ATHENS. 5 
time which is not spent in the business of the chap. 
toilette, and at meals, is given to spinning and v .^^-i , 
embroidery. Reading or writing seems to be 
entirely unknown ; or to be considered rather 
as the vulgar occupation of clerks and scriveners, 
than of persons of taste and rank. The accom- 
pHshments of the Grecian, as of the Turkish ladies, 
are few in number : some few among them are 
able to touch, rather than to p/ai/ upon, the dul- 
cimer or the guitar ; and to dance, but without 
the slightest degree of elegance or of liveliness. 
We visited the ball to which we had been Descnp. 
invited ; and found a large party of the wealthiest Bail, 
matrons of the Greek families, seated in a row, 
with their daughters standing: before them. 
When the dancing began, we were called upon 
fastened before by clasps of silver gilded, orcf gold set with precious 
stones. Over the vest is a robe, in summer lined with ermine, and 
in cold weather with fur. The head-dress is a scull-cap, red or 
green, with pearls ; a stay under the chin, and a yellow forehead-cloth. 
She has bracelets of gold on her wrists ; and, like Aurnni, is rnsy- 
Jingered; the tips being stained. Her necklace is a strin? of zechins, 
a species of gold coin ; or of the pieces called Byzantines. At her 
cheeks is a lock of hair, made to curl towards the face ; and down 
her back falls a profusion of tresses, spreading over her shoulders. Much 
time is consumed in combing and braiding the liair after bathing ; and at 
the greater festivals, in enriching and powdering it with small bits of 
silver, gilded, resembling a violin in shape, and woveii-iii at regular 
distances. She is painted blue round the eyes; and the insides of the 
sockets, with the edges on which the lashes grow, are tinged with 
black." Chandler's Travels in Greece, p. 123. Ojf. 1776. 
