The Vendor, Perceiving That The Unfolded Merchandise Has
Caught The Eye Of A Possible Purchaser, Commences His Opening
Speech.
He covers his bristling broadcloths and his meagre silks
with the golden broidery of Oriental praises, and as he
Talks,
along with the slow and graceful waving of his arms, he lifts his
undulating periods, upholds and poises them well, till they have
gathered their weight and their strength, and then hurls them
bodily forward with grave, momentous swing. The possible purchaser
listens to the whole speech with deep and serious attention; but
when it is over HIS turn arrives. He elaborately endeavours to
show why he ought not to buy the things at a price twenty times
larger than their value. Bystanders attracted to the debate take a
part in it as independent members; the vendor is heard in reply,
and coming down with his price, furnishes the materials for a new
debate. Sometimes, however, the dealer, if he is a very pious
Mussulman, and sufficiently rich to hold back his ware, will take a
more dignified part, maintaining a kind of judicial gravity, and
receiving the applicants who come to his stall as if they were
rather suitors than customers. He will quietly hear to the end
some long speech that concludes with an offer, and will answer it
all with the one monosyllable "Yok," which means distinctly "No."
I caught one glimpse of the old heathen world. My habits for
studying military subjects had been hardening my heart against
poetry; for ever staring at the flames of battle, I had blinded
myself to the lesser and finer lights that are shed from the
imaginations of men.
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