Evening star., 1901-12-24
sATHs IN TURKEY.
Cur So-Called TnrkiSh Variety IL TN.
known In That Country.

From the Review OF the Week.
us the Turkish bath1 known In Turkey?''
This curious question Is net unfreouently
put to travellers from the east by people in
this country. 1t is tr9e there is not much
resemblance between the external appear
ance and management Of the so-eailed
Turkish bath in England and those Of the
''hammam" in Turkey y
Outwardly the "harnman..' usually pre-
sents something of the appearance OF a
domed sepulchral edifce. OF the litfle
domes or cupolas which rise from its roof
that in the middle is the highest, and it set
with many small windows for the purpose
of lighting the BATH The massive walls
that form the sides of the 'hammam'
have no windows and 1t is thought that If
the walls were pierced the outside air
would penetrate into the interior and cause
variations in the evenness of temperature
which it is held desirable to maintain.
The interior thus often becomes very close,
as ventilation Is very slow, being only
of the double doors OF the passage which
leads to the cool entrance hall. Every now
and then the attendants burn frankincense
In the interior Of the bath with the idea
Of purifying the air
The great warm hall under the central
dome has generally three large inches, two
on each side and one in 'front.' as we'll as
two little chambers. Each of these inches
half hemisphere. which contains a few
tiny glass apertures, and which is Joined
to the central dome roof. In all these
inches and chambers there are according
to the size Of the bath, one, two or three
marble basins which are fixed in the low
part Of the wall, each basin being provided
with hot and cold water taps. Round these
basins people sit on marble or wooden seats
which are raised about five or six inches
above the floor; and seated thereon they
have their bath. The little chambers can
be engaged for private use on appIica-
tion.
The entrance hall Is square shaped, and
has gallaries running along on each side
In Which are many beds. The bath keeper
is always to be seen in his place close to
the door. smoking his pipe or nargulleh,
and saluting the customers who come and
go. In the middle of the entrance hall is
fountain. the pure and cold water of
which is ceaselessly FLASHING into its mar
Die tank. In this water fresh fruits and
bottles of lemon squash, are kept cool In
summer time for the use of customers
Near 1t a man may be seen always busy
making coffee on the charcoal fire, for most
people are ever ready to take tiny cup
Of coffee at almost any time of the day.
Many Of the Turkish baths are built
double. one portion being assigned for the
use of ladies. In some places ladies go to
the baths only on certain days Of the week
which are consecrated to them. Certain
baths, again, are used by them every day
until o'clock in the evening, after which
hour they are made over for the use Of
men. The charges are very reasonable
A man can have a complete bath, and may
stay on the premises of the establishment
as long as he pleases. by paying about Is
I'd. Ladies pay much less than this sum !;
their expenses can hardly be much os er
sixpence as they take all their own soaps,
towels and clogs with them. What they
pay is really the water fee'' and a penny
or two for the attendant.
A new feature which has been introduced
into the old Turkish bath is the cold water
douche which 1t is becoming customary for
the people to take after their hot bath.