The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-11-12
From the .Nsw York Journal Of Commerce.
TUNIS.

! ONlS.
Extract of letter from gentleman on boar
the U. S. Frigate Java
| DEAR SIRs-Perhaps you will be please
TO receive some account of our visit to tn
MS. We run into the harbor on the 2St
OF July. DIR. Heap, the American Consul
came on board, accompanied by Turk, hi
Drogman, who was armed with pistols AM
sabre, and they passed the night with us
I sabbath morning the Doctor invited US t,
/ MS house. We were anchored IL mile!
from the city, and a miles from the docks
where small vessels unload and receive
ifreIgnt. Here is a narrow neck of land
separating a bay from a lake 8 miles wide
and 10 III length, which stretches itself be-
fore the city. The lake is only three o.
tour feet deep, 90 that we often struck bot
tom with our boats. Two boats had beer
fitted out with about 20 officers. The pow
er of evaporation is so great in this shallow
lake, that strong current is constantly
pouring through the canal that unites il
with the bay, by which means the waste Of
waters is supplied. The water of this lake
is saturated with salt. 1t is said that ScipiO
anchored his fleet in this lake. It's depth
has diminished one half, | am told, within
the memory of those now living in Tuns.
We had not reached the landing before
large herds of camels and goats appeared.
scattered along the beach. The novelty OF
the sight made it quite interesting to me.
but as we approached the shore, and while
the living animals were delighting one
sense, the dead addressed another with an
odor that was not so agreeable. At Tunis,
1t the dead beasts are removed just without
the walls, the people are satisfied but as
we entered, we found they did not, in all
cases, succeed in dragging them thus far.
OF all the filthy places have ever seen, this
city is the capital. Instead of fine, spacious
streets, nothing is seen but narrow, dirty
avenues, just wide enough, generally, to
pass in single files. At the first house we
passed, about dozen dogs sailed out and
gave us the common salute. AS it is here
regarded a sin to kill cats and dogs, they
form large part of the population of the
town. The costume of the people, the
method Of transporting every thing, the
style of the houses, and indeed every thing,
was SO unlike an American city, that we
almost seemed to be in a new world. The
Consups drogman, strongly armed, march
ed before US, clearing the way of man and
beast. All gave US the road, till from be-
hind company came on with great haste,
having sabres with silver scabbards, and
polished pistols by their sides, and large
clubs resembling Wicket-bats in their hands.
and in all respects neatly dressed. Every
body, and we among the rest, had to clear
the way. We found they were the govern
or's guards. We passed the Minister of
Marine, and were introduced to him by Dr.
Heap He is in Importance next to the Bey
He was sitting at the door under cowras
screen, on a bench about four feet wide,
with his feet and bare legs curled under
him-had a long white beard, ring with
three large diamonds on his finger, and was
neatly, but plainly dressed, in common T ark-
ish style-gave his hand to the Consul when
meeting and parting, and laid his hand on
his breast when we were introduced and
when we bid good bye. We reached the
house of DR.. Heap about II o'clock, glad of a
shelter from the burning sun.
There are few curiosities in Tunis. The
most worthy objects of notice are the palace
of the deceased Bey and the warm baths
We visited almost all parts of the palace,
and its interior is the most splendid of any
thing in architecture have seen. For ex-
tent of surface and number of apartments it
is like small city. The baths are by
steam. We passed by long, dark avenue,
into spacious hall, so full of steam. that at
first it was almost suffocating. About 90
Turks were seated in their style, with their
feet doubled under them. From this we
were conducted into a small apartment,
where they dressed us in Turkish apparel,
turban and all. On eturning to the second
room, this dress WAS removed, after which
we were led from room to room, the steam
growing warmer and denser as we advanced,
until in the extreme one they placed our feet
in hot water. After thorough preparation
I'VE were conducted back one or two rooms.
and there received such brushing as no
thing can describe so we'll as the currying
Of severe groom upon dirty horse. Few
! of us, if any, came off with whole skins. Ii
was in vain TO remohstrate. | shall not ven
ture therefore the second time. The whole
| progress occupies three hours. We were
gradually cooled off by changes of dress.
! Turkish ladies are not seen in Tunis by
the men, either strangers or citizens, except
by members of the same family They oc-
REASONABLY pass the street to visit each other,
hut are so mufiled up that it is absolutely
impossible to tell whether they are white or
i black. Imet three while in the city. They
answered to the accounts | had received Of
them,-had black handkerchief bound "a
round their foreheads, coming quite down
over their eyelids-others around their
cheeks coming quite up to their eyes, so that
nothing remained but a small opening for
the pupil of the eye over this was bonnet
and thick veil. A man may live in TunIs
for years and not see the face of Turkish
lady. They are never seen at the windows
but spend their whole lives in concealment
They are quite contrast TO the Spanish la.
dies, who swarm the streets with nothing
but thin veil to shelter their heads from
the burning sun.
1t may he asked by the curious, how are