1 Yali = a little summer residence resorted to when it is too hot to remain in Constantinople itself.
2 The Turkish women with whom I lived in Constantinople read the Bible by the advice of the Imam (the Teacher of the Koran) to help them in the better understanding of the Koran. I may add that Zeyneb’s knowledge of our Scriptures, and her understanding of Christ’s teaching, would put to shame many professing Christians in our Western Churches.
7 The answer to such an observation is obvious, but I prefer to present the Hanoum’s anecdote as she gave it.—G.E.
8 Tcharchafs = cloak and veil worn by Turkish women when walking out of doors.
9 Muezzins = the religious teachers amongst the Mohammedans, whose duty it is five times a day to ascend the minaret and call the faithful followers of Mohammed to prayer from the four corners of the earth.
12 Chalvar = Turkish pantaloons, far more graceful than the hideous harem skirts, which met with such scant success in this country.
13 Enturi = the tunic, heavily embroidered, which almost covered the pantaloons.
14 The Western governesses, in so many cases, took no interest in their pupils’ reading, and allowed them to read everything they could lay their hands on. With their capacity for intrigue, they smuggled in principally French novels of the most harmful kind. Physical exercise being impossible to work off the evil effects of this harmful reading, the Turkish woman, discontented with her lot, saw only two ways of ending her unhappy existence—flight or suicide; she generally preferred the latter method.
16 They were called “white” because they were originally attended by unmarried women only, and they all wore white dresses.—G. E.
17 It sounds strange to the Western mind to speak of a “comfortable cemetery,” but the dead are very near to the living Turks; the cemetery is the Turkish woman’s favourite walk, and the greatest care is taken of the last resting-place of the loved ones.—G. E.
18 The editor is not responsible for the ideas expressed in this book, which are not necessarily her own.
19 Karakheuz = Turkish performance similar to our Punch and Judy Show.
20 Zeyneb has forgotten that as well as Fridays and various fast days, every Catholic receives the Holy Communion fasting.—G. E.
21 Inhabitants of Pera. There is no love lost between these ladies and the Turkish women proper. I personally found many of them very charming.—G. E.
22 I received this letter in Constantinople, where I was staying in a Turkish harem, having travelled there in order to be present at the first debate in the newly-opened Turkish Parliament.—G. E.
24 It may be reasonably urged in reply that Zeyneb’s criticism of our Christianity is far from adequate. But I have preferred to present the impressions of a Turkish woman.—G. E.
Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. Edinburgh & London
