WOMEN 147

:ish women not many years ago, I shall give a de-
>tlon of the picturesque Oriental character of daily
rience in the house of the Grand Vizier of Constan-
)le. We of the West often make the great mistake
.dging manners and customs by our own fixed ideas;
in describing the family life in the palace of the
sst official in the political life of the city, I am not
ng in any spirit of criticism, but simply with the
of furnishing a glimpse of the combined freedom and
sion of the Oriental environment,
tere were four households represented in this fam-
at the head of which combination was the Grand
ir himself. His daughter was married to a man who
for that reason at the head of the inner family life
e palace. Others dwelling there were relatives and
ners. This family occupied a large and beautiful
3e. The first floor was entirely given to the men.
fe they had their apartments, their sitting rooms,
their smoking and sleeping rooms,
ie second story was devoted to the apartments of the
en. The husband of the daughter of the Grand
ir was very much of a gentleman, he had no other
and no other entanglements with any of the women
.e harem. There were, however, many other women
resided there, relatives, servants, and friends. The
of the house was free to enter the apartments of the
m whenever he liked. In fact, when called to a
en dinner at the British Embassy, it was there that
ould go to have the niaids assist him in putting on
tockings and his collar, and in arranging Ms shirt-
, until he was finally evolved into a well-groomed
!eman of society.

the first floor of the palace there was a large dining
L which was used on great occasions. Adjoining
was an ordinary dining room where luncheons and
srs were served. There was no regular breakfast