WOMEN UNDER POLYGAMY
The Chief Master of the Maidens is a dignitary of unique eminence. He is almost feared by the Sultan himself. Here, as in Egypt, the Kislar-aghasi is like a king. His salary is enormous, and when he retires, he is entitled to a liberal pension for the rest of his days.
There are many well-paid officials in the royal household. The principal woman-supervisor controls a regiment of kalfas, who have subordinates under their guidance. There are the "Mistress of the Sherbet," and the "Mistress of the Coffee," and numerous other female officials, all of them living in more or less splendour and authority. Their servants are the alaiks, who are practically slaves, though they have well-defined rights.
The Sultan's seraglio is adorned by the most beautiful women that Circassia can provide. Highest in rank is the mother of the heir to the throne, who possesses supreme privileges and a heavy dowry. The chief wives are next to her in station; and beneath them are the inferior wives, and the odalisques. Every woman in the palace is at the beck of the monarch.[1]
When a harem lady has been blessed by the admira-
- ↑ Several of my facts are gathered from Miss Bowman-Dodd's "Palaces of the Sultan."
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