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turning round in the most rapid manner to the sound 
of music, attached to his waist a petticoat, which in 
consequence of his motion soon assumed the form of 
an umbrella; he then took off his shirt without unbut- 
toning his waistcoat which covered it, turning round 
the whole time; divided the tuft of hair upon his head 
jnto several tresses, to each of which he fixed one by 
one several naked sabres which were handed to him 
whilst at full speed by a companion who stood by; he 
fastened the handle of each to one of his tresses; I 
saw him fix as many as twelve or fourteen in this way, 
which by the rapidity of his movement formed a circle 
or horizontal disk round his head. He then took an- 
other naked sabre with his teeth, and placed several 
others round his body, I know not how, so that he 
was completely bristled with naked sabres. After this, 
without slackening his rapidity of movement, he drew 
a sabre out of its scabbard, and what appeared more 
difficult, he sheathed it again, with a firmness and ad- 
dress truly astonishing. He then took off the sabres 
one by one, and returned them to his comrade. He 
took off the petticoat, put on his shirt without unbut- 
toning his waistcoat, and after having continued his 
rapid pirouettes for more than half an hour, his com. 
panion put an end to this whimsical exhibition by 
throwing a large pelisse over him, which was a very 
necessary precaution, for the perspiration exhaled in 
streams from his body. 
The women of high rank are strictly guarded at 
Constantinople, but those of the lower orders go alone 
every where; in the streets, bazars, turbeks or chapels, 
and cemeteries, and on the sea shore, there are as 
many women as men to be seen all hours of the day. 
This liberty, in so populous a city, surrounded with 
