Ohfervations dic. 2js 



or Colonnade \ over which, when the Houfe hath one or more 

 Stories, (and 1 have feen Them with two or three) there is a 

 Gallery eredled, of the fiime Dimenfions with the Cloyfter, 

 having a Balluftrade, or elfe aPiece of carved or latticed Work 

 going round about It. From the Cloyfter and Gallery, we are 

 conducted into large fpacious Chambers, of the fame Length ^'^^^z-'""^'''^' 

 with the Court, but feldom or never communicating with one 

 another. One of them frequently ferveth a whole Family^ 

 particularly when a Father indulgeth his married Children to 

 live with him; or when feveral Perfons joyn in the Rent of 

 one Houfe. From whence it is, that the Cities of thefe Coun- 

 tries are fo exceedingly populous, and that fuch Numbers of 

 People are always fvvept away by the Plague. A Mixture of 

 Families of this Kind feems to be fpoken of by Maimonides, 

 as he is quoted by Dr. Lightfoot ' upon i Cor. x. 16. 



In Houfes of better Fafliion, thefe Chambers are hung with ne Furvi- 

 Velvet or Damask from the Middle of the Wall downwards r""^^"^'^""' 

 the reft is adorned with the moft ingenious Wreathings and 

 Devices in Stucco and Fret- Work. The Cieling is generally ^'fC/W/V/r. 

 of Wainfcott, either very artfully painted, or elfe thrown 

 into a Variety of Pannels, with gilded Mouldings and Scrolls 

 of their Cor an intermixed. The Prophet Jeremiah zz.i^. 

 exclaimeth againft fome of the Eaftern Houfes that were 

 deled with Cedar, and painted with Vermilion. The Floors ^^^ ^■''""■• 

 are laid with painted Tiles or Plaifter of Terrace \ but the 

 Eaftern Nations making no ufe of Chairs, (either fitting crofs- 

 legged, or lying at length upon thefe Floors,) they have them 

 conftantly fpread over with Carpets, which fometimes are moft 

 beautifully defigned, and of the richeft Materials. For their 

 further Eafe likewife and Convenience, there is a Row of Da- 

 mask or Velvet Bolfters, ranged along each Side of the Floor : 

 an Indulgence that feems to be alluded to by the /owing of 

 Tillows to Arm-holes, as we have It exprefied by the Prophet 



I " Solomon appointed that each Place be appropriated to one Man there where there is 

 " a Divifion into diverfe Habitations, and each of the Inhabitants receive there a Place 

 " proper to himfcif, and fome Place alfo is left there common to all, fo that all have an 

 " equal Right to It, as a Court belonging to many Houfes &c. (2T1'J/') The conforting 

 " together, which thofe that dwell among themfelvesin the fame Court, make, (is called 

 " nnsn '31TJ7 Mivavia) The Communion of Courts. And that conforting together which 

 " they make that dwell among themfelvcs in the fame Walk or Entry, or which Citizens of 

 " the fame City make among themfelves is called (5)in'U?) participating together." 



Z z 2 z Ezekiel 



