The age-herald., 1902-01-05
THE BATHS OF TURKEY.
So-caIIed Turkish Variety Unknown
 In That Country.
From the Review of the Week.

From the Review of the Week.
 "Is the Turkish bath known in Fur key?' This curious question is not in- frequently put to travellers from the east by people in this country. It is true there ternal appearance and management of the so-called Turkish bath in England and those of the ''hammam" in Turkey.
 Outwardly the "hammam" usually pre- sents som ething of the appearance of a domed sepulchral edifce. Of the little domes or cupolas which rise from its roof that in the middle is the highest, and Is 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 eveness of temperature which 1t is held desirable to maintain. The interior thus often becomes very close, as ventilation is very slow, being only through the open ing by passers to and fro 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 puri- flying the air.
 The great warm hall under the central dome has generally three large inches, two on each side and one in front, as well as two little chambers. Each of these inches and chambers has a roof in the shape of a 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 en- gagged for private use on application.
 The entrance hall Is square shaped, and has galleries running along on each side in which are many beds. The bathkeeper is always to be seen In his place close to the door, smoking his pipe or narghilleh and saluting the customers who come and go. In the middle of the entrance hall Is a fountain, the pure and cold water of which Is ceaselessly plashing Into its marble tank. Tn this water fresh fruits and bottles of lemon squash are kept cool In summer time for the use of cus- toners. Near it a man may be seen al- ways busy making coffee on the charcoal fire. for most people are very 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 cer- tain days of the week which are conse- crated 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 complete bath, and may stay on the premises of the establish ment as long as he pleases by paving about Is. Sd. Ladies pay much less than this sum; their expenses can hardly be much over sixpence, as they take all their own soaps, towels and clogs with them. What they pay is really the wait CT fec and penny or two for the at- tendant.
 A new feature which has been intro- duced into the old Turkish bath is the clod douche which 1t is becoming cus- tomary for the people to take after their hot bath.