses ; it is 
then that a people, far front delicate, and who like nothing hidden^ 
redouble their applauses. 
These Alm6 are sent for into all the harems. They teach the wo- 
men the new airs, amuse them with amorous tales, and recite in their 
presence poems, which are so much the more interesting, as they fur^ 
nish a lively picture of their manners. They initiate them into the 
mysteries of their art, and teach them to contrive lascivious “dances. 
These girls, who have a cultivated understanding, are very agreeable 
in conversation. They speak their language with purity. The habit 
of dedicating themselves to poetry, renders the softest and most sono- 
rous expressions familiar to them. They repeat with a great deal of 
grace. In singing, nature is their only guide. Sometimes two of therii 
sing together, but always with the same voice. It is the same with 
an orchestra, where all the instruments playing in unison execute the 
same part. The Alm§ assist at the marriage ceremonies, and march 
before the bride, playing on instruments. They make a figure like- 
wise at funerals, and accompany the procession, singing sorrowful 
airs. They break forth into groans and lamentations, and give every 
sign of grief and despair. These w’omen are paid very high, and 
seldom appear but among the grandees. The common people have 
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