Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

SYRIA, EGYPT, GERMANY, &C. 37
boats filled with musicians, who played and sung during the whole
of the dav.
In the evening, bonfires were kindled, and pistols dis-
charged in the air; it was on the whole a scene of confusion.
great
riot and
On this occasion the Greek women were all of them very handsomely
attired, the meanest among them, even the fishermens'
wives, being clad in elegant dresses of silk or velvet, with pelices
lined with ermine of considerable value. This finery, of which
they are extremely fond, is generally reserved for the holidays.
Having been indisposed for several days, 1 did not repeat my visits
to Levant Chiflick until the 8th. On the 10th, however, I was
so well recovered as to accept the invitation which we received from
Monsieur Tomara, the Russian ambassador, to be present at the
celebration of the birth day of the Emperor of Russia.
In the evening we repaired to his palace, where we found a very
Jaro-e party assembled, all the foreign ministers, in their gala dresses,
and decorated with their respective orders, being present, with their
ladies and suites. The company, which consisted of individuals of
almost everv nation, in the different costumes by which each is ap-
propriately distinguished, did not break up until between one and
two in the morning. The dances were continued until a late hour,
the Greek women being passionately fond of that exerdse. In the
course of the evening refreshments, consisting of sweetmeats, ice
creams, cakes, &c. were served; and at midnight
there was a cold
collation, with wines and other liquors. The entertainment passed
off very agreeably.
On the 11th, 1 rode to Levant Chifiick; and on the 12th, to
Constantinople. I embraced this opportunity of paying a visit to
the bazars, that is, the places set aside for the sale of different ar-
ticles of merchandize, each trade, or in other cases the dealers be-
longing to the different nations subject to the Turkish domination,
being arranged under a covered archway, somewhat similar to our
Exeter exchange. Beneath these archways,
or cloisters, which are
of stone or wood, each tradesman, or dealer, has his shop in front,
and behind it a warehouse for his goods. This arrangement is ex-
tremely convenient both for the seller and the purchaser
same time that the bazars, admitting a free circulation of the air, are
; at the
very cool in summer, and consequently well adapted to the climate.
The commodities sold in them are by no means contemptible.
There is here a more regular market police (if the phrase may be
admitted) than might be expected in this country.
There are offi-