BATHS OF DAMASCUS. 
272 
enjoyed but a confused notion of proximity for some time pre¬ 
viously. An attendant now banded us cbiboucks and coffee, 
which, together with the delightful sense of cleanliness and 
relief from all further suffering, produced a glow that was 
quite ecstatic. Covered up to our necks in warm sheets, we 
lay back, supported by pillows, sipped our coffee and smoked 
our chiboucks with a relish to which all the past pleasures of 
life seemed absolutely flat. A thorough feeling of forgiveness, 
a quiet sense of happiness, and an utter indifference to the 
world and all its cares, pervaded the entire inner man, while 
the outer was wrapt in that state of physical beatitude which 
the Koran promises to the devout followers of the Prophet in 
the seventh heaven. “ Stunning, isn’t it ?” said the captain, 
calmly puffing his chibouck. 
Being Frangi, of course we baclcshished every body, and 
were immoderately cheated. The entire expense, however, 
did not exceed thirty cents, including coffee and pipes—little 
enough, one would say, for such an ordeal. As for the effect 
upon the system we found it very pleasant and salutary ; but 
I have no doubt the old gentleman whom we left writing be¬ 
hind the smoking pile of sheets will do full justice to that 
branch of the subject in his work, which, it is to be hoped, 
will be translated into English. There is only one objection 
to the boiling process ; my hair has been falling out ever since, 
and I am apprehensive of total baldness before any young lady 
will be moved to pity, by these “ hair-breadth ’scapes,” these 
“dangers by flood and field.” The baths of Damascus are 
stunning; I fully agree to that; but it is with an inward 
reservation, a fixed intention to flog that old mummy out of 
his skin the very first time I meet him in Washington. 
