ugh, are
buffaloes, an animal you are also unacquainted with. They are larger
and more clumsy than an ox; they have short thick black horns close
to their heads, Which grow turning backwards. They say this horn
looks very beautiful when 'tis well polished. They are all black,
with very short hair on their hides, and have extremely little white
eyes, that make them look like devils. The country people dye their
tails, and the hair of their forehead, red, by way of ornament.
Horses are not put here to any laborious work, nor are they at all
fit for it. They are beautiful and full of spirit, but generally
little, and not strong, as the breed of colder countries; very
gentle, however, with all their vivacity, and also swift and
surefooted. I have a little white favourite, that I would not part
with on any terms; he prances under me with so much fire, you would
think that I had a great deal of courage to dare to mount him; yet
I'll assure you, I never rid a horse so much at my command in my
life. My side-saddle is the first that was ever seen in this part of
the world, and is gazed at with as much wonder as the ship of
Columbus in the first discovery of America. Here are some little
birds, held in a sort of religious reverence, and, for that reason,
multiply prodigiously: turtles, on the account of their innocence;
and storks, because they are supposed to make every winter the
pilgrimage to Mecca. To say truth, they are the happiest subjects
under the Turkish government, and are so sensible of their
privileges, that they walk the streets without fear, and generally
build in the low parts of houses. Happy are those whose houses are
so distinguished, as the vulgar Turks are perfectly persuaded that
they will not be, that year, attacked either by fire or pestilence.
I have the happiness of one of their sacred nests under my
chamber-window.

NOW I am talking of my chamber, I remember the description of the
houses here will be as new to you, as any of the birds or beasts. I
suppose you have read, in most of our accounts of Turkey, that their
houses are the most miserable pieces of building in the world. I can
speak very learnedly on that subject, having been in so many of them;
and, I assure you, 'tis no such thing. We are now lodged in a palace
belonging to the grand signior. I really think the manner of
building here very agreeable, and proper for the country. 'Tis true,
they are not at all solicitous to beauti