'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.' [‎370] (447/905)

370 FOUNTAINS, BATHS, AND MOSQUES. [CHAP. XVI.
The khans of the East are either constructed by govern
ment and let at a fixed rent, or are founded by charitable
bequests ; and in either case the expense to the traveller, even
at those in the towns, is trifling, whilst at those on the high
roads it is almost nominal; the khanji or keeper being con
tent with a trifling gratuity in addition to the income which he
derives from supplying barley for the animals ; and rice, fowls,
milk, charcoal, &c., for persons who desire to purchase them.
The distance between these buildings seldom exceeds an ordi
nary day's journey with loaded animals ; and it is not unusual
to find that, in other places, through the generosity of the
Muslims, there have been constructed fountains or cisterns,
to which, in case of drought, the inhabitants bring supplies,
in order that the traveller may have the comfort of finding
water without inconvenience or delay.
The object next in estimation among eastern people is the
bath. This also is a square substantial stone building, which
is covered with one large and several smaller domes ; and like
that of the ancients, it has several apartments, which, in suc
cession, are of higher degrees of temperature, up to that of
vapour. Shampooing, cracking the joints, and the rest of the
ceremony being completed, coffee, pipes, and a little sleep, ter
minate an every-day luxury, which comes within the means of
the poorest individual.
The mosques likewise differ but little from one another. A
paved court surrounds each, and from it a spacious flight of
steps leads to the entrance of the building : within the court
is a fountain, and usually a flock of blue Mecca pigeons. A
scarlet curtain being removed, the visitor is at once inside of a
spacious square apartment, which is either carpeted or matted,
according to the season ; and, with the exception of a few sen
tences from the Koran, which are inscribed on the walls, the
interior is remarkably plain : it is at the same time rather
imposing, owing to the effect of the light, which by day is
introduced beneath the dome, and at night is reflected by
thousands of coloured lamps arranged in festoons. To the
finest of these buildings there are four minarehs, which are
carried up separately from the ground, and terminate in a