Circassian and Georgian girls are still sold in Constantinople by their parents, but not publicly.  The great slave marts we have all read so much about—­where tender young girls were stripped for inspection, and criticised and discussed just as if they were horses at an agricultural fair—­no longer exist.  The exhibition and the sales are private now.  Stocks are up, just at present, partly because of a brisk demand created by the recent return of the Sultan’s suite from the courts of Europe; partly on account of an unusual abundance of bread-stuffs, which leaves holders untortured by hunger and enables them to hold back for high prices; and partly because buyers are too weak to bear the market, while sellers are amply prepared to bull it.  Under these circumstances, if the American metropolitan newspapers were published here in Constantinople, their next commercial report would read about as follows, I suppose: 

Slavegirl market report.

“Best brands Circassians, crop of 1850, L200; 1852, L250; 1854, L300.  Best brands Georgian, none in market; second quality, 1851, L180.  Nineteen fair to middling Wallachian girls offered at L130 @ 150, but no takers; sixteen prime A 1 sold in small lots to close out—­terms private.

“Sales of one lot Circassians, prime to good, 1852 to 1854, at L240 @ 242, buyer 30; one forty-niner—­damaged—­at L23, seller ten, no deposit.  Several Georgians, fancy brands, 1852, changed hands to fill orders.  The Georgians now on hand are mostly last year’s crop, which was unusually poor.  The new crop is a little backward, but will be coming in shortly.  As regards its quantity and quality, the accounts are most encouraging.  In this connection we can safely say, also, that the new crop of Circassians is looking extremely well.  His Majesty the Sultan has already sent in large orders for his new harem, which will be finished within a fortnight, and this has naturally strengthened the market and given Circassian stock a strong upward tendency.  Taking advantage of the inflated market, many of our shrewdest operators are selling short.  There are hints of a “corner” on Wallachians.

     “There is nothing new in Nubians.  Slow sale.

     “Eunuchs—­None offering; however, large cargoes are expected from
     Egypt today.”

I think the above would be about the style of the commercial report.  Prices are pretty high now, and holders firm; but, two or three years ago, parents in a starving condition brought their young daughters down here and sold them for even twenty and thirty dollars, when they could do no better, simply to save themselves and the girls from dying of want.  It is sad to think of so distressing a thing as this, and I for one am sincerely glad the prices are up again.