The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-04-19

inc thu body half up by each arm sa'' ~.
III. hs .,ands with one foot ON 'no
an.,,;,a ,hi,b. You are then raised ior
Upr, 40 a sitting posture, ana eon'o
.'Nu }. ,;vsn 10 the small Of the BACK WIN
ion - and n Jerk 10 the neck by the TWO
hsnds holding the temples
nA Ths reader must guard against the sup
-.I,.;on tbat ali this cracking Of the joints
"a snnnls members, this kneading OF the
aesh. is attended with discomfort ana pam
when II is skillfully performed, the sensl-
ton is even plcasurable; indeed this IS H
nifed by the Arabic word mas, whion
means 10 handle delicately.'
TIE RuBBISc.
Next comes the rubbing, or rainier v,o
use of the glove made OF camel or So
hair. After remoistening the oOuy, Wu'ou
YOU do for yourself, with q cup gwen you
for that purpose. you, in situnS position
h.nS toward the attendant, who bending
800 von r,,bs down the back, commences
C., ths neck. The loosened scarf skin
rssl. of in little elongated rolls, and If coll
Iected will form ball as big as hyacinth
root. II was for the removal OF this dead
cuticlc that the strigil was anciently used;
and how il has fallen into disuse would be a
curiosu subject Of research. We may infer
from an spiyram Of Martial's that that il
was originally an Eastern implement, for no
speaks Of il coming from Pergamus. Au-
pustus borrowed his wooden reclining couch
called durcta' from Spain, and Suetonius
expressly says the word Is Spanish. Many
think that the wOrd 'strigil' is also Iberian;
but .stringere' to graze lightly, to pull or
peel OF, denotes its true derivation.
TnE soArNo.
Following upon the glove comes the
soaping process. A bowl Of water is brought
frothed with Cretan soap, which is some
times perfumcd, and the soft fibrous life Of
palm tree to rub the body with. With this
the body is washed, beginning at the head;
this operation is repeated twice. Then
come the hot cloths, in which you are
wrapped and the final act Of the bath Is
IL TO wash bowl of water over the feet; a
very important custom this, and one which
opens up very singular subject OF inquiry,
though we shall not at present touch upon
ii.
You now return to the cooling room,
or frigidarium There you recline upon
n couch with sense Of ease and tranquility
almost indescribablc. The blood circulates
freely, the chest dilates, the fresh air comes
charged with vitality. The wretchcd find
life tolcrable, and the aged cast off for mo
mcnt the burden of years. Sayery, de
scribing the sensation, says, Ii feels rs IL
one was Just born, and began to live for the
arst time. A lively sense oi existence spreads
over the whole body {; one yields to the
most pleasant imaginations, and the mind
is entertained with the most delightful rev
cries. The fanny ransacks all nature, aud
finds in il nothing but the gayest pictures,
and images ofpure delight. IT life Is but
succession Of IDEAS he runs on. philosoph-
ling after Locke, us was the manner OF his
countrymcn in that day If life is but a
succession OF ideas, the rapidity with which
the memory then traces them, the yisor with
which the spirit then trayerses every link,
would lead one to suppose that in the two
hours Of unbrokon calm which follow the
bath many years have elapsed Every one
who has experienced the processes OF the real
Turkish bath. in their perfection. bear wit
ness 10 the same effect Tho whole man
wakes, and vet the whole man Is in state
ofrepose. The is sense of recondite ener-
Nv coupled with the silent serenity OF ALSO
lutte rest. The air gruws electrical, and we
find for the first time that breathing is in
SEPARATION. This feeling soon gives place to
an eager appetite for exercise and labor;
most natural succession