The stream has been walled
up to the top of its banks, which are from three to six feet above the
water, and there are sunny meadows and fine large trees on each side.
The sultan has a summer palace here with a pretty garden, and the stream
has been dammed up by blocks of white marble cut in scallops like
shells, over which the water falls in a cascade. The road to the Sweet
Waters, with one or two others, was made after the sultan's return from
his European trip, and in anticipation of the empress Eugenie's visit.
European carriages were also introduced at that time. The ladies of the
sultan's harem drive out in very handsome coupes, with coachmen wearing
the sultan's livery, but you more frequently see the queer one-horse
Turkish carriage, and sometimes a "cow-carriage." This last is drawn by
cows or oxen: it is an open wagon, with a white cloth awning ornamented
with gay fringes and tassels. Many people go in caiques, and all carry
bright-colored rugs, which they spread on the grass. There they sit for
several hours and gossip with each other, or take their luncheons and
spend the afternoon. A Turkish woman is never seen to better advantage
than when "made up" for such an excursion. Her house-dress is always
hidden by a large cloak, which comes down to the ground and has loose
sleeves and a cape. The cloak is left open at the neck to show the lace
and necklace worn under it, and is generally made of silk, often of
exquisite shades of pink, blue, purple or any color to suit the taste of
the wearer.
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