their meals. 
148 LEBADEA. 
CHAP, intercourse with the mhabitants of other coun- 
^^* tries. They seemed to us much as they are 
said to have been in the time of Plato, and, in 
many respects, barbarous and disgusting. Their 
Order of diuncrs, and indeed all their other meals, are 
wretched. Fowls boiled to rags, but still tough 
and stringy, and killed only an hour before they 
are dressed, constitute a principal dish, all 
heaped together upon a large copper or pewter 
salver, placed upon a low stool, round which 
the guests sit upon cushions; the place of 
honour being on that side where the long couch 
of the divan extends beneath the white-washed 
wall. A long and coarse towel, very ill washed, 
about twelve inches wide, is spread around the 
table, in one entire piece, over the knees of the 
party seated. Wine is only placed before 
strangers; the rest of the company receiving 
only a glass each of very bad wine with the 
dessert. Brandy is handed about before sitting 
down to table. All persons who partake of the 
meal, wash their hands in the room, both before 
and after eating. A girl, with naked and dirty 
feet, enters the apartment, throwing to every 
one a napkin: she is followed by a second 
damsel, who goes to every guest, and, kneeling 
before him upon one knee, presents a pewter 
water-pot and a pewter bason, covered by SLgrille, 
