205 TOBACCO-PIPES, CIGARS, ETC. 



The tobacco is lighted in a receptacle at the summit 

 of the tube, generally formed of gold or silver, and 

 often studded with precious stones ; and the smoke is 

 drawn into the water by means of the long smoking 

 tube, which is made of leather, covered with velvet, 

 and enriched with threads of gold and silver wire. 

 These tubes vary in length from five to ten yards, and 

 the hookah is sometimes borne behind a nobleman on 

 horseback, who can by this means continue to enjoy 

 the luxury.* A considerable exertion of lung is requi- 

 site to draw the smoke through the water ; and the 

 use of the hookah is said to have induced consumptive 

 tendencies in some persons. The clay pipe used by 

 the lower orders is formed of a deep red earth, deco- 

 rated with indented ornament produced from a mould, 

 and sparingly decorated with rude gilding. The long 



straight stem is made from a branch of jasmine, cherry- 

 tree, or maple ; it is long enough to allow the bowl to 

 rest on the floor when a Turk seats himself. 



* The construction of tills instrument is elaborately described in Du 

 JRoyaume de Siam, par Mons. De La Louvere, Envoy from Louis XIV. to 

 the King of Siam, in 1687 and 1688, who saw it in use at the court of that 

 king, and seems to have been much impressed with its novelty and 

 splendour. He describes them as provided with many pipes, through which 

 persons might smoke in company from one hookah. 



