They had no fixed meal-times during the day, but the women and children were constantly eating bread, cucumbers, melons and buttermilk.  In the evenings they bathed very much, and every one washed their hands, faces, and feet, which ceremony was frequently repeated three or four times before prayers; but there was a great want of real devotion:  in the middle of the prayers they chattered right and left.  However, there is not much difference with us.

Notwithstanding all these glaring and gross defects I found these people very amiable:  they willingly permitted themselves to be taught, admitted their failings, and always allowed me to be right when I said or explained anything to them.  For example, the little Ascha, a girl seven years of age was very intractable.  If she was denied anything she threw herself on the ground, crying miserably, rolling about in the filth and dirt, and smearing with her dirty hands the bread, melons, etc.  I endeavoured to make the child conscious of her misbehaviour, and succeeded beyond all expectation.  I, in fact, imitated her.  The child looked at me astounded, upon which I asked if it had pleased her.  She perceived the offensiveness of her conduct, and I did not often need to imitate her.  It was just the same with regard to cleanliness.  She immediately washed herself carefully, and then came running joyfully to me showing her hands and face.  During the few days I was here the child became so fond of me that she would not leave my side, and sought in every way to make friends with me.

I was not less fortunate with the women; I pointed out their torn clothes, brought needles, and thread, and taught them how to sew and mend.  They were pleased with this, and I had in a short time a whole sewing school round me.

How much good might be done here by any one who knew the language and had the inclination, only the parents must be taught at the same time as the children.

What a fine field is here open to the missionaries if they would accustom themselves to live among these people, and with kindness and patience to counteract their failings!  As it is, however, they devote at the utmost only a few hours in the day to them, and make their converts come to them, instead of visiting them in their own houses.

The women and girls in the Asiatic countries receive no education, those in the towns have little or no employment, and are left to themselves during the whole day.  The men go at sunrise to the bazaars, where they have their stalls or workshops, the bigger boys go to school or accompany their fathers, and neither return home before sunset.  There the husband expects to find the carpets spread out on the terraces, the supper ready, and the nargilly lighted, he then plays a little with the young children, who, however, during meal-time are obliged to keep away with their mothers.  The women in the villages have more liberty and amusement, as they generally take part in the housekeeping.  It is said that the people in the country here are, as among ourselves, more moral than in the towns.