own
hair, braided, which was all their head-dress; but their habits were
all of gold stuffs. These served her coffee kneeling; brought water
when she washed, &c.--'Tis a great part of the work of the older
slaves to take care of these young girls, to learn them to embroider,
and to serve them as carefully as if they were children of the
family. Now, do you imagine I have entertained you, all this while,
with a relation that has, at least, received many embellishments from
my hand? This, you will say, is but too like the Arabian
tales.--These embroidered napkins! and a jewel as large as a turkey's
egg!--You forget, dear sister, those very tales were written by an
author of this country, and (excepting the enchantments) are a real
representation of the manners here. We travellers are in very hard
circumstances: If we say nothing but what has been said before us,
_we are dull, and we have observed nothing_. If we tell any thing
new, we are laughed at as _fabulous and romantic_, not allowing
either for the difference of ranks, which affords difference of
company, or more curiosity, or the change of customs, that happen
every twenty years in every country. But the truth is, people judge
of travellers, exactly with the same candour, good nature, and
impartiality, they judge of their neighbours upon all occasions. For
my part, if I live to return amongst you, I am so well acquainted
with the morals of all my dear friends and acquaintances, that I am
resolved to tell them nothing at all, to avoid the imputation (which
their charity would certainly incline them to) of my telling too
much. But I depend upon your knowing me enough, to believe whatever
I seriously assert for truth; though I give you leave to be surprised
at an account so new to you. But what would you say if I told you,
that I have been in a haram, where the winter apartment was
wainscoted (sic) with inlaid work of mother of pearl, ivory of
different colours, and olive wood, exactly like the little boxes you
have seen brought Out of this country; and in whose rooms designed
for summer, the walls are all crusted with japan china, the roofs
gilt, and the floors spread with the finest Persian carpets? Yet
there is nothing more true; such is the palace of my lovely friend,
the fair Fatima, whom I was acquainted with at Adrianople. I went
to visit her yesterday; and, if possible, she appeared to me
handsomer than before. She met me at the door of her chambe