30 
Travels into tbe'L e v a n t. 
'art 
Smour. 
Meftes. 
very dear. They carry tv>ro Handkerchiefs at their girdle, one on each fide, 
and their Tobacco-pouch hangs alfo at 'it -, their Purfe being in their bofom, 
as many things elfe are, to wit, their Papers and foul Handkerchiefs, for they 
ufe their bofoms as we do our pockets. Over the DoUman they wear a Feredffe, 
which is like our Night-gown, having very wide fleeves, and about as long'^as 
the arm, though they hang not always fo far down ^ this ferves them for .1 
Cloak, and in the Winter-time they line it with rich Furrs, and fuch as are 
aiDle, willingly lay out four or five hundred Piaftres for a Lining of Sables, 
which they czW Samonr. Their Stockins are of Cloth the length of the leg, 
the feet whereof are focks of yellow or red Leather, according to their quality, 
fewed to the Stockins ; they call thefe Socks MeHes. Their Shoes are of the 
fame colour, and made almoft like Slippers, the heel is equal to the reft of the 
fole, only it is (hod with a piece of Iron made purpofely half-round, and 
Fahouuhes. thefe Shoes they call Paboutches. Their head is covered with a crimfon Velvet 
Cap, without brims, gilded in the in-fide, and round that, they wreath a 
Turban. white or red Turban : This Tnrban is a fcarf of Linnen or Silk ftufi', many Eils 
long, and the whole breadth of the ftufl^, which they turn feveral times about 
their head, and they wreath it in many fafhions ; fo that the. condition or qua- 
lity of the Man may be known by the way he wears the Turban, and other head- 
attire, whereof we lhall fpeak hereafter : Some fafliions of them are very dif- 
ficult to be made, and there are people whofe trade and profeflion is to make 
them up, as Drelfers are with us. As for the Kindred of Mahomet, whom they 
call Scherifs^ they wear a green Turban, (the word Scherif figni^es Noble) 
and none but thofc of that Race dare take to themfelves this Title, or wear 
green on the head, there being no other way to diftinguifh them but by their 
colour. Thefe Blades (who have only an imaginary Nobility) are very nume- 
rous, and for the moll: part Beggars, if you except fome Princes which they 
have ftill iu feme States of Arabia and Africa^ of whom we fhall treat in ano- 
ther place. Thefe Scfefr?/} give it out, that they have this particular vertue in 
themfelves. That throw them into a fiery Furnace, they'll come out without 
any hurt. The Women of this Race, are alfo to be known by a piece of green 
ftulF which they have fattened to their Veil on the fore- part of their head. But 
to return to the Turks Apparel ; 1 look upon it to be very commodious, and, 
indeed, it is the Habit moft generally ufed in the World, if you except fome 
The Hair Northern and Weftern Provinces. The Turks (have their heads, and think 
and Kcards of it firange that the Tcrancki fuffer their Hair to grow ; for they fay that the Dc- 
the Turks, yii neftles in it ; fo that they are not fubjed to that filth and naftinefs which 
breed among our Hair, if we be not careful to comb it well : But they let their 
Beard and Muftachios grow, except thofe who are brought up and have Offi- 
ces in the Serraglio ^ for none there but the Grand Signior^ and the BoBanji 
£ajha, fuffer it to grow; and they have a great elleem for a Man that hath a 
lovely Beard ; it is a great affront to one to take him by the Beard, unlefs it 
• ' be to kifs him, as they often do ; they fwear by their Beard, as alfo by the 
Head of their Father, of the Grand Sigmor, and fuch like Oaths, When they 
The Turkifh falute one another, they uncover not the head, and to do fo would be an 
wayofialu- gffront ^ but only laying their hand upon the breaft, and bowing a little, they 
fay, Sela meofi aleicom, which is afmuch as to fay, Peace be with you ; and he 
that is faluted, does the like, and anfwers, Akicom ej[elam ve rahhmet vUahj 
which is to fay. Peace be with you, and God's Mercy alfo ; and fuch other 
Benedidions. In fine, that way of faluting is very grave, and was, indeed, 
the ancient way of Salutation, as appears by Holy Scripture. The left hand 
is the more honourable with the Turks, becaufe it is the Sword-fide ^ fo that 
he who is on the right-hand, has the Sword under the hand of him whom he 
would honour. When a Turk walks with a Chriftian, he will not willingly 
give him the left hand ^ and it is very eafie to make them agree as to that 
point j for feeing with us the right hand is the more honourable, both of them 
are in the place of honour. 
ting 
The more 
hononrable 
fide. 
CHAP. 
