and presented with a very fine embroidered handkerchief.  Her slaves were to the number of thirty, besides ten little ones, the eldest not above seven years old.  These were the most beautiful girls I ever saw, all richly dressed; and I observed that the sultana took a great deal of pleasure in these lovely children, which is a vast expence; for there is not a handsome girl of that age to be bought under a hundred pounds sterling.  They wore little garlands of flowers, and their own hair, braided, which was all their head-dress; but their habits were all of gold stuffs.  These served her coffee kneeling; brought water when she washed, &c.—­’Tis a great part of the work of the older slaves to take care of these young girls, to learn them to embroider, and to serve them as carefully as if they were children of the family.  Now, do you imagine I have entertained you, all this while, with a relation that has, at least, received many embellishments from my hand?  This, you will say, is but too like the Arabian tales.—­These embroidered napkins! and a jewel as large as a turkey’s egg!—­You forget, dear sister, those very tales were written by an author of this country, and (excepting the enchantments) are a real representation of the manners here.  We travellers are in very hard circumstances:  If we say nothing but what has been said before us, we are dull, and we have observed nothing.  If we tell any thing new, we are laughed at as fabulous and romantic, not allowing either for the difference of ranks, which affords difference of company, or more curiosity, or the change of customs, that happen every twenty years in every country.  But the truth is, people judge of travellers, exactly with the same candour, good nature, and impartiality, they judge of their neighbours upon all occasions.  For my part, if I live to return amongst you, I am so well acquainted with the morals of all my dear friends and acquaintances, that I am resolved to tell them nothing at all, to avoid the imputation (which their charity would certainly incline them to) of my telling too much.  But I depend upon your knowing me enough, to believe whatever I seriously assert for truth; though I give you leave to be surprised at an account so new to you.  But what would you say if I told you, that I have been in a haram, where the winter apartment was wainscoted (sic) with inlaid work of mother of pearl, ivory of different colours, and olive wood, exactly like the little boxes you have seen brought Out of this country; and in whose rooms designed for summer, the walls are all crusted with japan china, the roofs gilt, and the floors spread with the finest Persian carpets?  Yet there is nothing more true; such is the palace of my lovely friend, the fair Fatima, whom I was acquainted with at Adrianople.  I went to visit her yesterday; and, if possible, she appeared to me handsomer than before.  She met me at the door of her chamber, and, giving me her hand With the best grace in the