The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-02-16
A Defence Of Fleas.

to use the words inhabitants, because al
are not Turks who live in Turkey; and
all alike in this repect, whether Osmanlia
Armenian, Bulgarian, Wallack, Molduvia
Greek or Jew. They pounce upon them
with cry of delight wherever they find
them, ard fondle them before putting
them to death. They show as much art
and address in their capture as a keen
sportsman may eyince it trying to get 3
shot at a Gock Of wild ducks. The feas
are not ungrateful for being thus held in
honor, and have effected very consider
able settlement in the country. They
are, in point of fact, one of the nationali-
ties of Turkey; the only one which has
nothing to ask of the government; which
has no wrongs to redress or injured in
tcrests to buster about. Most the houses
being of wood, they find warm commodi-
Gus quarterS-quarters which are utterly
inaccessible to the broom Of the house
man. l use the word houseman because
there is no such thing as housemaid
in Turkey.
These little animals are so prompt and
ferocious in their assaults, and have,
moreover, such keen appreciation Of the
deiicacy of any fresh arrival from dis
tant country, that they keep stranger
in a perpetual state of iveliness and mo-
ton; which is, doubtless, extremely bene-
Gcia! to his health, especially if he be
s.cthful.
No idea of dirt or disgrace seems to at
tach to a houseful Of feas-these pugna-
cious little animals being looked upon as
recognized proprictors in the country, and
as having as much right there as any one
else. Any attempt therefore, to EXTERN
mate them from bed or sofa would De
laughed to scorn utterly. 4 Perote lady
(and Perote lady is the very essence of
fine ladyism) viii ofton stop several times
in the course of Irritation, laDguidly to
catch Gea upon her dress; feebly smi-
ling while she twiddles him in her fingers,
and then, passiyely dropping him on the
floor. Two grave Galata merchants will
stop in the midst of a bargain sportively
to catch q flea on the shirt front Of an ac-
quaintance; and cracking out his crisp life
on the counter, will proceed to draw
bill 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 to resist the fascination
of hunting flea wherever he sees him
What trapping was to the Red Indians,
what the fox-chase was to the squire Of
our childhood-fea hunting is to the Or
iental; it is a passion-a delight. As
soon rs the lively little game breaks
cover, no matter where or when, the eyes
Of the Perote light up with an unwonted
fire; keen sporting expression passes
over his face; he raises bis hand stealthly
by sort Of instinct; the certainty of his
aim might pass into proYerb, and the
next moment the hand has descended, g,
and the Perote is twidjling his finger
and thumb with tranquil satisfaction, and
has resumed his occupation, be it what it
may. lie would stop to catch flea, on
his way to be hanged or to be married.
He must have missed appointments, lost
fortunes, by the habit; but is engrafted in
his nature, and is u1conqucrable.
] have goue into rooms where faas lay
thick as dust upon the floor, and each Of
my steps must have killed hundreds Of
them; but if [ ever ventured to express
the smallest distate upon the occasion, [
became as incomprehensible to the men
of Pera, as if had told Chinese l dis
liked a stewed dog.
They will even argue the point with
you, if you press them closely, aud main
tain that the flea is like the elder Mira
beau-the friend of men. They will tell
you that feas keep up an irritation on the
skin which is highly beneficial in hot
country, and prevents the accumulation
of morbid humors. On my remonstrat-
ing also with an hotel waiter about find
ing them constantly in the bread (some
baked and some aliye), that individual,
who spoke all the languages Of the world
in bad French, assured me the baker had
a superstition about them, and thought
them lucky! Pumping him with light
hand, | found he was not quite free
from the same idea himself, and that it
obtains generally throughout the country.
He said that to alley the irritation they
occasioned, was at all times pleasing oc-
cupation; that it was to be remarked, no
flea ever bit a man in dangerous place,
or injured his eyes, or his ear, or opened
an artery; therefore feas were the friends
Of men. He did not know-nor do /
what many Of the Perote gentlemen would
do if it were not for the unfailing enter
tainment supplied by feas. lie believed
they kept people who had nothing to DO,
out of mischief. He said that the courte-
Gus catching Of 6ea upon the person of
another offered frequent and pleasant
opportunity of commencing conversa-
ton or beginning an acquaintance. That
acouaintances so formed had often ripen-
ed into warm and lasting Friendships
He had even known more than one IN
stance of Perote marriages brought by a
cheerful and inofensiye gallantry OF this
] hind He was much surnrIsed at the uU-