TURKISH CURIOSITY. 179 



the khan at Platamona, whilst my companion and 

 our servant were gone to the shore to see if it 

 was possible to procure a boat. There was I, 

 reclining on the ground writing in my note- 

 book, in the midst of cloaks, swords, saddles, 

 bridles, eatables, &;c., and every description of 

 travelling apparatus, whilst a party of Turks and 

 others, assembled in the room, were crowding 

 around me, asking all sorts of questions, and 

 evidently regarding me as a sort of wild-beast. 

 My note-book and pencil appeared to puzzle 

 them the most, and every one asked me what I 

 was writing. One old fellow in a sort of white 

 night-cap seemed the most inquisitive. He took 

 my book out of my hand, looked at it with very 

 great satisfaction, and after examining it tho- 

 roughly, returned it to me with a smile upon his 

 countenance. What his ideas were I cannot 

 divine, nor do I suppose he had any distinct idea 

 on the matter, but immediately I recommenced 

 writing he laughed outright. 



The khangee, who, being a good Moslem, could 

 not sell wine himself, contrived to compound with 

 his conscience, by having a boy to retail the pro- 

 hibited liquor to his unbelieving customers, whilst 



