2-979-534 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Desert Route - Gateway in the Walls of Beyrout, 1857. Middle Eastern scene. 'Under the gateway, seated on that inseparable companion of his journeyings - his carpet - is a Turkish gentleman smoking his pipe of repose, and inhaling with gusto the cool zephyr that creeps ever and anon over his parched features. Near him is seated some young acquaintance, possibly a hummumgee, or bathman, belonging to one of the neighbouring vapour-baths. He has brought in a leaden girglet, or jar, containing cold water, from which they alternately wet their parched lips and then resume the pipe, passing it from mouth to mouth after well wiping the fine amber mouthpiece. The horse of the Turkish gentleman stands quietly dozing a little distance off, and ruminating over its evening provision of corn'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.