'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎378] (455/905)

378
CONDITION OF THE WOMEN,
[CHAP. XVh
partially into the peninsula; the short jacket, ample trousers,
sash, and graceful turban, still retain their places ; the small tar-
bush, with the close blue frock and trousers of the Europeans,
which, by diminishing the figure, contrasts so disadvantageously
with the old dress, being as yet only worn by the Pashas or
other public functionaries. The generality of tlie Asiatic Turks
continue to wear long beards and flowing garments, and to have
their heads covered; they also retain the ancient posture in
sitting; 1 and they affect the utmost simplicity both in their
household furniture and their travelling equipage.
The Turkish Of the condition of the women a stranger can have but
little opportunity of forming a correct estimate, since the cus
tom of excluding the females from the society of men (which
belongs to a period long antecedent to Islamism) is strictly
followed, even to their absence from public worship in the
mosques. But from the attention which the men pay to their
help-mates when on a journey, as well as from the privilege
which the latter have of meeting together in the baths, the
cemeteries, and at country pic-nics, and from their mutual
visits to each other s houses, it is clear that a reasonable indul
gence is not in reality denied by the husbands, who are said to
find that at times the ladies take unfair advantages of the free
dom which they enjoy. Polygamy prevails chiefly among the
rich, and is quite the exception with persons of the middle
and lower classes. 2 In their excursions of pleasure the ladies
are enveloped in muslin dresses, and have only a portion of
the face uncovered: 3 at home they are employed in knitting,
and in executing plain needle-work or embroidery.
Charity of the Although of a grave, phlegmatic, and even a listless exterior,
the Turk is remarkable for his gentleness towards his children ;
and he makes no difference between them and his slaves or
other servants. In addition to alms to the widow and the
orphan, his generosity is frequently exercised in constructing
mosques, khans, and fountains ; trees and burial-grounds are
1 See Plate XV.
2 In 1830 the extensive city of Brusa contained but one individual (the
Musellim) "who had more than one wife.
3 See Plate XVIII.