DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4719#0155
134
PAMPHTLIA.
boots) was admitted to the raised floor. An European chair
was placed for me, and I was welcomed with pipe and coffee:
the first I ventured to refuse; the latter, fearing to give
offence, I reluctantly tasted. The servant, on approaching
to take the coffee-cup from me, when at arm's length, placed
over it a beautifully embroidered napkin about six inches
square, worked with various colours mixed with gold; this
was done to avoid the sight of any dregs that might be
left in the cup,—one of the many customs which I have
noticed amongst this people indicating excessive delicacy
of manners. All who approached the Governor kissed the
ground at his feet, and saluted me in the eastern form. I
counted the minutes during which I thus sat to be gazed at.
But soon a person appeared, to accompany me, and I was
conducted to a perfect palace, belonging to a Greek, whose
riches far exceeded those of the Pasha, and in which I have
possession of a very large room, surrounded with ottomans
and cushions placed against the walls. Here luxuries are
indulged in to a great extent, though the arts have not kept
pace with them; while in our country luxuries tardily follow
the advances of art. The painting on the walls of my room
is a most ludicrous attempt at landscape and figures.
I had not been long in my apartment before I was waited
upon by two messengers from the Pasha, his physician and
a friend, who sat nearly two hours talking Italian; they
particularly requested that the Pasha might have my card,
and that I would call upon him during my stay. I pleaded
as an excuse that I had no proper dress; but it would not
avail, as the Pasha was, they said, most anxious to pay atten-
tion to Europeans : he had begged them to inquire if I had
every comfort provided for me, adding, that if I had not, he
desired I should come to his palace. In the evening I re-
ceived a note from the Pasha, written in Italian, requesting
an audience, and naming three o'clock (Turkish time—mean-
ing nine o'clock,) the following morning for the interview.
>
z: mi ■
IbrU i ::■
-v. lit
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Mn
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Ik
PAMPHTLIA.
boots) was admitted to the raised floor. An European chair
was placed for me, and I was welcomed with pipe and coffee:
the first I ventured to refuse; the latter, fearing to give
offence, I reluctantly tasted. The servant, on approaching
to take the coffee-cup from me, when at arm's length, placed
over it a beautifully embroidered napkin about six inches
square, worked with various colours mixed with gold; this
was done to avoid the sight of any dregs that might be
left in the cup,—one of the many customs which I have
noticed amongst this people indicating excessive delicacy
of manners. All who approached the Governor kissed the
ground at his feet, and saluted me in the eastern form. I
counted the minutes during which I thus sat to be gazed at.
But soon a person appeared, to accompany me, and I was
conducted to a perfect palace, belonging to a Greek, whose
riches far exceeded those of the Pasha, and in which I have
possession of a very large room, surrounded with ottomans
and cushions placed against the walls. Here luxuries are
indulged in to a great extent, though the arts have not kept
pace with them; while in our country luxuries tardily follow
the advances of art. The painting on the walls of my room
is a most ludicrous attempt at landscape and figures.
I had not been long in my apartment before I was waited
upon by two messengers from the Pasha, his physician and
a friend, who sat nearly two hours talking Italian; they
particularly requested that the Pasha might have my card,
and that I would call upon him during my stay. I pleaded
as an excuse that I had no proper dress; but it would not
avail, as the Pasha was, they said, most anxious to pay atten-
tion to Europeans : he had begged them to inquire if I had
every comfort provided for me, adding, that if I had not, he
desired I should come to his palace. In the evening I re-
ceived a note from the Pasha, written in Italian, requesting
an audience, and naming three o'clock (Turkish time—mean-
ing nine o'clock,) the following morning for the interview.
>
z: mi ■
IbrU i ::■
-v. lit
^■■i.
Mn
'■■-..
Ik