'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎377] (454/905)

CHAP. XVI.] PERSONAL QUALITIES OF THE TURK. 377
yet expressive countenance, indicate his habitual silence ; while
in his conduct there are not wanting traits of gentleness and
kindness, joined with the most perfect ease of manner in every
station of life. On the other hand, it must be owned that he
is lamentably deficient in education, from which cause, and the
love of ease, which induces him to neglect all exertion, the
powers of his mind are not developed.
The European is often induced to tax his bodily and mental indolence of
powers to the utmost in the hope of enjoying a state of repose the Turks '
at a future day ; but the Turk is content to loll upon his diwan ;
to pass the time with his guests, his chibuk, and his coffee,
till the appointed time comes round of visiting the mosque,
the bath, or the coffee-house, or of repeating his prayers at
home. Games of chance being prohibited by the Koran,
chess or draughts take their place ; and when surrounded by
his friends, he may, after briefly despatching a simple meal, be
found listening with deep interest to eastern tales and pro
verbs, or else enjoying the amusement of public dancers ; and
occasionally also he indulges in the forbidden pleasure of wine
or opium.
Up to the close of the last century fanaticism and intoler- The Rayahs,
ance characterized the Turk, and caused him to exercise the
utmost harshness of conduct towards the Rayah, who was
often compelled by blows to obey the commands of his haughty
master. The condition of the Rayah has, however, of late
been greatly mitigated; and the firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). of Sultan Mahmoud
has secured equal privileges to all 1 classes of his people.
The callings of the mechanic or artisan, with the visits to Employments
the bazar, a coffee-house, or a khan, are the principal employ- of the Turk8 "
ments of the men in towns: those of the country, like the
ancient Greeks, are at intervals engaged in spinning cotton.
Agriculture is not held to be beneath their dignity; the fields
in consequence are well laboured, and the crops well cleaned;
but cultivation is still carried on to a very limited extent.
The late Sultan's laudable attempt to lessen the evil of Their dress,
smoking, and his reforms in dress, have made their way very
1 The Raydh is now entitled to wear the same dress as the Turk.
VOL. I. 3 c