THE SUMMER BATH. 
339 
greatest attraction to an oriental taste, certainly was the summer- 
bath. It seemed to comprise every thing of seclusion, elegance, 
and that luxurious enjoyment, which has too often been the 
chief occupation of some Asiatic princes ; and perhaps will ever 
be the favourite recreation with them all. This bath-saloon, or 
court, (for it is difficult to give it an exactly appropriate name,) 
is circular, with a vast basin in its centre, of pure white marble, 
of the same shape, and about sixty or seventy feet in diameter. 
This is filled with the clearest water, sparkling in the sun, for 
its only canopy is the vault of heaven; but rose-trees, with other 
pendant shrubs bearing flowers, cluster near it; and, at times, 
their waving branches throw a beautifully quivering shade over 
the excessive brightness of the water. Round the sides of the 
court, are two ranges, one above the other, of little chambers, 
looking towards the bath, and furnished with every refinement 
of the harem. These are for the accommodation of the ladies, 
who accompany the Shah during his occasional sojourns at the 
Negauristan. They undress or repose in these, before or after 
the delight of bathing; for so fond are they of this luxury, they 
remain in the water for hours ; and sometimes, when the heat 
is very relaxing, come out more dead than alive. But in this 
delightful recess, the waters flow through the basin by a constant 
vspring; thus renewing the body’s vigour, by their bracing- 
coolness ; and enchantingly refreshing the air, which the sun’s 
influence, and the thousand flowers breathing around, might 
otherwise render oppressive with their incense. The royal 
master of this Horti Adonidis , frequently takes his noon-day 
repose in one of the upper chambers which encircle the saloon 
of the bath; and, if he be inclined, he has only to turn his eyes 
to the scene below, to see the loveliest objects of his tenderness, 
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