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BAKTCHESERAI, 
chap, concealed from outward view by trellises. The 
■ , , v — chief concern, both of Tahtars and Turks, in their 
dwellings, seems to be, to avoid observation. 
Their apartments are very cold, and, to the 
generality of Europeans, would be insufferable 
in winter ; but the Tahtar, having nothing to do 
during that season of the year, but to sit smok- 
ing, wrapped up in a huge pelisse, would find 
the rooms equally insupportable if they were 
warmer. 
Prepara- A very handsome bath, prepared in one part 
foTth^re- 6 of the palace for the late Empress, is worthy of 
rir f notice ; because, remaining exactly as it was 
Empress, fitted for her, it offers a proof of the lavish 
expenditure of Potemkin during her celebrated 
journey to the Crimea, The same luxuries were 
provided wheresoever she halted ; together with 
all the elegancies and conveniences of palaces, 
in buildings that were furnished as if for her 
continual residence. She had adopted the daily 
practice of bathing her body with cold water, 
and for that purpose the most sumptuous baths 
were everywhere constructed ; and although 
many of them were used only once, they were 
all lined throughout with white cotton quilts, 
and were surrounded by carpets and by sofas 
Seraglio. of the same materials. A part of the seraglio 
particularly appropriated to the use of the 
