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

SYRIA, EGYPT, GERMANY, &C. 8 1
The launch being over, we proceeded to a stone bason, recently
constructed by Captain Ilowdej/, a Swedish engineer, the only one
in the ports of the Turkish empire, into which a ship of seventy
four guns was to be received, it being the first time of its being
used. The Grand Seignor went thither in his barge, which had
twenty four rowers., and was about eighty feet in length, with a
canopv richly and elegantly fitted up. On his passing, a salute was
fired from the off side of the men of war. Being landed, he took
his station at the window of a kiosque, fitted up expressly for the
occasion, in the vicinity of the bason. The ship was with great ad-
dress conveyed into the bason; and, on the whole being concluded,
both the ship-buiiders, and those by whom the bason had been con-
structed, were complimented with pelices of different values, and
other presents. Several caftans were also distributed.
In the vast concourse of persons assembled to witness the launch,
and the operation which followed, there were many Turkish women,
who were, however, separated from the men. Notwithstanding
every part of the harbour was covered with boats filled
with spectators, we did not hear of any accident having occurred;
neither did we witness the smallest confusion. Much of the praise
was due to the Capitan Pacha, who was extremely active throughout
the whole of the business, and who every where enforced obe-
dience, and maintained good order. The ship which was launched
had been ready several weeks before; but it had been deeaicd expedient
to delay the launch until a favourable report should be made
by the astrologers and dealers in magic, who at length predicted,
that the 2d of April would be a favourable day for that purpose.*
She was constructed by Monsieur Le Brun, a French builder.
On the 5th, in a morning's walk in the environs of Bishictash,
I went into a house where the kymack was prepared daily, to see
the process employed in making it, which is as follows: Large
shallow vessels of copper having been filled with new milk from
the cow, are placed over a gentle wood fire, and the milk kept sim-
mering for the space of twenty-four hours, when the fire is remo-
ved, and the milk allowed to cool. On the following day the sur-
face, which has assumed a consistent form, is taken off, cut into
small portions, and rolled up for use, This is the kymack, which
is so generally employed, and so highly esteemed in Turkey. It
* It is scarcely credible that such folly should exist in any part of Europe at the close
ef the eighteenth century. Can such a peoole be formilable?
( I"-)