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34 CONSTANTINOPLE AND ITS ENVIRONS.
transparent, called mahalabie; from this he cuts off a slice with a brass shovel, lays it
on a plate, of which he has a pile on his tray, and, dividing it into square morsels, he
drops on it attar of roses, or some other perfume, from a perforated silver vessel, and it
forms a very cooling and delightful food. The next is halva, a composition of flour and
honey, which separates into flakes; a third is a long roll like a black-pudding, formed
of walnuts, enclosed in a tenacious glue, made of the inspissated juice of various fruits;
the fourth is a gelatinous substance, formed into large square dies; it is made with honey
and the expressed juice of fresh ripe grapes. It melts in the mouth with a very delicious flavour, and at once softens and mitigates any inflammation there. It is the most
highly-prized confection of the Turks, who call it by a very appropriate name, rahat
locoom, or " comfort to the throat," which it well merits. These are the principal
confections peculiar to the country: they are all excellent in their kind, and consumed
in great quantities by the natives at those parties.
But of all the refreshments sought for, simple water is perhaps the most in request.
It is inconceivable to a person born in a cold, humid, western climate, how necessary, not
only to enjoyment but to existence, is this simple element, in the torrid regions of the
East. The high estimation in which it is held, and the eagerness with which it is
sought, are recorded by all writers, ancient and modern, sacred and profane. It is
a pure beverage, particularly adapted to the taste of a Turk. He never rides to any
distance without a leathern bottle of it attached to his saddle: he never receives a visit,
that it is not handed to his guest; and in all convivial pic-nics on the grass, the sougee,
or " water-vender," is in the greatest request. He is everywhere seen moving about,
with his clear glass cup in one hand, and his jar with a long spout in the other, and the
cry constantly heard is, sou, soook-sou, " water, cold water." When called, he attaches
a mass of snow to the spout, and the water comes limpid and refrigerated through the
pores of it. In the illustration is seen one of those magnificent fountains, by which the
Turks express their respect for the precious fluid. The front is the reservoir into which
the water pours. This is generally surrounded with gilded cups or basins, and a dervish,
or other person, stands beside them to dispense the water.—Among the fruit sold is the
grape. The Turks cultivate a peculiar kind, called chaoush; it is large, white, and
sweet, and consumed in vast quantities. Though producing indifferent wine, it is
perhaps the finest table-grape that is cultivated. Among the sellers of refreshments,
is the oozoom-gee, who weighs out his fine fruit at five paras, or less than one halfpenny,
per pound. |
