Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-11-26
DESCRIPTION OF A TURK.

Taken en- masse, the Turks are the finest look
ing race Of men in the world: their oval heads,
arching brows, jetty eyes and aquelne noses,
their lofty figures and stately mein, are all set
off TO full advantage by their ample robes and
grace ful ,urbans; all is ease and proportion a.
bout Turk: there are no angles or straigh,
lines in his FEATURES or person; in all we lind
the nnre frs s e. of %aslHh
CURE an Englishnan Or European makes be-
side him; his black unmeaning hat, harlequin
pastaloohs, and straight cut coat, (Which will
one day puzzle those Of posterity who shall be
antiquaries in costume, contrast so vilanously
with the picturesque head-dress, ample trow-
sers, and floating pelisse of the Ottoman, whilst
his glossy beard filings contempt on the effemi-
nate chin OF the Clipped and locked European.
His arms, for sin the East all arms" usually
consist Of a pair of superbly chased pistols,
stuck IN sllken sash; yataghan, with Jew
elled handle; larger and more clumsy knife,
called hanJar, & scimitar swinging scabbard,
covered with green or crimson velvet, as the
owner, being an Emir or otherwise, is entitled
tocarry it, and ornamented with bosses of gold
No being can possibly have finer taste Of Ler-
sonal nratness than Turk, & no instance
more strongly depicts the haired Of the Greeks
10 their oppressers, than the fact that in the
Morea they abstain almost entirely from wash
ing or purifying their persons, on the plea that
it lis Turkish effeminacy. IT. as Wesley said,
Cleanliness be a kin to goodness the Mussul-
man has large proportion to claim; for con-
nec,ed with his devoions, or, perhaps, arising
from them, is bis frequent use of the bath,
which, to those Of every rank, is esteemed ne.
eessary OF life; and perhaps there is no sensa:
ton in existence more luxurious than that
which he feels when reclining in the saloon Of
the public bath, after having passed its ordeal
OF steaming, perspirng, purifying and sham
pooning, wrapped in light silk gown. SEATED
on delicious sofa, Il taking alternate drau ghts
OF his chibouque and transparent coffee; the
mind seems equally purified with the body, he
feels as if he had driven off all the cares Of hui
manity, he is conscious solely Of ease and deli
cious luxury, and he rises 10 depart with every
joint so free, and every limb SO 1.-the, that his
step has all the 6rmness and grace Of an Apol.
lo.-Letfers from the Leuani.
ANEcDoTE.-Sir Colquho un Grant being in
command Of a regiment at Clonmel, he gave Of |
fence In some way 10 an honest shopkeeper |
named Mulcahy, who struck him on the parade |
in presence Of his whole corps. The officers
rushed forward 10 seize the delinquent, but Sir |
Colquhoun interposed, declaring that he had |
been the aggressor, and as the gentleman
thought proper to resent his conduct in so
gross manner, it remained for him to seek the
,sual reparation. "Oh!" exclaimed Mulcahy,
ii us for fighting you are, I'll fight you; but il
hall neither be with swords nor pistols, nor
my thing else but my two fsts."-(and fine
'lg mutton fists they were, sure enough)-
Well them" replied the gallant officer 'wi,h
III my heart. BY insulting you, have placed
myself on level with ysu, and Of course can
lot refuse to meet you on your own terms
;ome along sir" The men were dismissed;
nd Colonel Grant, accompanied by his .aever-
airy and some mutual friends, repaired to the
ness room, where he very speedily closed up
ar: Mulcahy's peppers, and sent him home =,
srt:ef!y safisfed That was the proudest day
Mulcahy' slife, and mary time has he boas-
ed ofthe black eve he got from X. c. B., as d