long enough to see her son mount the throne, is the only woman who at that period alone is called Sultana-mother; she is still then shut up in the interior of her prison with her son. The title of Bache-kadun, principal woman, is the highest dignitary of the Grand Signior's harem; and she has a larger allowance than those who have the title of second, third, or fourth, which are the four free women allowed by the Koran. Lady Wortley Montague says, at the time the visited Turkey, (1717,) the widow of the late Sultan was obliged by the reigning Sultan to quit the Seraglio, and choose a husband from among those who were her subjects. She used every argument and entreaty to avoid the disgrace, as it is looked upon; but nothing could prevail with the Sovereign to change his determination, and she actually fixed upon a man upwards of fourscore years of age, though she was little more than twenty herself.

Dr. Clarke relates, that, in 1808, the gardener of the Grand Signior was a German, and that, while the Secretary to the Swedish mission was in conversation with him, it was announced that the Sultana-mother and four Sultanas were about to take the air in the garden-they instantly closed the shutters, and locked the doors of the lodge. Through two gimblet holes bored on purpose, they beheld the features of the Sultanas, one of whom was very fair, and all possessed extraordinary

beauty. Their dresses were rich beyond all description. Long spangled robes open in front, with pantaloons embroidered with gold and silver, and studded with a profusion of pearls and diamonds, displayed their persons to the greatest advantage. Their hair hung in loose tresses, powdered carelessly with clusters of jewels; a little on one side of the head they wore small diadems, and their faces, necks, and breasts, were quite uncovered. The gardens and the baths of these Sultanas presented every degree of luxury and magnificence which Eastern taste has been able to invent.

Lady Montague had, perhaps, better opportunities of observing Turkish manners in private life, during her stay in that country, than any one who ever visited it. Her situation as the lady of our Ambassador, joined to her uncommon beauty and pleasing manners, made her company acceptable to the Turkish ladies of the highest rank, and in one of her letters to her sister the Countess of Mar, she gives the following lively description of her reception at the palace of the fair Fatima, which is highly illustrative of Turkish customs.

"I was met at the door by two black eunuchs, who led me through a long gallery, between two ranks of beautiful young girls, with their hair finely plaited, almost hanging to their feet, all dressed in fine light damasks, brocaded with sil

ver. I was sorry that decency did not permit me to stop to consider them nearer. But that thought was lost upon my entrance into a large room, or rather pavilion, built round with gilded sashes, which were most of them thrown up, and the trees planted near them gave an agreeable shade, which hindered the sun from being troublesome. The jessamines and honeysuckles that twisted round their trunks gave a fine perfume, increased by a white marble fountain playing sweet water in the lower part of the room, which fell into three or four basins with a pleasing sound. The roof was painted with all sorts of flowers, falling out of gilded baskets, that seemed tumbling down. On a sofa, raised three steps, and covered with fine Persian carpets, sat the kiyaya's (lieutenant-vizier) lady, leaning on cushions of white satin, embroidered; and at her feet sat two young girls about twelve years old, lovely as angels, dressed perfectly rich, and almost covered with jewels.But they were hardly seen near the fair Fatima ; so much her beauty effaced every thing I have seen, nay, all that has been called lovely either in England or Germany. I must own I never saw any thing so gloriously beautiful, nor can I recollect a face that would have been taken notice of near her's. She stood up to receive me, saluting me after their fashion, putting her hand to her heart with a sweetness full of majesty, that no

She ordered

court breeding could ever give. cushions to be given me, and took care to place me in the corner, which is the place of honor. I confess I was so struck with admiration, that I could not for some time speak to her, being wholly taken up in gazing. That surprising harmony of features-that charming result of the whole-that exact proportion of the body--that lovely bloom of complexion unsullied by art-the unutterable enchantment of her smile! But her eyes!-large and black, with all the soft languishment of the blue-every turn of her face discovering some new grace.

“After my first surprise was over, I endeavoured, by nicely examining her face, to find out some imperfection, without any fruit of my search, but my being clearly convinced of the error of that vulgar notion, that a face exactly proportioned, and perfectly beautiful, would not be agreeable: nature having done for her with more success what Apelles is said to have essayed, by a collection of the most exact features, to form a perfect face.— Add to all this, a behaviour so full of grace and sweetness, such easy motions, with an air so majestic, yet free from stiffness or affectation, that I am persuaded, could she be suddenly transported upon the most polite throne of Europe, nobody would think her other than born and bred to be a queen, though educated in a country we call bar

barous. To say all in a word, our most celebrated English beauties would vanish near her.

"She was dressed in a caftan of gold brocade, flowered with silver, very well fitted to her shape, and showing to admiration the beauty of her bosom, only shaded by the thin gauze of her shift. Her drawers were pale pink; her waistcoat green and silver; her slippers white satin, finely embroidered; her lovely arms adorned with bracelets of diamonds; and her broad girdle set round with diamonds. Upon her head a rich Turkish handkerchief of pink and silver, her own fine black hair hanging a great length in various tresses, and on one side of her head some bodkins. I am afraid you will accuse me of extravagance in this description. I think I have read somewhere that women always speak in rapture when they speak of beauty; and I cannot imagine why they should not be allowed to do so. For my part, I am not ashamed to own I took more pleasure in looking on the beauteous Fatima, than the finest piece of sculpture could have given me.

"She told me the two girls at her feet were her daughters, though she appeared too young to be their mother. Her fair maids were ranged below the sofa, to the number of twenty, and put me in mind of the ancient nymphs. I did not think all nature could have furnished such a scene of beauty. She made them a sign to play and dance. Four