The history of the condition of women in various ages and nations : $b Vol. 1 (of 2), Comprising the women of Asia and AfricaChild, Lydia Maria
History
The history of the condition of women in various ages and nations : $b Vol. 1 (of 2), Comprising the women of Asia and Africa
Child, Lydia Maria
Women -- History; Women -- Social conditions
But afterward her jealousy showed itself in a still worse form. The
Sultan had received from the grand vizier a most beautiful slave, named
Khadyjeh. With a view to her safety, he conveyed her to a seraglio on
the canal of the Black sea. For a time, Guneche appeared to have no
suspicion of the frequent visits he paid her. But one day when the
grand seignior had gone a hunting some distance from Constantinople,
she ordered caïques to be secretly prepared for an excursion on the
canal. On her arrival at the seraglio where Khadyjeh was confined, she
affected to wish to enter the pavilion to rest. The new favorite was
engaged in the innocent amusement of angling, in a closet that overhung
the sea. Her vindictive rival came softly behind her, and suddenly
pushed her into the waves, from which she rose no more.
The heir to the throne remains under the tuition of his mother until
he is eight or nine years old, and custom, as well as the rules of the
Koran, require from him the most implicit and reverential obedience.
The day on which this important little personage is delivered over to
male instructers is celebrated with great pomp. A recent traveller thus
describes the ceremonies that took place when the oldest son of Sultan
Mahmoud was nearly nine years old: “The extensive plain of Ibraham Aga,
on the Asiatic shore, was covered with tents for the accommodation of
troops of children, of whom six thousand were present. The Sultan was
seated on a throne in a splendid pavilion, supported by gilded columns,
hung with gold and silver tissue. The young prince was introduced to
all the chief officers of the empire, and after respectfully embracing
his father’s feet he took his seat on a cushion near him. A chapter
from the Koran was read, and a prayer pronounced by the grand mufti.
At every pause all the children throughout the camp cried Amen, and it
was echoed by the neighboring hills. Food is distributed and criminals
pardoned in honor of the occasion. The festival lasts three days; and
during all this time, men, women, and children remain in the field.
The troops, the long line of tents, the noisy children, and women
in all manner of gay costumes, riding in their painted and carved
arabahs, drawn by oxen, combine to make the scene very cheerful and
exhilarating.”
In many instances the Sultans, when they ascended the throne, have
caused all their brothers to be put to death, to prevent any disputes
about succession. Amurat III. caused his five brothers to be killed in
the presence of their own mothers, one of whom, unable to endure the
sight, stabbed herself in despair. He likewise put to death two of his
father’s slaves, who were likely to become mothers. Mohammed III., son
and successor of Amurat, caused nineteen brothers to be strangled, and
ten of his father’s odahlycs to be thrown into the sea, for the same
reason.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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