s 
262 on Turkifb gardens. Dee. 16. 
fection, he ¢ave an entertainment to the sultan, his mas- 
ter} which having prolonged till the evening, he then 
caused his parterre to bé illuminated by several thousand 
small chrystal lamps, disposed with art, so as to produce 
the most striking effect; when leading the sultan unex- 
pectedly thither, Achmet was so inchanted with the bril- 
liancy of this superb exhibition, that he could scarcely be 
satisfied with admiring it, and demanded a repetition of it 
several times from brahim; and ordered, farther, that the 
same fhould be renewed every year at the seraglio, at the 
season of these flowers. This entertainment of a new 
kind, was commemorated under the name of Lale Tuchi- 
reghani, which means the illumination of tulips; and the 
country house of Jérahim, is since known by the name of 
Tochiraghann Yalifcy. Mahomet 1. took also’ great plea- 
sure in this divertifsement during his whole reign; but 
the princes his succefsors, not having had the same taste, 
this brilliant fete has been since suffered to fall into ne-- 
glect; tothe regret of the whole seraglio. 
Next to flowers, the Mahometans are singularly fond of 
plantations of large growing trees; the frefinefs which 
their fhade affords in a burning climate, being grateful in‘ 
a high degree. The trees in chief repute among them are 
the oak, the lime, the platanus, the elm, the fir, the ches: 
nut, the walnut, and the palm ; but above all the cyprefs; 
which is’ specially consecrated to burying grounds: These’ 
people, in consequence of their superstitious opinions; 
have a sort of respect’ for all kinds of trees: Several’ 
among them believe that they would expose themsélves to 
some disastrous accident, fhould they cut down, root out; 
or burn any one yf them without necefsity. This senti- 
ment has a force’ with them, in proportion to the fecundity 
of the tree, its beauty, or its age; but nothing can over- 
come the veneration. they bear for those trees, which sur- 
