ADDRESS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 EDUCATION 
 
 AND LITERATURE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 WOMEN ofTURKEY 
 
 DELIVERED BEFORE THE WORLD’S 
 CONGRESS AUXILIARY, 
 
 SATURDAY, JULY 22, 189? 
 
 BY 
 
 SENORITA ESMERALDA CERVANTES 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2016 
 
 https://archive.org/details/addressoneducatiOOcerv 
 
■EDUCATION and LITERATURE 
 
 OR THE 
 
 WOMEN OF TURKEY. 
 
 By Esmeralda Cervantes. 
 
 Harpist to their Majesties Queen Isabella II of Spain; 
 King Don Carlos of Portugal; King George and Queen Olga 
 of Greece; Kammer Virtuosin to His Highness the Duke 
 of Saxe-Coburg Gotha; Ex-Harpist to Emperor Don Pedro 
 and King Don Luis. Honorary President of the Societies: 
 Oriental Hospital Buenos Ayres; Choral of Buenos Ayres, 
 Montevideo, Havana and Barcelona, Orpheon Normal 
 Estudiantina Espanola Fomento de las Artes of Madrid. 
 Benefeciencia of Santa Clara; La Trocha of Cienfuegos. 
 Honorary Member of the Musical Societies: Choral and La 
 Torre of Barcelona; La Lira from Buenos Ayres and Monte- 
 video; Recreo Espanol from Havana; Philharmonic from San- 
 tiago de Cuba Las Palmas and Laguna; Santa Cecelia from 
 Cadiz and Tenerife; Liceo from Vera Cruz; Union from 
 Jalapa; Concert Society from Terragona; Royal Society of 
 Melomanes Gand. Member of Benevolent Societies — Red 
 Cross, Barcelona; French Plospital, Madrid; Los Des am 
 parados, Valencia; Milk Wide, Berlin; Caridad, Mexico; 
 Caridad Beneficiencia, Misericordia of Buenos Ayres; Bene- 
 ficiencia Rosario, Santa Fe; Blind Hospital, Athens and 
 Lima. Scientific Societies — Academica, Lisbon; Geographic, 
 Madrid;Vor Bildunschule, Gotha. Prof, at the Conservatory. 
 Barcelona. Delegate from the Choral Societies and Fomento 
 de los Artes from Madrid to the World’s Columbian Expo- 
 sition. Member of the Board of Lady Jurors for the Exposi- 
 tion. 
 
ADDRESS 
 
 Ladies: — When I was but a little child I visited for the 
 first time this beautiful country, which celebrates now the 
 fourth Centennial of its discovery. 
 
 On revisiting it this time I greet especially the ladies who 
 have contributed to the success of the Exposition — the mem- 
 bers of the Board of Ladies and their worthy President. 
 
 I was in Constantinople when the “El Fomento de las 
 Artes ” of Madrid and the Choral Societies “Euterpe” of 
 Barcelona appointed me to represent them at your wonder- 
 ful Exposition. I accepted the honor with delight and I was 
 preparing for my voyage here when I received a confidential 
 letter from a friefid of mine, a member of the Board of Ladies, 
 requesting me to get for them some information on Woman’s 
 Education in the Orient. I immediately began to search for 
 authentic documents about this, but in vain; there are no 
 statistics in Turkey. I applied to his Excellency Zuhdi Pasha, 
 Minister of Public Instruction, who could not furnish me with 
 the information I wanted. Nevertheless I was not discour- 
 aged, but went on in my investigations, and I am happy to 
 say that my perseverance has not proved unsuccessful. 
 
 Information about European, Greek, Armenian and 
 Israelite schools in Constantinople being more easy to get, I 
 have applied to the managers of those different institutions, 
 and they gave me all the information I asked for. 
 
 For various authors who have written about Turkey, on 
 account of the scarcity of precise information, gave a very 
 inexaet description of Public Instruction in the Ottoman 
 Empire. But it is when these authors speak about woman’s 
 influence in society and her instruction and developement 
 that they commit the greatest blunders. 
 
 The nations of the West have been taught to consider 
 Oriental women as abject slaves, as bodies with no soul, as 
 prisoners inclosed within the four walls of the Harem, spend- 
 
4 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 ing their whole life plunged in deep ignorance, and in hope- 
 less sloth. Perhaps there have been instances when such a 
 life has been imposed on a few women, but taking this up as 
 a general fact and admitting as a rule such an extreme igno- 
 rance of the Oriental woman, is marching against Truth. 
 
 I am honored with the friendship of many Turkish ladies, 
 and I can safely testify that their instruction and develope- 
 ment are not in the least inferior to the education of our own 
 intelligent ladies. 
 
 Their duties commonly comprise the observance of cer- 
 tain customs which practice has converted in laws; for in- 
 stance, the custom of ladies not going out of doors unless 
 their faces are closely veiled, and if rich, escorted by serv- 
 ants, or their children, or their lady friends, or even their 
 slaves. 
 
 Several European authors have founded the erroneous 
 idea they had about female education in the Orient, on totally 
 wrong interpretations of the Koran, which, they pretend, con- 
 demns woman to remain in ignorance. Nothing is more 
 false. On the contrary that sacred book urges most ex- 
 plicitly the propagation of instruction among men as well as 
 among women, in an equal degree and without any distinction 
 whatever. Instead of accusing the Orientals with such false 
 facts it is far better to encourage them in their progress and 
 give them lessons for the future by showing their faults in the 
 past; it is better to consider them as brothers. 
 
 As my friend Fatima Alie Hunam, says in her charming 
 book, “The Mussulman Woman:” “In order to know the 
 Turkish character it is necessary to understand the language 
 and traditions of the country, and to be familiar with the 
 people both in their natural and family character.” 
 
 Permit me then to express my regrets that your committee 
 did not consider expedient to comply with the request of your 
 most honorable Minister, and ask of you to appoint a repre- 
 sentative of your Society in Turkey, as you have done in 
 other countries. 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 5 
 
 I will try first of all to point out as well as I can the most 
 important, though unknown, influence that Oriental Women 
 exert on the march of progress, thanks to the gracious patron- 
 age of His Imperial Majesty, Sultan Abdul-Hamid Khan II, 
 the benefactor of the country that God gave him to rule over. 
 It is indeed since his accession to the throne that female educa- 
 tion has taken up again the course that was interrupted for 
 too long a time. By his strong will that surmounts all 
 obstacles, by his wide and developed mind, by his inexhaus- 
 tible generosity, the Mussulman woman’s education has real- 
 ized during the last fifteen years, a progress that is indeed 
 marvelous. It was only needed to give a little help to the 
 development of her mental faculties, in order to enable the 
 Oriental woman to make herself worthy in so short a time for a 
 place in this universal Congress either in person or by repre- 
 sentation. As I have already said the Mahometan religion is 
 not an obstacle to woman’s development. 
 
 The Koran which contains the basis of all liberal institu- 
 tions and social duties, mutual assistance, equality before the 
 law, respect towards the family, etc., says: 
 
 “Woman’s education must be equal to man’s” (Chapter 
 22nd. Verse 33 to 35.) 
 
 “By God’s demands, I make no distinction between man 
 and woman. The same rewards and the same punishments 
 for both sexes.” He recommends compulsory education both 
 for man and for woman. “It is man’s duty as well as 
 woman’s.” (Chapter 6. Verse 34 to 35.) 
 
 In the Hadiss, the Prophet urges as much work and 
 instruction as possible. He gives suggestions of what woman’s 
 education should be. 
 
 From the very beginning of Mahometan society’s constitu- 
 tion well developed and intellectual women are mentioned. 
 
 Before Mohometan’s time, the pagan Arabs had the cus- 
 tom to kill their girls in times of poverty. The Prophet 
 abolished this barbarous custom in his Koran (Chap. 6, Verse 
 
 152). 
 
6 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 (Chap. LXVI, Verse II, Note 2d of Kazimirski’s French 
 Translation of the Koran.) Mahomet used to say that there 
 are but four perfect women, namely: Asia, wife of Pharaoh; 
 Mary, mother of Jesus; Khadidjia, first wife of Mahomet, and 
 Fatima, his daughter. By this saying he immortalized his 
 wife’s and his daughter’s names. 
 
 The list of famous women produced by Musselman 
 society is very long. 
 
 Aiche, daughter of Abou-Bekir and Mahomet’s wife, was 
 a poetess. One day she heard Joseph’s story, narrated after 
 the Arabian tradition. Zelika, wife o£ Putiphar, irritated wite 
 the great Egyptian ladies for their scoffing at her love to a mere 
 slave, invited them to dinner and ordered it to be served by 
 Joseph himself. On the beautiful slave’s appearance, the 
 guests were taken with such a wonder and admiration at his 
 beauty that, not knowing what they did, they cut their fingers 
 with the knives they were peeling their fruit with. All at 
 once Aiche, getting inspired, extemporized the following 
 verses: * 
 
 “ If these women who had scoffed at Zelika had cut their 
 fingers on seeing Joseph, Oh Mahomet, these same women 
 on seeing thee, would have been so impressed that they would 
 have cut their hearts in admiring thy brow. If the Egyptians 
 had seen thy face’s charm they would have paid little for 
 buying Joseph.” 
 
 Aiche’s poems constitute a remarkable feature in ancient 
 Arabic literature. 
 
 Esma, Aiche’s sister, was one of the most eminent women 
 of “the Happy Days” (the Prophet’s time). 
 
 Fatima, daughter of Mahomet, famous for her eloquence, 
 has also written many poems. She was celebrated for her 
 strong memory. 
 
 Nefisse, teacher of the celebrated Imans-Chafie, was 
 nicknamed “ the Doctor,” on account of her different literary 
 works. She is buried in a mosque in Egypt which bears her 
 
 name. 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 7 
 
 Sekine, daughter of Huseim and granddaughter of the 
 poet Emirulkais, has left a great name through her writings 
 and her bravery. 
 
 Rubabb, sister of Sekine and daughter of Hassan, was 
 immortalized with her sister, by a verse of Hussein, so ex- 
 pressed: 
 
 “Oh, for thy life, Sekine, I have loved no place where 
 thou or Rubabb are not. I will spend all my fortune for you 
 both, with nobody daring to upbraid me for it, for you are 
 truly worthy of it.” 
 
 Husnie, lady of Isman Joafer Sadik’s harem, took part 
 in thirty literary and scientific competitions, which were held 
 in presence of the Kaliph Haaron-al-Rachid and the two 
 celebrated sages Nizam and Kadi Jussuf. She gained the 
 prizes in philosophy of law, ethics, etc. She has left numer- 
 ous writings among which a book entitled “Book of Husnie.” 
 
 Zelkele et Himieri of the tribe of Homieri was the au- 
 thoress of many poems. Her sister became famous through 
 her warlike adventures. 
 
 Rubeai Adeive, of the tribe of Adevi, renowned for her 
 eloquence has written remarkable treatises on Religious Mor- 
 als. The book “Tez-Keretul-Evli” (Voages of Chesh-Attor) 
 gives details about them. 
 
 Tadjul Devle, daughter of Abdul-el-Devle, is known for 
 her comments on philosophy and ethics. She was a poetess 
 at the same time. Here is an example of her poetry : “I 
 
 bow before this ideal that comes to greet me. In its smile I 
 see the sun’s rays reflected. Oh, what rapture. Surely all 
 that the great sorcerers Harute and Marute know in their art 
 of guessing, they have seen it in their eyes.” 
 
 Princess Kermani, surnamed by the Persians “the illus- 
 trious poetess,” has been immortalized by verses which the 
 famous Poet Cheik Saadi dedicated to her. 
 
 Among the women of the last century who have been im- 
 mortalized by their talents Leila and Fitmet must be men- 
 tioned in the very first rank. Their writings will serve as 
 models of literature to learned Orientals. Here are a few 
 
s 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 fragments of their works: “Thy fair portrait has appeared 
 
 before my soul as a star in the heavens. That grand ideal 
 has introduced itself in my little heart. This heart so small 
 has sufficed to contain that portrait, that vast wonder of a 
 greatness equal — equal to what? Perhaps to a planet full of 
 fire. 
 
 • 
 
 “It is not only the lines of that marvelous beauty that 
 Providence has so carefully drawn on thy visage, a picture of 
 facinating harmony. It is not only those angelic features, it 
 is the remembrance of those lovely walks in contemplation of 
 beautiful green nature. 
 
 “Is not all that much surprising for a little heart? 
 
 “The image of that stately figure is always engraved in 
 the lover’s eves. What a wonderful art it is that makes a 
 
 X 
 
 grand forest tree hold a place in so little a heart with all its 
 majestic height. Would it not be thought as a crystal bottle? 
 
 “Oh, I am plunged in rapture— and I meditate.” 
 
 On passing one day through the Bazar where the candles 
 were being made, Leila saw among the workman a youth of 
 wondrous beauty. She admired and came every day to see 
 him. A poet of the times, having known the cause taught 
 the youth a few verses which he should recite to Leila at her 
 next visit. 
 
 “Go, look not on me with such interest. My cheeks, 
 though not devoid of certain lustre, are so pale that the poets 
 have compared them to the wax I am working on. Go, stare 
 not, on me so near, for thou might burn thyself in the flame.” 
 
 Leila answered him with an admirable presence of mind : 
 
 “Thou wilt soon receive a perfumed letter, and then 
 thou shalt be obliged to look for me by the light of the can- 
 dles.” 
 
 Again here are two verses full of wit : 
 
 “I have undone thy curls with my hands ; I have combed 
 them; what shall I do ? I was looking for chains for my 
 dreamy soul.” 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 9 
 
 Ifet Hanoum was a celebrated poetess. A few verses of 
 hers read thus : “In sleep I was seeking rest ; I had no other 
 
 hope but of thee in my dreams.” 
 
 Hachemie was a poetess with a remarkably fine voice, 
 and she was introduced into the palace of Kaliph Ali-Ben- 
 Hicham (see book again, Vol. VII.). 
 
 Djemile, poetess, artist and musician was received into 
 Beni Selim’s palace. The celebrated poet, Abdul Rahman, 
 called her “the gem of the fair sex” (see again Vol VII.). 
 
 Abidetul Tamburie, who was called chief by the famous 
 musician, Abu-Hachiche, was as beautiful as she was a good 
 musician. 
 
 FAMOUS CONTEMPORARY WOMEN. 
 
 Among the contemporary women 1 must mention in the 
 first place: 
 
 Alier Hanoum, who wrote various works, among which 
 “The Mussulman Women” is a classic book full of details 
 on the customs and habits of oriental women. She also has 
 translated George Ohnet’s “Volonte, ” a novel on customs, 
 and many treatises published in the papers. 
 
 Makboule Hanoum is a philisophic author. Her works 
 are published daily in the Turkish journal, Terdjuman 
 Hakikat. She has besides written a pamphlet, “Vedat. ” 
 
 Leila Hanoum, daughter of the late Ismail Pasha, is well 
 known by her articles and her poetry which have been pub- 
 lished in the Turkish papers. It is indeed to be regretted 
 that her works have never been published in one volume. 
 
 Gulnar Hanoum is a remarkable philosophic writer. 
 
 Muhrul Nessa Hanoum is still very young and of great 
 promise. She has been known and much admired through 
 the journals which have published her works. 
 
 Zafer Hanoum, wife of Hilmi Effendi, is familiar with the 
 French, Turkish, Cxreek, Arabic and Persian languages. She 
 has written four books, one of which is a novel. 
 
 Kamer Hanoum has written a book on Mohammedan re- 
 ligious precepts. 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 I O 
 
 Emine Semie Hanoum is the author of an arithmetic, 
 which she has written for the benefit of the pauper asylum. 
 I might still mention many other Turkish lady authors, but 
 the too narrow limits of this study allow me to go no further. 
 
 TURKISH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS IN CONSTANTINOPLE, 1893. 
 
 There are in Constantinople three Turkish schools for 
 girls, two of which were founded ten years ago by his excel- 
 lency, Subhi Pasha, then minister of finance. Since their 
 foundation these schools have much prospered under the 
 able management of Misses Calavassi and Hanley. The 
 first school has ioo boarders, the second 114 day scholars, 
 and the third, at Scutari, in Asia, directed by Muzen Hanoum, 
 daughter of Haldi Pasha, has 150 scholars. The girls are 
 under the paternal charge and generosity of his imperial 
 majesty, who provides for their food and clothing, marries 
 them and gives them a small dowry. 
 
 The studies are: Turkish language, history and geog- 
 raphy of the Ottoman empire, arithmetic, drawing and 
 piano. As for the needle work, they are taught oriental and 
 European systems of it and they produce very fine em- 
 broideries and Turkish carpets. 
 
 We have been charmed to see the order and discipline 
 that prevail in these schools, much to the praise of Misses 
 Hanley and Calavassi. 
 
 The normal school, under the direction of Refica 
 Hanoum, has been established twenty-two years, and it con- 
 tains 190 day scholars, ten professors and ten teachers. 
 Drawing and piano are taught there. After four years’ study 
 in Turkish a diploma is given to the graduates, who by its 
 means can become teachers in Turkish houses or in pro- 
 vincial girl schools. This is also a free school. A perfect 
 order reigns inside. The director of this normal school is a 
 very distinguished and educated lady. She knows French, 
 German, English, Greek, Turkish and Armenian. She can 
 play on the piano and make very artistic drawings. 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 1 I 
 
 It is to be regretted for the children of these schools that 
 they are no more encouraged in their studies by means of 
 prizes as they were two years ago. 
 
 Following is a list of schools : 
 
 Normal School in Stamboul, 
 
 No. of 
 Schools. 
 
 Day 
 
 Scholars. 
 
 Board- 
 
 ers. 
 
 Teach- 
 
 ers. 
 
 director, Refica Hanourn, 
 
 I 
 
 I9O 
 
 
 2 0 
 
 Professional School, direc- 
 tor, Miss Calavassi, 
 Professional School Stamboul, 
 
 I 
 
 
 I OO 
 
 18 
 
 director, Miss Hanley, 
 
 I 
 
 130 
 
 
 ■9 
 
 Professional School Scutari, 
 director, Muzen Hanourn, 
 Higher Primary Schools 
 
 I 
 
 1 20 
 
 
 9 
 
 (ruschdies), 
 
 14 
 
 95 s 
 
 
 5 6 
 
 Primary Schools, 
 
 65 
 
 43 s 5 
 
 
 130 
 
 Private and Primary Teaching, 
 
 14 
 
 762 
 
 220 
 
 3 6 
 
 
 97 
 
 6 5 45 
 
 3 20 
 
 178 
 
 GREEK SCHOOLS FOR GIRLS IN CONSTANTINOPLE. 
 
 The Greek schools for girls, Zappion, Pallas and Yioaki- 
 mion, assimila'ted to the University of Athens, are supported 
 by the students’ tuitions and by the generosity of rich Greeks. 
 The studies taught are the foreign languages, geography, 
 mathematics, history, art, vocal and instrumental music, 
 drawing and painting. 
 
 The diplomas of these schools are accepted by the Uni- 
 versities of Greece, France, Switzerland and Germany. 
 
 From these schools graduate the teachers who direct the 
 Greek schools in Turkey. 
 
 These schools, besides the second and third rank are under 
 the supervision of the Greek Patriarch for girls. 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 I 2 
 
 Following is a list of schools: 
 
 No. of Schools. 
 
 Classes. 
 
 Students. 
 
 Teachers. 
 
 ■“ Zappion ” School, 
 
 I 
 
 8 
 
 328 
 
 27 
 
 Pallas School, 
 
 I 
 
 9 
 
 147 
 
 27 
 
 “Yoakimion” School, 
 
 I 
 
 7 
 
 172 
 
 I 2 
 
 Common Schools, 
 
 3 
 
 2 I 
 
 1306 
 
 3 ° 
 
 Fligh Schools, 
 
 1 1 
 
 32 
 
 869 
 
 23 
 
 Mixed Schools, 
 
 i? 
 
 58 
 
 575 
 
 34 
 
 Middle Schools, 
 
 x 3 
 
 61 
 
 1240 
 
 52 
 
 Primary Schools, 
 
 8 
 
 22 
 
 59 ^ 
 
 14 
 
 
 55 
 
 2l8 
 
 5 2 33 
 
 199 
 
 FRENCH SCHOOLS FOR 
 
 GIRLS IN CONSTANTINOPLE 
 
 > lS 93 - 
 
 'rite “ Pensionnat de 
 
 Notre 
 
 Dante 
 
 de Sion” 
 
 is the first 
 
 ■school for girls in Constantinople for the instruction and 
 good bearing of the students. There are special professors 
 belonging to this institution for the sciences, mathematics, 
 physics, the foreign languages and the arts. There are two 
 schools of this order one in Pera and the other in Kadikeny. 
 
 The “Saint Vincent de Paul” sisters, as well as the 
 ■“Saint Joseph” and the “Augustines” sisters teach to the 
 middle and low classes the manual labors, washing, ironing, 
 embroidery, flowering, planting and all that is necessary in 
 housekeeping. All these convents give a free asylum to poor 
 children and a lunch is served them at noon. 
 
 The students of Mesdames Deveaux and Sdiaftner’s insti- 
 tution* receive an instruction similar to that of Notre Dante de 
 Sion, The government materially helps all the asylums. 
 
 Following is a list of schools: 
 
 Pensionnat de N. D. de Sion in 
 
 Classes. 
 
 Students. 
 
 Teachers. 
 
 Pancaldi, established 1865, 
 
 I 2 
 
 284 
 
 3 ° 
 
 de Kadikeny, established 1865, 
 
 I 2 
 
 X 5 ° 
 
 3 ° 
 
 St. Vincent de Paul Sisters, 
 
 8 
 
 3 °° 
 
 20 
 
 Augustines Sisters, 
 
 9 
 
 250 
 
 22 
 
 St. Joseph Sisters, 
 
 .Mines. Deveaux and Schaffners 
 
 6 
 
 2S0 
 
 18 
 
 Institution, 
 
 I I 
 
 250 
 
 16 
 
 
 58 
 
 X 5 X 4 
 
 136 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOR GIRLS IN CONSTANTINOPLE. 
 
 There are two English Schools for girls under the British 
 Embassy’s protection, one in Pera, founded by Lady Baidett 
 Couls; this institution’s lot of ground was donated by His 
 Majesty the Sultan. The boarder students are not many on 
 account of want of space in the building. 
 
 The other institution governed by Miss Grabaur is under 
 the direction of a committee who appoint the director. 
 
 The students of both of these schools are prepared for 
 the examination for which the college of teachers in London 
 gives certificates. 
 
 GERMAN SCHOOLS FOR GIRLS IN CONSTANTINOPLE, 1 893. 
 
 These schools are supported partly through the student's 
 tuition and partly by the government. 
 
 High School, 
 
 Schools. 
 
 I 
 
 Students. 
 
 *5° 
 
 Classes. 
 
 l6 
 
 Teachers. 
 
 14 
 
 Mixed and Kindergarten, 
 
 I 
 
 200 
 
 6 
 
 9 
 
 
 2 250 
 
 2 2 
 
 2 3 
 
 The United States Missionary Society established at 
 Scutari, in Asia, an excellent school for girls where the girls 
 receive a secondary education. The studies taught are for- 
 eign languages, vocal and instrumental music, drawing and 
 painting. 
 
 The Austrian, Italian, Persian, Bulgarian and Russian 
 Schools are supported by their respective governments. 
 
 ARMENIAN SCHOOLS FOR GIRLS IN CONSTAOTINOPLE, 1893. 
 
 The Armenian Schools are supported by three committees,, 
 the Armenian Catholic and the Armenian Gregorian and the 
 Armenian Protestant, and by private donation. 
 
 Community Schools, 
 
 Classes. 
 
 24 
 
 Students. 
 
 400 
 
 Teachers. 
 
 72 
 
 Secondary Schools, 
 
 7 
 
 * 5 ° 
 
 2 I 
 
 Free Schools (Asylum), 
 
 33 
 
 L-° 3 ° 
 
 60 
 
 High- Schools, 
 
 2 
 
 170 
 
 60 
 
 Secondary Schools, 
 
 1 
 
 130 
 
 7 7 
 
 
 67 
 
 1,880 
 
 2 5 ° 
 
14 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 ALLIANCE ISRAELITE UNIVERSELLE SCHOOLS FOR GIRLS IN 
 CONSTANTINOPLE. 
 
 The Israelite Schools for girls are supported by the Alli- 
 ance Isrealite, which besides the books and stationery and 
 other such materials for classes, furnishes with clothing the 
 poor students. 
 
 Most of the students of the Alliance Israelite Schools are 
 educated free of charge. 
 
 The programme of studies in the schools of Constanti- 
 nople comprises French, Hebrew, German (for those who 
 speak this language), Universal History and Geography, 
 Arithmetic, Natural History, Physics, Chemistry, Drawing, 
 Singing, Sewing, Embroidery and Ironing. 
 
 The Alliance Israelite Schools have no other aim than to 
 
 propogate education among 
 
 the poorer 
 
 classes 
 
 and exercise 
 
 them in manual work. 
 
 Pay Students. 
 
 Teachers. 
 
 Free Students. 
 
 Balat founded, 1882, 
 
 27 
 
 8 
 
 298 
 
 Daghaman, founded, 1880, 
 
 3 ° 
 
 4 
 
 9 2 
 
 Galata, founded, 1879, 
 
 60 
 
 8 
 
 230 
 
 Haskeuy, founded 1875 
 
 3 6 
 
 10 
 
 267 
 
 Ortakeuy, founded 1881, 
 
 44 
 
 6 
 
 60 
 
 
 201 
 
 3 6 
 
 967 
 
 Besides these there are other lower private schools. 
 
 During Sultan Mahmoud’s reign the first music band was 
 organized under the supervision of Maestro Donizetti, brother 
 of the great and celebrated composer. 
 
 Under Sultan Abdul Medjid’s reign this band's direction 
 was given in 1844 to Maestro Guatelli Pasha. 
 
 Sultan Abdul Aziz charged him to organize and manage 
 an orchestra of Circassian Ladies in the Imperial Harem. I 
 have been told that when his Majesty invited some distin- 
 guished personages, he had this band composed of eighty 
 young ladies play different airs, all hidden behind a screen. 
 Her Majesty, Empress Eugenie, was much astonished with 
 their music. 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 l 5 
 
 His Majesty, Sultan Abdul Hamid Khan II, suppressed 
 this feminine orchestra, substituting it by the Imperial band 
 which is rather mediocre, notwithstanding the eminent musi- 
 cians who are members of it. The money spent for this 
 music corps is indeed fabulous. With the same expenses a 
 Conservatory might be instituted and regulated like those of 
 Europe and an Orchestra formed, that might be envied by all 
 the nations in the world. 
 
 As musicians 1 could name many ladies who are excep- 
 tions in the study of music, but I will only give the names of 
 some of my pupils on the harp, who are very talented and of 
 some that are noticed for their skillful play on the piano and 
 Oriental instruments. The princess Emina Hanoum, daughter 
 of His Highness, Ismael Pasha, Ex-Khedive from Egypt; the 
 princess Sahra, daughter of His Highness, Halim Pasha; 
 Leila Hanoum, daughter of His Excellence, Hamdy Bey, the 
 eminent archeologist; Seigner Hanoum, daughter of His Ex- 
 cellence, Ferid Bey; Lucy Woods, daughter of His Excellence, 
 Wood Pasha. All of them play with the characteristic 
 poetry of the Orient. 
 
 On the piano are distinguished their Highnesses, the Sul- 
 tan’s sisters and daughters of His Imperial Majesty; the prin- 
 cess Nimet, daughter of His Highness, Ismael Pasha; the 
 princesses, daughters of Halim Pasha; the daughters of the 
 prince Hosman Pasha, (Miserly); the daughters of Gelal 
 Pasha; Mustafa Bey, and Galit Bey, and Rebeca Hanoum, 
 daughter of Sarah Hanoum. 
 
 I will not dwell any longer on this subject about Oriental 
 women who have already shown great intelligence. I will 
 only remark here that the Oriental women possess a deep, 
 natural, poetic instinct, as I have been able to see myself in 
 my careful investigation during the preparation of this modest 
 work. I feel certain that by developing the Oriental woman’s 
 mind she will teach her children to love to study the science 
 and the arts, for you know well, Ladies, that the majority of 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 I 6 
 
 eminent men have had their mothers as guides and coun- 
 sellors. 
 
 I have tried to present to you the educational out-look for 
 the women of the Orient, and now I ask the cultured lovely 
 women of this great Congress to join with me in an expression 
 of thanks to His gracious Majesty, the Sultan Abdul Hamud 
 Kahn, II, of Turkey, for his efforts for the advancement of 
 the women of the beautiful Olne Bosphoros. 
 
BRENTANO’S 
 
 CHICAGO