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  • Feb. 25, 1871
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  • THE HAREM AND SALAMLIK.
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Feb. 25, 1871: Page 19

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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Harem And Salamlik.

anybody , he enters the room , and jumps at once on the immense long sofa ; then , spreading himself out in a cross-legged sitting posture , he makes his salarn , or salutation to the master of the house , next , he repeats the same to every one separately in his turn , who are all obliged to return this salutation , so that , Avith ' a goodly number of visitors , it is a rather ludicrous scene to see all this mimicking and waving of hands going on for some minutes , and to be repeated as each fresh visitor enters .

It is notable that the Turks have a more rational way of greeting than we do . Our way is certainly an unmeaning fashion , to show our curls or bare craniums to our friends . The Turk and Arab , on thR contrary , never lmoovor clielr heads , not even , for the Sultan . In fact , there is nothing more insulting then when a Turk in his anger , bares his head , and throws his turban or fez to the ground . They salute , generally , by moving their

right hand to their heart ; then they touch their forehead , and afterwards their lips , indicating therewith that their hearts and brains are cheefully at your services . At about one o ' clock , when all the invited have arrived , including the Ohacham and his scribe , sweet preserves in crystal vases are handed round . However , before touching them with your lips , good breeding

requires that you should salute again Avifck the usual salam , the host , the Ohacham , and the principal dignitaries . Previous to the ceremony , the afternoon prayers ( mincha ) are . read ; then the young bridegroom , dressed in a sky-blue coloured caltan or robe , is led by his father and near relatives from the sofa to the centre of the room . The bridedressed in some bright coloured silks

, ( more or less of European out , as the Jewesses have not adopted the Turkish female dress ) Avears over head a coloured gauze covering , with a profusion of gold tinsel hanging down in long streamers from head to foot , covering almost entirely her blushing face . Then follows the most imposing part , when the bride , from fche

ladies' assembly room , is led by her mother and friends to the bridegroom . SheAvalks so slowly , and moves her bridal feet so imperceptibly , that frequently the distance of five or six yards takes fully fifteen minutes , and ifc is considered a smartness and a proof of good breeding , that the bride should keep the bridegroom and guests in long suspense , during which a deadly silence prevails .

The meaning of this slow marching is , that the bride expresses great reluctance , hesitation , and pain , that she is very slow in quitting her paternal roof for that of her husband . When , at last , standing by the side of the bridegroom , the usual wedding rites , as putting on the golden ring , the blessing over the wine , and ths breaking of the Avine cup , are performed as by the AA estern Jews .

Your readers are aware that the latter ceremony means that just as the scattered fragments of this broken glass could not again be joined together in the same way , so man and wife cannot be divided asunder during their life . At last , the marriage contract in Hebrew is read by the scribe . This document on parchment is merely formal , as the contents and notations are invariably the same for rich and poor ouly the Turkish Jews have ifc printed in a larger size , anil it is

ornamented with enormous patches of gold-leaf , not unlike an ornamented Dutch ginger-bread . Next bridegroom and bride descend fco the entrance of fche house , followed by all the guests , when a flat tray or basket , with three live fishes , ornamented with coloured ribbons , are presented to them ; they lift up this tray above their heads three times , whereafter these fishes are given to the poor . This ceremony indicates in a symbolic way , the text"They will multillike the fishes . " This is equivalent

, py to the ceremony peeformed in Holland and parts of Germany , called the Maan , in which the Rabbi before the canopy throws two or three handfuls of wheat toward the bridal pair , expressing thereb y that they shall multiply like wheat thrown on a field . This concludes the ceremony , and those specially invited re-assemble again in the evening to a festive dinner , wnich is repeated for seven days with more or less splendour , according to the means of Che parties . — Jewish Messenger .

Poetry.

Poetry .

FROM THE BATTLE FIELD , " GOOD NIGHT . " Are you watching for me , darling ; are you looking out for me ?

Do you think I may be eoming by the path along the sea ? My love ! with golden tresses and ever-varying cheek , Anel the welcome in your glances which your shy lips seldom

opoat-I can close my eyles and see you in the mellow evening sjleam , Your earnest face upligbted by some pure and happy dream : By the chiming ocean billows in the radiance of the west , Those busy fingers folded for a little while at rest . Ah ! I see you looking downward afc that slender , golden rin « -, With a quick faint blush—you prize it , the foolish , worthless

thing ? You are thinking of the kiss thafc dared press your fingers dear ; I have never touched your lips yet , and I am lying here .

On the field of a lost battle—all , save dead aud dying gone ; A cold , slow rain is falling anel the night is drawing on . Our flag , deep stained wifch crimson , is wrapped aboufc my arm ; I have saved it with my life-blood through this battle-day's alarm . My passion has been silent—we have only been true friends ;

Thank Heaven ! we were nofc lovers , since this is how it ends . I know your heart is tender , anel has given both prayers and tears To your well-beloved companion—your friend of early years .

Alay they turn to you in blessings—may my darling never know A single tear more bitter than those which for me flow . ' Who will tell her of my fate ? I am dying here alone , So yearning for one tender look—one gentle , pitying tone ! I thought to bring back honour and lay it at your feet ;

I thought to win a gracious name and whisper , ' Share it sweet ?" But dying eyes see clearly ; I never won your heart , Well , better so , fur better ; it is easy now to part !

There are many moaning round me , but my wounds have ceased to pain ; I hardly hoar the night wind or feel the chilling rain . They will find me here to-morrow aucl bury me where I lie , In a nameless grave , without a prayer—aud I am young to die . But it must be so , my darling ! If you were by my side . You would kiss me a "Good night !"—the last before I died . Farewell ! God shield you , dearest ! and sometimes think of me , As you sit in your sunny window beside the sparkling sea !

DANOEES OE POIIK . —To the pig we aro indebted for two of the most repulsive and dangerous worms ever introduced into fche human system—the tcenia solium or tapeworm , and trichina-. Ifc is to the latter that we particularly call attention , as fche people of this country are frequently in tlie habit of partaking of cold foreign sausages and uncooked pork relishes , liable to contain this deadly parasite . — Food Journal .

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1871-02-25, Page 19” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 11 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_25021871/page/19/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
Untitled Article 1
THE FUND OF BENEVOLENCE. Article 1
THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND, AND THE ST. JOHN'S LODGE MEMORIAL. Article 3
SEPARATION OF G. COMMANDERY OF VIRGINIA FROM THE G. ENCAMPMENT, U.S. Article 5
RELIGION AND MASONRY. Article 6
MASONIC JOTTINGS.—No. 58. Article 7
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 7
MASONIC SAYINGS AND DOINGS ABROAD. Article 8
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 10
Untitled Article 11
MASONIC MEMS. Article 11
UNITED GRAND LODGE. Article 11
Craft Masonry. Article 12
PROVINCIAL. Article 14
INDIA. Article 15
MARK MASONRY. Article 17
MASONIC FESTIVITIES. Article 17
THE MISSION OF MASONRY. Article 18
THE HAREM AND SALAMLIK. Article 18
Poetry. Article 19
LIST OF LODGE MEETINGS &c., FOR WEEK ENDING MARCH 4TH, 1871. Article 20
METROPOLITAN LODGES AND CHAPTERS OF INSTRUCTION. Article 20
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 20
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Harem And Salamlik.

anybody , he enters the room , and jumps at once on the immense long sofa ; then , spreading himself out in a cross-legged sitting posture , he makes his salarn , or salutation to the master of the house , next , he repeats the same to every one separately in his turn , who are all obliged to return this salutation , so that , Avith ' a goodly number of visitors , it is a rather ludicrous scene to see all this mimicking and waving of hands going on for some minutes , and to be repeated as each fresh visitor enters .

It is notable that the Turks have a more rational way of greeting than we do . Our way is certainly an unmeaning fashion , to show our curls or bare craniums to our friends . The Turk and Arab , on thR contrary , never lmoovor clielr heads , not even , for the Sultan . In fact , there is nothing more insulting then when a Turk in his anger , bares his head , and throws his turban or fez to the ground . They salute , generally , by moving their

right hand to their heart ; then they touch their forehead , and afterwards their lips , indicating therewith that their hearts and brains are cheefully at your services . At about one o ' clock , when all the invited have arrived , including the Ohacham and his scribe , sweet preserves in crystal vases are handed round . However , before touching them with your lips , good breeding

requires that you should salute again Avifck the usual salam , the host , the Ohacham , and the principal dignitaries . Previous to the ceremony , the afternoon prayers ( mincha ) are . read ; then the young bridegroom , dressed in a sky-blue coloured caltan or robe , is led by his father and near relatives from the sofa to the centre of the room . The bridedressed in some bright coloured silks

, ( more or less of European out , as the Jewesses have not adopted the Turkish female dress ) Avears over head a coloured gauze covering , with a profusion of gold tinsel hanging down in long streamers from head to foot , covering almost entirely her blushing face . Then follows the most imposing part , when the bride , from fche

ladies' assembly room , is led by her mother and friends to the bridegroom . SheAvalks so slowly , and moves her bridal feet so imperceptibly , that frequently the distance of five or six yards takes fully fifteen minutes , and ifc is considered a smartness and a proof of good breeding , that the bride should keep the bridegroom and guests in long suspense , during which a deadly silence prevails .

The meaning of this slow marching is , that the bride expresses great reluctance , hesitation , and pain , that she is very slow in quitting her paternal roof for that of her husband . When , at last , standing by the side of the bridegroom , the usual wedding rites , as putting on the golden ring , the blessing over the wine , and ths breaking of the Avine cup , are performed as by the AA estern Jews .

Your readers are aware that the latter ceremony means that just as the scattered fragments of this broken glass could not again be joined together in the same way , so man and wife cannot be divided asunder during their life . At last , the marriage contract in Hebrew is read by the scribe . This document on parchment is merely formal , as the contents and notations are invariably the same for rich and poor ouly the Turkish Jews have ifc printed in a larger size , anil it is

ornamented with enormous patches of gold-leaf , not unlike an ornamented Dutch ginger-bread . Next bridegroom and bride descend fco the entrance of fche house , followed by all the guests , when a flat tray or basket , with three live fishes , ornamented with coloured ribbons , are presented to them ; they lift up this tray above their heads three times , whereafter these fishes are given to the poor . This ceremony indicates in a symbolic way , the text"They will multillike the fishes . " This is equivalent

, py to the ceremony peeformed in Holland and parts of Germany , called the Maan , in which the Rabbi before the canopy throws two or three handfuls of wheat toward the bridal pair , expressing thereb y that they shall multiply like wheat thrown on a field . This concludes the ceremony , and those specially invited re-assemble again in the evening to a festive dinner , wnich is repeated for seven days with more or less splendour , according to the means of Che parties . — Jewish Messenger .

Poetry.

Poetry .

FROM THE BATTLE FIELD , " GOOD NIGHT . " Are you watching for me , darling ; are you looking out for me ?

Do you think I may be eoming by the path along the sea ? My love ! with golden tresses and ever-varying cheek , Anel the welcome in your glances which your shy lips seldom

opoat-I can close my eyles and see you in the mellow evening sjleam , Your earnest face upligbted by some pure and happy dream : By the chiming ocean billows in the radiance of the west , Those busy fingers folded for a little while at rest . Ah ! I see you looking downward afc that slender , golden rin « -, With a quick faint blush—you prize it , the foolish , worthless

thing ? You are thinking of the kiss thafc dared press your fingers dear ; I have never touched your lips yet , and I am lying here .

On the field of a lost battle—all , save dead aud dying gone ; A cold , slow rain is falling anel the night is drawing on . Our flag , deep stained wifch crimson , is wrapped aboufc my arm ; I have saved it with my life-blood through this battle-day's alarm . My passion has been silent—we have only been true friends ;

Thank Heaven ! we were nofc lovers , since this is how it ends . I know your heart is tender , anel has given both prayers and tears To your well-beloved companion—your friend of early years .

Alay they turn to you in blessings—may my darling never know A single tear more bitter than those which for me flow . ' Who will tell her of my fate ? I am dying here alone , So yearning for one tender look—one gentle , pitying tone ! I thought to bring back honour and lay it at your feet ;

I thought to win a gracious name and whisper , ' Share it sweet ?" But dying eyes see clearly ; I never won your heart , Well , better so , fur better ; it is easy now to part !

There are many moaning round me , but my wounds have ceased to pain ; I hardly hoar the night wind or feel the chilling rain . They will find me here to-morrow aucl bury me where I lie , In a nameless grave , without a prayer—aud I am young to die . But it must be so , my darling ! If you were by my side . You would kiss me a "Good night !"—the last before I died . Farewell ! God shield you , dearest ! and sometimes think of me , As you sit in your sunny window beside the sparkling sea !

DANOEES OE POIIK . —To the pig we aro indebted for two of the most repulsive and dangerous worms ever introduced into fche human system—the tcenia solium or tapeworm , and trichina-. Ifc is to the latter that we particularly call attention , as fche people of this country are frequently in tlie habit of partaking of cold foreign sausages and uncooked pork relishes , liable to contain this deadly parasite . — Food Journal .

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