WOMEN UNDER POLYGAMY
a part of the art. This giddy evolution is sustained for many minutes, and causes a sense of vertigo in the spectator. The girl becomes almost frenzied. She whirls faster and faster, and finally reels to a couch, her face drenched and white, almost in a state of collapse from the prolonged and violent exertion. Most of the dances are voluptuous, and describe amorous passion. They are less graceful and pleasing than the peasant dances of Spain.
Although some Turkish women are excellent dancers, they are not fond of physical exercise, and the sporting or athletic woman is unknown in the society of Constantinople. The men are often fine equestrians, and some are formidable wrestlers, but they have no liking for field-sports.
Devotions, the toilet and bathing occupy much of the women's time. They are very fond of the hot vapour bath and the heated chambers, and some of them will spend the greater part of the day at the hammam.
No harem ikbal allows her hair to turn grey. Such sign of age must be remedied by every device of art. Dye is used constantly for the hair upon the first appearance of fading. Wrinkles in the skin of the face are treated by massage and emollients.
Although the Turks excel in affection for their children, infant mortality is high owing to defective hygiene and the incompetence of physicians. The
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