oble
prerogative extends itself to the very meanest of the sex. Here is a
fellow that carries embroidered handkerchiefs upon his back to sell.
And as miserable a figure as you may suppose such a mean dealer, yet,
I'll assure you, his wife scorns to wear any thing less than cloth of
gold; has her ermine furs, and a very handsome set of jewels for her
head. 'Tis true, they have no places but the bagnios, and these can
only be seen by their own sex; however, that is a diversion they take
great pleasure in.

I WAS, three days ago, at one of the finest in the town, and had the
opportunity of seeing a Turkish bride received there, and all the
ceremony used on that occasion, which made me recollect the
epithalamium of Helen, by Theocritus; and it seems to me, that the
same customs have continued ever since. All the she-friends,
relations and acquaintance of the two families, newly allied, meet at
the bagnio; several others go, out Of curiosity, and I believe there
were that day two hundred women. Those that were, or had been
married, placed themselves round the rooms, on the marble sofas; but
the virgins very hastily threw off their clothes, and appeared
without other ornament or covering, than their own long hair braided
with pearl or ribbon. Two of them met the bride at the door,
conducted by her mother and another grave relation. She was a
beautiful maid of about seventeen, very richly dressed, and shining
with jewels, but was presently reduced to the state of nature. Two
others filled silver gilt pots with perfume, and began the
procession, the rest following in pairs, to the number of thirty.
The leaders sung an epithalamium, answered by the others in chorus,
and the two last led the fair bride, her eyes fixed on the ground,
with a charming affectation of modesty. In this order they marched
round the three largest rooms of the bagnio. 'Tis not easy to
represent to you the beauty of this sight, most of them being well
proportioned and white skinned; all of them perfectly smooth and
polished by the frequent use of bathing. After having made their
tour, the bride was again led to every matron round the rooms, who
saluted her with a compliment and a present, some of jewels, others
of pieces of stuff, handkerchiefs or little gallantries of that
nature, which she thanked them for, by kissing their hands. I was
very well pleased with having seen this ceremony; and you may believe
me, the Turkish ladies have, at leas