Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-10-02

DGrdanelies The oldest invitation |
ever had in my life was from Turkish
Bey TO a fete chdmpetre, on the ruins OF
Troy We have Just returned, full OF
wassaii and pillaw, by the light Of an
Asian moon.
The morning was such one as you
would expect in the country where morn
iDgs were first made. The sun was clear
but the breeze was fresh; and as we sat
on the Boys soft diyans, taking coffee,
before starting turned my cheek to the
/ open window, and confessed the blessings
/ of existence.
We were sixteen miles from The ship, and
our host was attended by his Interpreter,
( the General of his troops, the Governor
Of BouTnabash, Obe name Of the Turkish
town near Troy,) and host of attendants
on foot and horseback. His cook had
been sent forward at daylight with the
provisions.
The handsome Bey came TO the door,
and helped TO mount us upon his own
horses, and we rode off, with the whole
population of the village assembled TO
/ see our departure. We forded the Seam
ander, tear this town, and pushed on at
a bard gaiiop over the plain. The Bey
soon overlook US, upon fleet grey mare,
1 caparisoned with red trappings, holding an
umbrella over his head, which he coUrte
ou.ly offered to the Commodore on com
ing up. We followed grass path, with
out hill or stone, for nine or ten miles;
and after having passed one or two ham
lets, with their open threshing floors, and
crossed Slmois, with the water'to our sad
die gir,hs, we left slight rising ground
/ by a sudden turn, and descended TO a
| cluster of trees, where the Turks sprang
from their horses, and made signs for US
to dismount.
1t was one OF natures drawing rooms.
Tickets Of bush and willows enclosed
fountain, whose clear waters were onlined
in tank, formed Of marble slabs, from
the neighboins ruins. A spreading tree
above, and soft meadow grass to its very
tip, left nothing TO wish but friends and a
quiet mind to perfect its beauty. The
cooks fires were smoking in the thicket,
the horses were grazing without saddle or
bride in the pasture below, and we lay
down upon the soft Turkish carpets,
spread beneath the trees, and reposed
from our latgues for an hour.
The Interpreter came, when the sun had
slanted little across the trees, and in.
vited US to the Bey's gardens hard by. A
path, overshadowed with wild brush, led
US round the little meadow to gate,
close to the fountain head of the Seaman
der. One of the common cottages Of the
country stood upon the left, and in from;
of it large arbour covered with grape
vine, was underlaid with cushions and
carpets. Here we reclined, and coffee
was brought Us, with baskets of grapes,
figs, and ounces, and pomegranates, the
Bey and his officers waiting on US them
, selves, with amusing assldulty. The PEG.
pie of the house, mean time were sent to
the fields for green corn. which was roast.
ed for US, and dis, with nuts, wine. and
conversation, and a rambe TO the source
of the Simois, which bursts from cleft
in the rock very beautifully, whirled away
the hours ill dinner
About four O'Clock we returned 10 the
fountain. A white muslin cloth was laid
upon the grass, between the edge and the
overshadowing tree, and all round II were
spread the carpets upon which we were to
recline while eating. Wine and melons
were cooling in the tank, and plates Of
honey and grapes, and new made butter
IA great luxury in the Archipelago stood
on the marble rim. The dinner might
have fed Priam's army. Half lamb
turkeys and chickens. were the princIpa
meats; but there was, besides, a 'rabble
rout' Of made dishes, peculiar to the coun'
r try, Of ingredients at which Icould moi
hazard even conjecture.
We crooked our legs under us with
5 some awkwardness, and producing ouI
knives and forks, (Which we had brought
+. with The advice of the interpreter,) com
menced. somewhat abated in appetite, b,
= too liberal lunch The ley and hi
{. officers, sitting upright, with their feet I'm
. der them, plnehed of bits of meat dex
p. terously with the thumb and iorefnger
A passing from one TO the other dish o
4 rice, with a large spoon; which all use'
4 Unfortunately. Ii is odd that eatioi
Z with the fingers seemed only disgusting f
!. me in the bey. HIS European dress pro
n badly made the peculiarly more glazing
g The fat old governor who sat beside me
was creased to the elbows, and his lon
grey beard was studded with rice an
drops of gravy to his girdle. lie ros
when the meats were removed, and wat
died eff 10 the stream below, where
- wash in the clean water made him onc
=. more presentable person.
f. II is a Turkish custom to rise and r.
he tire While the dishes are changing, and q
IN ter a little rambe through the meade,
no we returned TO lavish spread of iIul
ry and honey, which concluded the repast.
he II is doubted where Troy stood III
Sc reputed site is on rising ground, ne
in the fountain Of Bournabasb, TO which
n s,rolled after dinner. We found Moths
but quantities Of fragments OF column
ed believed by antiquaries to be the ruins
ma city that sprung up and died long sine
IN. We mounted and rode home by a rou
wo moon, whose light filed the air ike
srs dust Of phosphoric silver. Tie plains we
in glow with it. Our Indian SUNNI
nights, beautiful as they are. can give y
Inc idea Of Ga Asian neon.