I am very positive, the coldest and most rigid pride upon earth, could not have looked upon them without thinking of something not to be spoke of.—­I suppose you may have read that the Turks have no music, but what is shocking to the ears; but this account is from those who never heard any but what is played in the streets, and is just as reasonable, as if a foreigner should take his ideas of English music, from the bladder and string, or the marrow-bones and cleavers.  I can assure you that the music is extremely pathetic; ’tis true, I am inclined to prefer the Italian, but perhaps I am partial.  I am acquainted with a Greek lady who sings better than Mrs Robinson, and is very well skilled in both, who gives the preference to the Turkish.  ’Tis certain they have very fine natural voices; these were very agreeable.  When the dance was over, four fair slaves came into the room, with silver censers in their hands, and perfumed the air with amber, aloes-wood, and other scents.  After this, they served me coffee upon their knees, in the finest japan china, with soucoups of silver, gilt.  The lovely Fatima entertained me, all this while, in the most polite agreeable manner, calling me often uzelle sultanam, or the beautiful sultana; and desiring my friendship with the best grace in the world, lamenting that she could not entertain me in my own language.

WHEN I took my leave, two maids brought in a fine silver basket of embroidered handkerchiefs; she begged I would wear the richest for her sake, and gave the others to my woman and interpretess.—­I retired through the same ceremonies as before, and could not help thinking, I had been some time in Mahomet’s paradise; so much was I charmed with what I had seen.  I know not how the relation of it appears to you.  I wish it may give you part of my pleasure; for I would have my dear sister share in all the diversions of, Yours,&c.

LET.  XXXIV.

TO THE ABBOT OF ——.

Adrianople, May 17.  O. S.

I AM going to leave Adrianople, and I would not do it without giving you some account of all that is curious in it, which I have taken a great deal of pains to see.  I will not trouble you with wise dissertations, whether or no this is the same city that was anciently called Orestesit or Oreste, which you know better than I do.  It is now called from the emperor Adrian, and was the first European seat of the Turkish empire, and has been the favourite residence of many sultans.  Mahomet the fourth, and Mustapha, the brother of the reigning emperor, were so fond of it, that they wholly abandoned Constantinople; which humour so far exasperated the janizaries, that it was a considerable motive to the rebellions that deposed them.  Yet this man seems to love to keep his court here.  I can give you no reason for this partiality.  ’Tis true, the situation is fine, and the country all round very beautiful;