262 
CLIMATE OF BAGDAD. 
purpose. From their situation they can have no windows; 
therefore catch their glimpse of daylight as it may glimmer 
through the doors from the chambers above. Thin matting 
supplies the place of carpets, and every precaution and method 
is pursued, that can bring coolness to these gloomy abodes; 
where the chief part of the natives of Bagdad pass the whole of 
the sultry day, while the atmosphere without retains its more 
scorching fires. At sun-set, each family issues from their sub¬ 
terranean shelters, and ascending to the top of the house, take 
their evening repast beneath the arch of heaven. And under the 
same free canopy, “ fanned by tepid airs,” they spread their 
bedding along the variously disposed divisions of the roof; whose 
irregular forms are so contrived, to catch every zephyr’s breath 
that passes. In these elevated apartments, the natives repose, 
until the close of October ; at which time the days become com¬ 
paratively cool; and sudden blasts blowing up during the night, 
from the north, and south-east, render sleeping in the open air 
chilling and dangerous. Hence, at these nocturnal hours, the 
good people begin to nestle into the warm corners within the 
house; but during the day, they describe the atmosphere to be 
every thing that is celestial; so clear, so balmy, so inspiriting, 
as to yield sufficient excuse to the great monarchs of Persia for 
deserting the arid regions of their own kingdom at this season, 
to take up a temporary abode in the salubrious gardens of 
Amyites. 
The eastern division of Bagdad, while it owes existence to 
Haroun-al-Raschid, may be said to have derived its real great¬ 
ness from the good regulations of Jaffer Barmecide, his cele¬ 
brated vizier. Since those splendid days, it has undergone many 
changes; and at present is defended by a lofty wall, formed of 
