218 FROM THE HELLESPONT 
CHAP. We received e^reat civilities from the Pasha. 
VII 
/ He sent one of his officers, with our Greek servant, 
to collect some marbles which we wished to re- 
move from Troas; a work generally attended with 
difficulty, owing to a notion the Turks have, that 
Christians cmi extract gold from such stones. The 
ceremony of his daughter's marriage with the 
son of an Asiatic Viceroy, called, by way of emi- 
nence. The Pasha of Asia, and said to be Lord 
over a hundred villages, took place during the 
PubHc iX^ciie. we remained. Upon this occasion, public 
sports were exhibited; and we had an opportu- 
nity of seeing a magnificent celebration of the 
game of Djerid, the tournament of the Turks. 
This very antient pastime might possibly have 
given rise to tilts and tournaments. It is difficult 
to reconcile a passion for this martial exercise 
with the natural habits and indolence of the Turks. 
The two old Pashas fought against the young 
bridegroom, each party being at the head of a 
numerous band. The contest was often so severe, 
that we expected to see their eyes, if not their 
lives, sacrificed. The manner of the engagement 
has been often described. It consists chiefly in 
a charge at full speed, and in an attack, made by 
hurling short thick sticks, as javelins'. Great 
(l) According to the Chevalier D'Jrvieur, {Voy. dans la Palestiney 
p. 62. Par. 17 17,) it is from this kind of weapon that the game derives 
its 
