DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12664#0083
76
INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL.
had vanished. By the fitful glimmering of the
little lamps, all that I could see was a parcel of
shaved heads on the surface of the water, at rest
or turning slowly and quietly as on pivots. Most
of them seemed to be enjoying it with an air of
quiet, dreamy satisfaction ; but the man with whom
I had spoken first, seemed to be carried beyond the
bounds of Mussulman gravity. It operated upon
him like a good dinner; it made him loquacious?
and he urged me to come in, nay, he even became
frolicksome ; and, making a heavy surge, threw a
large body of the water over the marble on which
1 was lying. I almost screamed, and started up as
if melted lead had been poured upon me; even
while standing up it seemed to blister the soles of
my feet, and I was obliged to keep up a dancing
movement, changing as fast as I could, to the
astonishment of the dozing bathers, and the utter
consternation of my would-be friend. Roused too
much to relapse into the quiet luxury of perspira-
tion, I went into another apartment, of a cooler
temperature, where, after remaining in a bath of
moderately warm water, I was wrapped up in hot
cloths and towels, and conducted into the great
chamber. Here I selected a couch, and throwing
myself upon it, gave myself up to the operators,
who now took charge of me, and well did they
sustain the high reputation of a Turkish bath: my
arms were gently laid upon my breast, where the
knee of a powerful man pressed upon them; my
joints were cracked and pulled—back., arms, the
INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL.
had vanished. By the fitful glimmering of the
little lamps, all that I could see was a parcel of
shaved heads on the surface of the water, at rest
or turning slowly and quietly as on pivots. Most
of them seemed to be enjoying it with an air of
quiet, dreamy satisfaction ; but the man with whom
I had spoken first, seemed to be carried beyond the
bounds of Mussulman gravity. It operated upon
him like a good dinner; it made him loquacious?
and he urged me to come in, nay, he even became
frolicksome ; and, making a heavy surge, threw a
large body of the water over the marble on which
1 was lying. I almost screamed, and started up as
if melted lead had been poured upon me; even
while standing up it seemed to blister the soles of
my feet, and I was obliged to keep up a dancing
movement, changing as fast as I could, to the
astonishment of the dozing bathers, and the utter
consternation of my would-be friend. Roused too
much to relapse into the quiet luxury of perspira-
tion, I went into another apartment, of a cooler
temperature, where, after remaining in a bath of
moderately warm water, I was wrapped up in hot
cloths and towels, and conducted into the great
chamber. Here I selected a couch, and throwing
myself upon it, gave myself up to the operators,
who now took charge of me, and well did they
sustain the high reputation of a Turkish bath: my
arms were gently laid upon my breast, where the
knee of a powerful man pressed upon them; my
joints were cracked and pulled—back., arms, the