in a circle round
him. And she confessed, they were ready to die with envy and
jealousy of the _happy she_ that he distinguished by any appearance
of preference. But this seemed to me neither better nor worse than
the circles in most courts, where the glance of the monarch is
watched, and every smile is waited for with impatience, and envied by
those who cannot obtain it.

SHE never mentioned the sultan without tears in her eyes, yet she
seemed very fond of the discourse. "My past happiness, _said she_,
"appears a dream to me. Yet I cannot forget, that I was beloved by
"the greatest and most lovely of mankind. I was chosen from all the
"rest, to make all his campaigns with him; and I would not survive
"him, if I was not passionately fond of the princess my daughter.
"Yet all my tenderness for her was hardly enough to make me preserve
"my life. When I left him, I passed a whole twelvemonth without
"seeing the light. Time has softened my despair; yet I now pass some
"days every week in tears, devoted to the memory of my sultan."
There was no affectation in these words. It was easy to see she was
in a deep melancholy, though her good humour made her willing to
divert me.

SHE asked me to walk in her garden, and one of her slaves immediately
brought her a _pellice_ of rich brocade lined with sables. I waited
on her into the garden, which had nothing in it remarkable but the
fountains; and from thence she shewed me all her apartments. In her
bed-chamber, her toilet was displayed, consisting of two
looking-glasses, the frames covered With pearls, and her night
_talpoche_ set with bodkins of jewels, and near it three vests of
fine sables, every one of which is, at least, worth a thousand
dollars, (two hundred pounds English money.) I don't doubt but these
rich habits were purposely placed in sight, though they seemed
negligently thrown on the sofa. When I took my leave of her, I was
complimented with perfumes, as at the grand vizier's, and presented
with a very fine embroidered handkerchief. Her slaves were to the
number of thirty, besides ten little ones, the eldest not above
seven years old. These were the most beautiful girls I ever saw, all
richly dressed; and I observed that the sultana took a great deal of
pleasure in these lovely children, which is a vast expence; for there
is not a handsome girl of that age to be bought under a hundred
pounds sterling. They wore little garlands of flowers, and their