VALLEY OF BAIDAR, 
winds, and irrigated by clear streams falling 
from the bills, seem to afford them a happy 
retreat ; and our ride through the valley was 
very pleasing. The mode of inclosure, and the 
manner of cultivation, resemble those of our 
own country. The mountains, and the plain, 
are thick set with oak, wild pear, crab, and 
carnelian cherry-trees, whose foliage shaded 
the road, and protected us from the scorch- 
ing rays of the sun ; otherwise darting with 
uncommon force into this valley. Our lodg- 
ing at night, and our meals by day, were 
entirely among Tahtars : this circumstance 
enabled us to witness the domestic habits of the 
people. When a stranger arrives, they con- 
duct him into an a jartment appropriated solely 
for men, and present to him a bason, water, 
and a clean napkin, to wash his hands. Then 
they place before him whatsoever their dwell- 
ing affords, of curd, cream, honey in the 
comb, poached eggs, roasted fowls, or fruit. 
After the meal is over, the bason and water are 
brought in as before ; because the Tahtars, like 
the Turks and other Oriental nations, eat with 
their fingers ; not using forks. Then, if the 
visit be made in the house of a rich Tahtar, a 
long pipe is presented, having a tube of cherry- 
tree wood, tipped with amber or ivory. After 
this, carpets and cushions are laid for the 
