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

SYRIA, EGYPT, GERMANY, &C. 7 1
mop. The suds having been washed off, we were nicely enfolded
with clean linen, and conducted to the outer apartment, where we
had undressed ourselves. Previously to our quitting
room,
the heated
I examined the thermometer, which stood at 104. The
heat of the water employed in the ablutions was 114 degrees, and
my pulse rose to 128, being at the same time full and firm. We
now lay down on the raised platforms I have before described, and
on which clean linen was spread for us. We were next presented
with coffee and pipes of tobacco ; and, finally,
our bodies were
kneaded and pressed, with a view to the absorption of the perspirable
matter, which continued to flow from us very copiously for a
considerable time after we had quitted the bath. It was no longer
sensible at -the expiration of two hours, when we began to "dress :
I experienced, however, at that time so great a degree of thirst,
that 1 was obliged to have recourse to a draught of water. My
pulse, which was still firm and full, subsided to 80; and my headach
returned, with a throbbing pain of the temples. In returning
home, we took the precaution to be well covered. We paid two
and a half each at the bath.
piastres
In Constantinople the number of public baths is
very
considera-
ble. Several of them, for the accommodation of the indigent, have
been successively founded by the munificence of the Sultans. The
private baths are equally numerous, there being scarcely a house of
auy respectability unprovided with one of them, in which every
convenience is to be found. This will not appear extraordinary
when it is considered that the practice of bathing, independently of
its being a luxury so well adapted to the climate of Turkey, is,
among the Mahometan institutions, the one to which, from motives
of cleanliness, the most strict observance is paid.
On the 15th I went on board the Young James, the English
merchantman lately arrived, to visit a seaman who was dangerously
ill. On the 17th I went from Galata to Constantinople, where I
saw the Grand Seignor and retinue go in procession to the mosque.
Preparations were making by the General and several of the officers
to proceed to Syria by land ; and in the interim the transport was
ordered to be got ready for the conveyance of the remainder of the
officers and the detachment, by sea. It was evident that the overland
party would have to encounter a
very harassing journey, and
many difficulties. Instead of the inns which elsewhere furnish
solace and refreshment to the wearied traveller, hans or kanris are
to be found in every town, and in the greater part of the villages;