Life in a Harem

Southland Times, Issue 19499, 31 December 1904, Page 6 (Supplement)

Life in a Harem

• The- popular' conception (says the London .correspondent '6l- the Age) of life in an JfcJastern harem: is, all wrong,, according to Mrs Dalyy .who has just? .returned to England after eight years' work ; as a: medical officer to- the AfghaV tioyern--^ meat. She- also 7 acted during Vr residence in Kabul as one of .the physicians to the royal family^ and: learned Poetically " everything that could 'bo knowh. of the women ol the. ' court. Novelists nave, represented the life of the barem as voluptuous, idle, and full of intrigue. Mrs Dttfy 'iouud thftt" sewing machines have

taken the place of Turkish delight end English costumes that of the diaphanous attire usually attributed to ladieft.of the harem." The chief or favourite wife of tho Ameer makes the ..clothes for her children, and all the other wives and concubines are busy in their domestic affairs, and take great interest in knitting embroidery and other feminine pursuits. The Ameer h»a one wife of royal birth. " an. ambitious woman, who wears English dresses, although it should tie sa.i>t that they are of tho style of 30 years ago." The title of Queen is borne, not by the chief wife of the present Ameer, but by the lady who was chief wife of hia predecessor on the throne. Sho is a woman of considerable beauty, about 40 years of age, and, though practically a prisoner in her palace, exercises political influence second only to that ;>f the Ameer himself. Her sympathies arc distinctly favourable to <ireat Britain, and on this account she is regarded with aa much susp cion as the British Agency is, and everything associated with it. Jiabul seems to be a depressing place to live in. One's movements are constantly watched. This was even tho case with Mrs Daly, notwithstanding her oflioial position. Sho never went out without a mounted escort, aud during the whole of her eight years' residence did noti dare to be seen speaking r.o the British Agent or any member ol hia stall staff.