er precious
stones; those who will not be at that expence, have it of exquisite
embroidery on sattin (sic); but it must be fastened before with a
clasp of diamonds.--The _curdee_ is a loose robe they throw off, or
put on, according to the weather, being of a rich brocade (mine is
green and gold) either lined with ermine or sables; the sleeves reach
very little below the shoulders. The head dress is composed of a
cap, called _talpock_, which is, in winter, of fine velvet
embroidered with pearls or diamonds, and in summer, of a light
shining silver stuff. This is fixed on one side of the head, hanging
a little way down with a gold tassel, and bound on, either with a
circle of diamonds (as I have seen several) or a rich embroidered
handkerchief. On the other side of the head, the hair is laid flat;
and here the ladies are at liberty to shew their fancies; some
putting flowers, others a plume of heron's feathers, and, in short,
what they please; but the most general fashion is a large _bouquet_
of jewels, made like natural flowers; that is, the buds, of pearl;
the roses, of different coloured rubies: the jessamines, of diamonds;
the jonquils, of topazes, &c. so well set and enamelled, 'tis hard to
imagine any thing of that kind so beautiful. The hair hangs at its
full length behind, divided into tresses braided with pearl or
ribbon, which is always in great quantity. I never saw in my life so
many fine heads of hair. In one lady's, I have counted a hundred and
ten of the tresses, all natural; but it must be owned, that every
kind of beauty is more common here than with us. 'Tis surprising to
see a young woman that is not very handsome. They have naturally the
most beautiful complexion in the world, and generally large black
eyes. I can assure you with great truth, that the court of England
(though I believe it the fairest in Christendom) does not contain so
many beauties as are under our protection here. They generally shape
their eye-brows, and both Greeks and Turks have the custom of putting
round their eyes a black tincture, that, at a distance, or by
candle-light, adds very much to the blackness of them. I fancy many
of our ladies would be overjoyed to know this secret, but 'tis too
visible by day. They dye their nails a rose colour; but, I own, I
cannot enough accustom myself to this fashion, to find any beauty in
it.

AS to their morality or good conduct, I can say, like Harlequin, that
'tis just as 'tis