| Transcript |
WITH THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA MINOR. 79
he feels a renovated existence. Refreshments of various kinds are brought to him, and,
after taking them, he lies for some time sunk in that dreamy repose of half-conscious
existence, which is the very paradise of an Oriental. When this is past, and the heat
of his body is reduced gradually to its usual temperature, so that he apprehends no peril
from sudden change, he resumes his clothes, and goes on his way rejoicing.
Nothing can afford a stronger contrast than the cautious effeminacy of a Turk, and
the rude hardihood of his neighbour and enemy the Russian, in this particular. Both
equally indulge in hot-baths; but the one reduces the temperature of his body afterwards, by careful gradations, even in the midst of summer, and dreads any extreme
sensation as mortal; while the other rushes from burning heat, with every pore streaming
with perspiration, into the intense cold of frozen snow, in the depth of winter, and
thinks the luxury and salubrity of the bath increased by the contrast
By a return of the Stambol effendi, or Turkish lord-mayor, there were in the city
88,115 houses, 130 of which were public baths, in which most of the inmates of the
other houses daily indulged. To accommodate the number, men and women were obliged
to have recourse to the same bath, at different hours.
THE ACROPOLIS OF PERGAMUS.
ASIA MINOR.
This city of the Apocalypse was distinguished by many circumstances worthy of
record, both in profane and sacred history. It was erected by Philoterus, a eunuch,
into the capital of many nations, comprising Lydia, Caria, Phrygia, and other states
of Asia Minor, two centuries and a half before the birth of Christ. It possessed the
greatest library then known in the world, consisting of 200,000 volumes, afterwards
brought by Cleopatra to form that of Alexandria. It gave rise to a material for writing
which has since been invaluable in the world. Ptolemy had prohibited the exportation
of papyrus from Egypt, and an artist of Pergamus invented parchment, thence called
" pergamea." It was celebrated for the worship of Esculapius, who had a splendid temple
there. The priests were the physicians, and the temple was crowded with patients,
who invoked succour by watching and prayer. This was communicated by means of
dreams and visions through the priests, who administered the remedies which they
affirmed the god directed. Mighty sovereigns were among the number of these patients.
The last king, Attalus, was noted for his tyranny and singularity. He obtained the
name of Philometor, for his love to his mother, and became a brass-founder, in order to
cast for himself a statue of her. While engaged in his forge, working as a common
artisan, on a hot day, he was seized with a fever, of which he died. His will was
another mark of singularity: it consisted of one line—" Let the Roman people inherit
all I possess." The Romans were charged with forging this will, and poisoning the |
