The Argosy — page 233: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Remembrances of Constantinople. 219 behind, long shawls twisted round their waists, full trousers fastened at the knee and hanging nearly to the ankle, and red or blue buskins. Very few wore turbans, but only the red fez cap, with a large tassel falling from the crown, to protect the back of the head from the sun. These tassels are very large, long, and full, and hang down so as to cover the top of the spine. Great numbers of women were assembled, arrayed in their. best attire, for this was Friday, the Mohammedan Sabbath—esteemed the luckiest day in the week. Many were, like ourselves, seated alohg the edge of the cemetery, which, according to custom, was raised some three or four feet above the road. They sat in groups, on rugs and shawls, and among them were many sweet children. His Highness not being blessed with a love of punctuality, the spectators were kept a long time beyond the hour for his expected arrival. I was tempted to take out my sketch-book, in order to bring away with me a reminiscence of a pretty child and his picturesque costume. Over a green tunic he had a pink jacket, from beneath the sleeves of which hung those of the under garment. A fantastically tied handkerchief covered his head, and below mauve-coloured trousers peeped pretty, fat feet. His face was lovely ; but before the rosy cheeks and dark eyes, with their long lashes, were transformed to my paper, our dragoman, in an agitated tone, entreated me to put up my drawing. materials. The mother of the child was in a violent rage with me, asserting that the ‘“‘ Giaour ”—meaning the infidel—was bewitching her darling. The poor woman imagined that I was stealing the soul of: her child, for she had been taught that whoever draws or represents a human form must at the Day of Judgment supply it with a soul, or remain for ever in Gehenna, or hell This at least was how the dragoman explained the poor woman’s frantic behaviour. The more enlightened Turks, without precisely discrediting the superstition, profess to read the verse of the Koran from which it derives its origin in different manners. Some assert that nothing that casts a shadow may be represented, while others are contented to believe that as long as a perfect figure is not produced there is no harm. My little model belonged evidently to a mother of the old school, for he was expeditiously caught up and hidden under a pile of shawls, whilst the woman talked in shrill tones, and gesticulated at me with flashing eyes. One of my companions turned round, and smiling amiably desired Ibrahim to tell my enemy we admired her very much. This it seemed would be adding fuel to fire, and we were cautioned not to look at her, as she might think we were envious of her, and casting on her “ the evil eye.” This superstition, from which even the Italians are not free, is one of the greatest barriers to progress to be found in unbelievers ; but, besides, never feel certain that a glance from one of _ comliichooks.com