TURKISH BEAUTIES. 
145 
other Oriental fashions, such as smoking the chibouck and 
sharing in domestic circles the same husband. 
The life of these inmates of the Harem has been delineated 
by writers who have had access to their society; but it has 
been done in such a way as to throw a halo of romance around 
them which has no foundation in reality. I have conversed 
with many intelligent Frank residents of Constantinople on 
the subject, and have been assured that these accounts of the 
innocent and luxurious seclusion in which they spend their 
lives are in the main a tissue of absurdities, gotten up by 
enthusiastic authors for the purpose of making readable books. 
Such books are sought with avidity, where the plain truth 
would make no impression. People are determined to feed 
the imagination upon something, and those who furnish them 
with the material are naturally disposed to make it as palat¬ 
able as possible. The fact is, life in the Harem is one of 
absolute servitude and disgusting sensuality. Few, even in 
the highest ranks, understand how to read and write, and 
their conversation is only trilling inanity. They are purchased 
as slaves, treated as slaves, and valued according to their 
capacity to reach the most approved standard of degradation. 
Encouraged in all that is revolting to the better feeling of 
man’s nature, is it to be wondered that they do not occupy the 
position of companions. It may be set down as an axiom, 
demonstrated by all past experience, that in no country where 
the position of woman is so utterly degraded can a people 
ever attain to a more exalted rank than that of a slavish and 
semi-barbarous nation. Abd-ul-Mejid may build frigates, 
encourage steam navigation and cotton factories, patronize 
model farms, surround his court with all the enlightening 
influences of foreign diplomacy; listen to disinterested plans 
for increasing the power and prosperity of the Turkish people; 
but until he learns the great secret that women must be com¬ 
panions, and not mere toys, his efforts, or the efforts of others, 
will be in vain; and the mass of the Turks will remain as 
they have ever been, an ignorant and slavish people. 
It has been my fortune to travel in many foreign lands, 
and to mingle with many strange people as a spectator of 
G 
