We observed two women looking out of a balcony, and earnestly beckoning
to us. We were the more surprised at their appearance, as we believed
that the Mahometan women of the Caucasus, like those of Persia, were
strictly confined to the interior of their houses, or that, at all
events, they never went unveiled, a custom which we found was not
general among the inhabitants of the Caucasus. We, however, entered the
house, and saw in the court two Russian grenadiers, who, by a mistake of
their corporal, had taken there quarters here, and whose presence was
the cause of the inquietude manifested by the two ladies, who, with an
old man, were the only inhabitants of the house. Whilst the soldiers
were explaining these things to us, they appeared at the top of the
stairs, and again renewed their invitation by violent gesticulations. On
a nearer approach, we guessed by their age that they were mother and
daughter. The former, who still preserved much of the freshness and
beauty of youth, wore very tight trousers, a short tunic, and a veil,
which fell in graceful folds on her back, while round her neck she had
some valuable jewels, though badly mounted. With respect to the
daughter, who was scarcely fifteen years of age, she was so
extraordinarily beautiful, that both my companion and myself remained
awhile motionless, and struck with admiration. Never in my life have I
seen a more perfect form. Her dress consisted of a short white tunic,
almost transparent, fastened only at the throat by a clasp. A veil,
negligently thrown over one shoulder, permitted part of her beautiful
ebony tresses to be seen. Her trousers were of an extremely fine tissue,
and her socks of the most delicate workmanship. The old man received us
in a room adjoining the staircase: he was seated on the carpet, smoking
a small pipe, according to the custom of the inhabitants of the
Caucasus, who cultivate tobacco. He made repeated signs to us to sit
down, that is to say, in the Asiatic manner, a posture extremely
inconvenient for those who, like ourselves, wore long and tight
trousers, whilst the two beautiful women on their side earnestly
seconded his request. We complied with it, though it was the first time
that either of us had made the essay. The ladies, having left the room
for a moment, returned with a salver of dried fruits, and a beverage
made of sugar and milk; but I was so much engaged in admiring their
personal attractions, that I paid but little attention to their
presents. It appeared to me an inconceivable caprice of nature to have
produced such prodigies of perfection amidst such a rude and barbarous
people, who value their women less than their stirrups. My companion,
who like myself was obliged to accept of their refreshments, remarked to
me, whilst the old man was conversing with them, what celebrity a woman
so transcendently beautiful as the daughter was would acquire in any of
the capitals of Europe, had she but received the benefits of a suitable
education.--_Van Halen's Narrative._
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