of two months, in which intrigues of all kinds were at work to defeat our minister, the exchange of ratifications has finally taken place, and the Americans here feel as if they were now on an independent footing.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Armenian Party-Their Dress-Character and History of the Armenians→→ Their Occupations-Religious Distinctions among them-Exile of the Catholic Armenians-Circumstance which led to their recall-Part taken by them during the Russian Campaign-Their literary turn.

WE E were invited a few evenings since to the house of a friend, where we were informed that several Armenian ladies would be present, and where we should have an opportunity of seeing in perfection the exact costume of the higher classes of Turkish ladies, as they appear upon occasions of ceremony when male visiters are excluded. The Armenians in fact resemble the Turks more than any other people. Like them, they are of oriental origin, and in manner, customs, modes of thinking, and every thing but religion, may be considered as the same people. The Armenian party consisted of four ladies, accompanied by their husbands, brothers, and father. They were, indeed, dressed out in a marvellous manner, and one in particular was so splendidly attired, that albeit unused to describe the fancy work of milliners, we must in compliment to our fair readers attempt at least a sketch of her appearance.

A small scarlet cap with a purple tassel just fitted the top of her head, and round this was gracefully wound an ample turban of silver tissue, with a superb sprig of the most costly diamonds in front. The hair, which was fancifully

intermingled with silk of various hues, hung down in graceful curls over the back and shoulders. A dark velvet jacket with large variegated silken sleeves, embroidered with gold in the most expensive style, fitted tight to the body above, and hung down about her feet in divers strange and fantastical scollops and appendages, which it is utterly impossible to describe. An open under dress of black crape, and beneath this the prettiest Turkish drawers in the world, of gold and silver tissue, with tiny yellow terleeks, or boots, completed the most splendid and certainly the most costly dress we ever witnessed. In the dazzling effect produced by this gorgeous and becoming dress, and its connexion with a lovely face, we certainly never should have dreamed of its pecuniary value, had it not been whispered to us that the little gipsy actually wore on her person at that moment articles costing not less than five thousand dollars. The splendid diamond ring on her finger was a present from her husband when they were first betrothed, and the brilliant sprig or plume in her turban was another present when she first unveiled and permitted her husband to see her face. Although the general effect of the dress was magnificent and imposing in a high degree, yet as she entered the room all the Americans present were ready to pronounce her to be one of our own red women of the forest. The comparison was heightened by the similarity in the complexion of the Armenian ladies, which, let it be said in a whisper, borders, if not exactly upon the tawny, at least upon something approaching to it. They entered the room with the ease of well-bred women, and after the usual salutation, which consists in placing the right hand in rapid succession to the breast, mouth, and forehead, they proceeded to take their seats. This, however, is no easy task without much previous practice, owing to their flowing robes and the manner in which it is necessary to dispose of them previous to sitting down. The external slippers or papooshes are first shuffled off, and left on the carpet near

the divan or low sofa with which every house in Turkey is provided. They step upon the divan, and turning round lower themselves down in a way which it would be difficult to describe. It is not exactly cross-legged, although apparently something like it, and is varied occasionally by resting on their knees for a change of posture. One of the young ladies was a near relative of the heroine of M'Farlane's clever novel entitled The Armenians. The story is founded upon an event of real life which occurred at Constantinople a few months before our arrival. Veronica Tinghir Oglou was pointed out to us one day from the window of her father's house on the Bosphorus. The young Greek is still alive at Jassy, and, very unhero-like, boasts of the sums of money which he expended in obtaining the fair Veronica.

The Armenians form no inconsiderable part, and by far the most respectable portion of the Christian population of the East. Their closely shorn heads, their immense balloon hats, flowing robes, and solemn air impress a stranger at first sight very disagreeably, but this wears off upon a further acquaintance. Strange as it may appear to those who only know them under their present aspect, which is that of a patient, money-getting, prudent, and timid race, they were formerly a brave and warlike people. Originally inhabiting Armenia, they bravely and desperately contended with the Persians in many a bloody field, but were finally subdued, and their martial propensities so thoroughly quenched, that we hear nothing of them for many succeeding generations, except as a great and flourishing agricultural people. They had so completely abandoned the sword for the ploughshare, that, like our own Quakers, they submitted to insult and injury rather than attempt even a show of resistance. As skilful and patient cultivators of the soil, their labours were blessed by plentiful harvests, which but too often they were not permitted to reap. In the wars between Persia and Turkey their now rich and fertile

country became a convenient granary, from whence the Turkish armies derived their supplies when they made their inroads upon Persia. At length Shah Abbas the Great (as he is designated in history) determined from motives of state policy to lay waste the whole country, and remove the peaceable and unresisting inhabitants into the interior of his own empire. By this decisive but cruel measure he prevented the encampment of Turkish armies on the frontiers of his dominions, at the expense, however, of the lives of thousands of an inoffensive race. Its effects were nevertheless advantageous to his country, for by incorporating such a patient and laborious people among his own subjects, he gave a new spirit of activity and industry, which greatly increased the wealth and resources of his empire.

After this forced emigration, the Armenians could not in their new situation cultivate the soil, and were therefore compelled to substitute commerce for agriculture. In their new pursuits they displayed the same unwearied patience, industry, and prudence, and were soon distinguished as enterprising, intelligent, and upright merchants throughout Europe and Asia. It is difficult, nay almost impossible, as we have already frequently had occasion to mention, to ascertain the actual Armenian population; and hence it can be but mere conjecture which estimates the whole number of Armenians in the Turkish empire at 2,000,000. In Constantinople and its suburbs they are supposed to exceed 120,000, and exercise all the trades and occupations required in a large city. The most wealthy are bankers and brokers. They buy up specie and loan it to the Turks at the rate of twenty and thirty per cent. They allow twelve per cent. on all deposites, and are proudly distinguished for their punctuality and integrity. There are Armenian surgeons, physicians, and apothecaries. They are the chief housebuilders, masons, cabinet-makers; and as farriers and horse-breakers are said to be the best in the country. They also form a large portion of the water

carriers of the metropolis, transporting this important fluid in large leathern bags upon their shoulders. Indeed they exercise all the mechanic arts, and from their activity, industry, and ingenuity, have been termed the Yankees of the East. This, however, seems hardly applicable, for they are not partial to innovations, are grave, taciturn, docile, and meek under injuries. From their docility, endurance of fatigue, and patience, the Turks with more propriety term them men camels.

They are divided into two great sects. One is termed Catholic, and the other heretic, schismatic, or gross Armenians. As the religious belief of these two sects varies only in a few unimportant particulars, they of course hold each other in utter detestation. The schismatic Armenians do not acknowledge the supremacy of the pope; but to compensate for this, observe their fasts with scrupulous severity. On their fast days they avoid with horror the use of meat, fish, butter, milk, and cheese, and during Lent abstain likewise from caviar, oil, oysters, muscles, and clams. Their priests marry, and their patriarch, who resides at Jerusalem, is called Etchmiadzin Aratch Nortuk. The most obnoxious article of their faith is their belief in certain saints and martyrs, who are regarded by the other sect as entirely apocryphal.

The Catholic Armenians are few in number when compared with the schismatics, but by various means had contrived to occupy all the most lucrative offices and situations within their reach. This of course did not fail to increase the rancour already existing between them. It is impossible to say what grounds existed for the charge that the Catholic Armenians were spies in the interest and pay of the European powers. It is, however, well known that many of them were in the employ of foreigners, and enjoyed foreign protection in the capital; and when the Russians occupied Adrianople they were of material service to the enemy. Whatever may have been the foundation for the

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