UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 19 



from the young straight stems of cherry tree or 

 jessamine, on which the bark is carefully pre- 

 served ; they are from two to six feet in length, 

 and are nicely bored with a wire auger. The 

 nursing these stems daring their growth is often 

 the support of a whole family, and requires a 

 good deal of attention. To prevent the bark 

 from splitting in the heat of the day, each stem 

 is swathed with wet bandages, and the least ten- 

 dency to become crooked is counteracted, either 

 by a judicious application of the bandage, or by 

 more copiously watering the plant on one side 

 than on the other. A perfectly straight stem, 

 with a uniformly shining bark, is, however, a 

 great rarity, and sells for about two guineas. 



The bowls are made of a clay called kefkil, 

 found in Asia Minor, and in Greece. In its native 

 state, it is soft and white, but when baked, it 

 becomes hard ; and, unlike the English pipe- 

 clay, turns to a black or red colour. These 

 bowls are made of all sizes ; the Turks do not 

 like them very large ; but those exported to 

 Germany, where they are polished and finished 

 with great elegance, are as large as a man's 

 hand. Mr. Maude says he was astonished by 

 the piles of bowls in every shop of the bazaar. 



The bowls are frequently ornamented with 

 gilding, and the tubes with embroidery and 

 jewels ; but it is on the value of the mouthpiece 

 that a Turk prides himself None but th 



