Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-03-11
A DEFENCE OF FLEAs.

One Of the peculiarities which strikes mo most
among the inhabitants of Turkey is their love of
fleas. / am obliged to use the word inhabitants
because all are not Turks who live in Turkey; and
all are alike in this respect, whether 0smanli Ar
menian, Bulgarian, Wallack, Moldayan, Greek or
Jew. They pounce upon them with cry of de-
light wherever they find them and fondle them be-
fore putting them to death. They show as much
art and address in their capture as keen sports
man may eyinee in trying to get shot at flock Of
wild ducks. The fcas not ungrateful for being
thus held in honour, and have effected very con-
siderable settlement in the country. They are in
point of fact, one of the natonalites Of Turkey
the only one which has nothing to ask of the gov
ernment; which has no wrongs to redress or injur-
ed interests to bluster about. Most Of the houses
being of wood, they find warm commodious quar-.
ters which are utterly inaccessible to the broom of
the houscman. | use the word houseman because
there is no such thing as housemaid in Turkey.
These little animals are so prompt and (erocious
in their assaults, and have moreover, such n keen
appreciation of the delicacy Of any fresh arrival
from distant country, that they keep stranger
in perpetual state Of liveliness and motion; which
is, doubtless, extremely beneficial to his health,
especially if he be slothful.
No idea of dirt or disgrace seems to attach to
houseful of neas-these pugnacious little animals
being looked upon as recognised proprietors in the
country and having as much right there as any
one else. Any attempt, therefore, to exterminate
them from bed or sofa would be laughed to scorn
utterly. Perote lady land Perote lady is the
very essence Of fine ladyism) will often stop several
times in the course of Irritation, languidly 10
catch flea upon her dress; feebly smiling while
she twddles him in her fingers, and then passively
dropping him on the floor. Two grave Galata mer-
chants will stop in the midst of bargain sportive-
~ to catch flea on the shirt front of an acuuain-
tance; and cracking out his crisp life on the coun-
ter, will proceed to draw bin on London or TO
discuss the exchange, the depreciation of Kaimes,
and the rise of gold.
No individual throughout the country seems to
be able 10 resist the facination Of hunting flea /
wherever he sees him. What trapping was to the
Red lndians--what the iOx-ohase was to the squire
lf our childhood-Aea-hunti is to the 0rienta
i Is passion--a delight. As soon as the lively 1
little game breaks cover, matter where or when
the eyes Of the ferote light up with an unwontod |
hre; a keea sporting expression passes over his
iacei he raises his hand stealtliy by sort of in
stnet; the certainty Of his aim might pass into a
proyerb, and the neat moment the hand has descen-
ded' and the Perote is twiddling his finger and
tnumb with tranquil satisfaction, aud has resumed
ms occupation, be Il what it may. lie would stop
70 eaten iea on bis way to lie hanged or 10 be
married lie must have missed appointments II
lost fortunes by the habit hut il Is engrafted IN
ms natnre, and is unconquerable.
nave gone into rooms whore neas Law thick as
aust upon the foor, and each Of my steps must
hlSe killed hundreds Of theni bat if ever yent,r
cd u express the smallest distress upon the oeca