The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-05-16
dhines sbroad.
From he Alta California.
AN ORIENTAL PARADISE.
AYankss weman'sfspsrIsnssl d J TurtIsh Bath
HoF Women Pass the Ddyin Constaatinople
--Fsrfamed Liixw'fes fran ichick Men are
ErclMded d--The Mysteries offke Bath.


- ft-ifA ANtNt HAs
coNsrANTIsoPLE, Feb. 16.--I have
read certainly not less than fifty times
elaborate descriptions Of genuine Turkish
baths by Bayard Taylor, Ross Browne and
others, and | had always had my imagiua-
tion filed with combined eestacies Of be-
ing scrubbed with hot water and perfum-
cd soap, and iced sherbet, and I made up
my mind not to leave Turkey without hay.
ing had that delightful experience. You
know that I belong to the softer sex, and
they do not bathe promiscuously here as
in Baden Baden, Long Branch, and many
other fashionable places.
This bath where l went is for ladies
alone, and not even the common herd be-
ing admitted, for the charge is very high
] have made few friends among the ma
tiyes since came here, and can speak
few words Of Greek (the predominant
tongue and owing to my acquaintance
with them got glimpse, or rather a
whole days sight, Of paradise where man
is excluded. The exterior Of these baths
is Of the usual style, or no style, of Turk
ish arehiteeture-bnt the interior fully
reeompenses for the lack of beauty with
out. 1t Is 10 the upper part of Galanta,
and you 30 in sedan chairs, which wait
for you, as'you must take the extremest
care Of yourself in coming out Of the bath,
particularly at this season Of the year. A
cold taken after Turkish bath is always
fatal.
Four Of US went, together with two SER
wants who carried our towels, bathing
dresses and lunch Its an all days job,
and the ladies all take lunch with them.
| had number Of very handsome and Gu.
rious things given me at the exposition by
the Egyptian and Turkish commissions
and among them were large bathing tow
els with borders of gold woven in; also a
bathing dress similarly decorated. My
friends insisted on my taking them, and
they made Of me while in the bath per
son Of no ordinary Importance, for as Il
happens, no one but royal ladies' are per,
mitted to wear such in public baths; how,
ever, nobody interfered with my right tc
wear them, only admired me, not always
from distance.
On entering we were conducted TO 1
large room, where We must undress and
leave our things. Think there were fff,
women there in all stages of undress, VIII,
all paused to regard uswith curiosity Will,
we disrobed. Men can pull of their mos
sacred garments, toss them in heap, ant
run about as il nothing were amiss, bu
somehow | felt as Eve did when she mad,
the discovery that she was little too thin
ly clad for that time Of the year.
A servant caught up our bathing dressel
and left the room, beckoning us to follow
We ran the gauntlet Of a hundred pair o
eyes before we reached the diyan where
was laid, like a defunct, still with n,
clothes on. raised my head to see if
could not find friendly towel or anything
but the attendant ducked my head bacl
on the pillow again, as much as to say
''lie there | did, but rolled my eve
around little, and saw that there were a
least twenty more women lying around Il
spots like myself; but they all seemed ;,
take il very easily.
The room was very warm and grew
warmer perceptibly, though how | dom
know, until began to feel as If | shoult
sufocate, until my heart beat painful,
and | grew very faint, when one Of th,
, women gave me some lemonade, ofwhicl
| drank two glasses. Then, all Of a sud
den, | began to perspire, and I looked
like pumpkin that had lain out all nigh
in heavy dew | felt as if was dissoly
ing, aud waited patiently tillfhe end should
come, and | should be but the transpar
ent essence Of what was once very sub
stantial body; but that time had not come
| was 50 sleepy that l felt ike calling very
hard names, when the woman came in and
made me get up after she had rubbed ms
!, down like race-horse with pair of very
scratchy gloves, which left my skin as red
as lobster Then we. all being III The
same state, were led into another great
vaulted, marblc-hoored room, where til,
divans are made Of marble, which is moi
at all soft to leon. This room was warm.
er than the last, the more vapory, and The
vapor was more strongly perfamed with
sandal wood Afer lying few moment'
the marble grows soft, and sense Of tho
most delicious rcpcse comes over you.
Yon feel a soft languor and a dreamy CON
tent, and your eyes close, and you lay Will
smile Of exquisite lazincss on your lips
aud your imagination flies Of in ever,
possible direction, when the sweet repos'
is again rudely broken, and You hav,
ao.;n 81, ar,sr. a.,