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PREFACE
The intelligent traveller is generally the precursor of the historian; the first gives the materials, the latter works them up and explains them. The authoress of the work now given in a translated form to the public, is a very close observer, and very artistic in giving the results of her observations. Being a woman, family life in the East seems to have had great attraction for her, and forms the most charming and instructive part of her work.
Nothing seems to stand in more startling contrast than the domestic, social and political condition of the East when compared to that of the West. And if we inquire as to what this strange contrast is due, we are sorely perplexed to form an answer. Is it due to difference of climate, of race, of religion, of government, or to all these combined? Are the people capable of absorbing the elements of western civilization and consequently of attaining the same point of moral and intellectual culture? Before a general history of the world can be written so as to explain these anomalies, the questions here propounded must find a satisfactory answer. Meanwhile we may all take pleasure in recurring to the pages of every intelligent traveler by way of seeing to what extent the state of our own country may correspond to that of others, and in what important particulars the conditions of life on this planet differ.
A short sketch of the life of our authoress cannot but greatly increase the interest of the reader in her work. Christine, Princess Belgiojoso, is a daughter of the Marquis of Trevulzio, a nobleman of Lombardy. Born in 1808, she was married to Prince Belgiojoso in 1824. Endowed with a strong and liberal mind, the Princess gave her attention early in life to political and philosophical subjects, varying her studies by literary pursuits and travelling, and as opportunities offered, by taking an active part in the drama of Italian independence. Unable to endure Austrian rule, the Princess removed from Milan to Paris where her fortune, rank, love of arts, literature and freedom, attracted to her a select and admiring circle of friends, many of them the leading literary men of France. In 1848, when Italy took up arms against the despotism of Austria, the Princess returned to Milan to aid the cause of the revolution, raising a battalion of volunteers at her own expense, and, it is said, leading them against the Austrians in person, "displaying courage and presence of mind that would have done credit to the most experienced soldier." The revolution, however, failed. The Princess was exiled by the Austrian government and her property confiscated. She now retreated to Asia Minor and resided there three years, employing her time in collecting material for future literary labors. The Emperor of Austria having granted a general amnesty, the Princess returned again to Milan and had her property restored to her. She now remained in Italy until the glorious campaign in 1859, when Italy became forever free from Austrian dominion. Since that period the Princess Belgiojoso has proved to be one of the ablest supporters of Victor Emanuel, and especially of the patriotic Count Cavour, whose genius she fully appreciated and to whom she rendered highly important services. "She was," says the North British Review, previously quoted, "one of his most active and indefatigable agents, travelling from place to place holding conferences, soothing differences, reconciling republicans and constitutionalists, and gaining new friends and allies." A summary of her political career and character is thus given by the same authority: "Nobly born, rich and beautiful, with every temptation to a life of ease and luxury, she has again and again risked rank and wealth and life in the cause of Italian independence, … undergoing the hardships and vicissitudes of poverty and exile rather than submit to the Austrian yoke." As the reviewer remarks, "She presents one of the most striking and original figures in contemporary biography."
The literary labors of the Princess Belgiojoso consist principally of articles contributed to a political of high character called La Liberté de Penser, published at Paris in the days of the Republic, but long since extinct; Notions d'histoire à l'usage des enfants; Asie-Mineure et Syrie, the present work; Scènes de la vie Turque, and a Histoire de la Maison de Savoie, written with a view of making the world better acquainted with the Sardinian dynasty. To these must be added a translation into French of a portion of the works of Vico, a proof in itself of the Princess' intellectual ability and philosophical tendency.
Having a few years ago made a visit to the East, and having been an eye-witness of many of the scenes and peculiarities or life described by our authoress, the translator can bear conscientious testimony to the fidelity of her picture. It is her faithful description of scenes and customs open to the observation of all travellers, that justifies full confidence in her reports of oriental family relationships and of the extraordinary arrangements of the Harem which the Princess was singularly privileged in observing.
New York, May 1, 1862
Introduction
I can recall many days of the period of my sojourn in the East which possess for me a certain charm, notwithstanding the fatigue and excitement with which they were filled; days of painful journeyings alternating with still more painful stoppages that occurred between my departure from Anatolia in January, 1852, and my arrival at Jerusalem in the spring of that year. Within a few months l was able to observe the bright and dark sides of that oriental life of which a somewhat long residence in a quiet valley of Asia Minor had disclosed to me only the severest aspects. Of aIl the souvenirs bequeathed to mc by the Orient, there are none accordingly that l investigate with more cheerfulness than these, none that l yield to more readily when I strive to fix my ideas concerning the strange people amongst whom l was for a moment transported. A few episodes detached from this period of my life will perhaps justify the preference with which my thought now recurs to it. They will furthermore show, in certain particulars, the physiognomy of the populations which this journey permitted me to observe, and whereof the accounts up to this day made public gave me but a very faint idea.
The Syria l visited, for example, bears but little resemblance … |
