The Empire County argus., 1856-05-10

A I1oT BATH IN CoNsTANTINoPLE. Round the
bath room are open cabinets, in winch small mar
ble benches are attached to the walls: above these
are two brass taps, from which hot and cold water
can be drawn and there is usually brass basin
upon these benches
The naked hamamji, generally boy, who re-
ceives us here, intmates to you that you must lie
down on q large plate of marble, about two feet
high, in the centre Of the room; for what purpose
will be discovered. The stranger reclines on
his back, the marble plate, like the whole tlocr
being heated from below, but not so much as to he
uncomfortable. This second period of reflection lasts
another five minutes. You perspire all you can
the dome, too, perSpres above us, and huge drops
fall your face. On the marble plate there are
usually five or six persons reclining all motionles
and persplrlng with great assduity Then comes
the hamamji, dressed only in short apron, and
the fun wakes fast and furious He begins labor
ing the bathcr with both hands; rubs, rolls, and
kneads every limb; cracks all his joints, with the
exception of the neck, strikes them with his fat
hand till it sounds like the beating Of drum; and
as several other hamamjs are performing the same
process simultaneously on other persons, the noise
becomes slightly monoonouS. to say the least ot it,
At last the bath-man plants his knees your chest,
and gives your various other ccupS de grace, making
you feel as if your limbs were scattered about the
bathroom While this process WAS going on with
me, and the hamamj had b:labored me in most
!
arm. in which | had been nursing IL pet rhcuma-
ti,m for several years. My blood boiled at such
ill-reatment following Il very natural impulse.
liberated my arm, and on the point OF giving
the hamamji box the ears but reflected in
time, and drew back my hand. The same crcum-
stances must have frequently happened to him be-
fore with Franks, for he laughed and bade me get
up With Lord he praised" | collected my
limbs on the marble plate. and carried them, fol-
lowing the lad into the side room, whore | seated
myself near the water tap. Here had to decide
what degree of warmth | would have my bath !:
the hamamji then produced the required tempera-
ture, 10y means of the two taps poured the water
over me- then put glove made of coarse, hard
felt, with the effect of curry comb, and began to
rub me till he peeled the outer skin from my body
He then beat up some sweet-scented sap-sudS IN
the bowl, poured them over me, and the bathing
operations were concluded. was finally wrapped
up quite wet in new cloths one of which the boy
fastened round my head like a turban, and was led
back again to the gallery, where reclincd on one
of row of mattresses chibuk was stuck IN my
mouth, coffee was brought me, and | gradually
dried This lasted an hour, during which con
versed as well as could. with Il thorough bred
Turk lying next me, who asserted, with all possible
earnestness that such bath was the most splendid
and beneficial thing TO be had under the
Other persons have already stated this on authority
of the Turks but as have special regard for my
limbs cannot assent to the proposition.