TRAVELS 
33 9 
then take the bath together, that 1 might become more familiar 
with the manners and cuftoms of the natives. The Rones in the 
fmall apartments of the bath were accordingly heated, and a young 
girl of eighteen years of age, who had the office of attending, in¬ 
formed us when every thing was ready. After we entered the 
bath, the girl fird dripped us naked, and then began to throw 
water as ufual upon the Rones. She prefented us with a bafon 
of cold water, and birch rods, with which we were to fwitch our- 
felves. Feeling as a Rranger, I was quite out of countenance at 
my prefent fituation, but drove to keep up my fpirits by con- 
Rantly turning my eyes towards my companion, and endeavour¬ 
ing to imitate, as much as poffible, his mod exemplary indif¬ 
ference. The heat of the vapour rofe to fifty degrees of Celfius: 
at fird I felt a violent oppreffion, and had it quickly augmented, 
I believe, naked as I w 7 as, I ffiould have made my efcape from the 
bath ; but forcing myfelf to perfevere, 1 became gradually accuf- 
tomed to it, and after fome time was able to fupport a heat of 
65 degrees. Under this heat it was an extreme pleafure to throw 
water upon the head, and to feel it running all over the body. 
The birchen rods were garniffied with leaves, and by dipping them 
in the bafon of cold water, and afterwards lafhing the body, one 
enjoys nearly the fame fenfation. Having been about half an hour 
in the bath, my friend Cadrein, as I declined being the fird to fub- 
mit to all the ufual difeipline of the place, entered upon the procefs 
without delay, in order that I might fee how I ought to conduct 
myfelf in my turn. The girl gave him a little dool to fit upon, 
threw 
