WOMEN UNDER POLYGAMY
all being in a state of nature, that is, in plain English, stark naked, without any beauty or defect concealed. Yet there was not the least wanton smile or immodest gesture among them. They walked or moved with the same majestic grace, which Milton describes our general mother with. There are many among them as exactly proportionate as ever any goddess was drawn by the pencil of Guido or Titian, and most of their skin shiningly white, only adorned by their beautiful hair, divided into many tresses, hanging on their shoulders, braided, either with pearl or ribbon, perfectly representing the figures of the graces."
Mohammedan modesty is chiefly manifested by women in the practice of covering the face from the gaze of the other sex. There is much less solicitude for concealing the body. Friends who have surprised Eastern women, when bathing in the rivers, tell me that the women run to put on their veils, and so long as their faces are covered, they are not concerned about the rest of their figures. But we are told that Mohammedan women are shocked at the evening dress of English women.
The Turkish veil is a more complete covering for the face than the Arab yashmak. It is of muslin, and covers the whole head. Over the veil is worn a hood, attached to an unlovely garment that reaches to the heels and encases the body.
In the East there is a reluctance on the part of well-bred women to show the feet. Turks are inclined to make a fetich of their women's feet, somewhat after the manner of the Chinese. Strabo refers to "the courtesan Rhodope, whose sandal was carried off by
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