Mahomedans, in opulent circumstances, and especially those of rank, generally have baths lined with marble, or with masonry, in some private apartments, to which their families can have immediate access. These baths are sometimes furnished with the means of having water heated to any temperature; as is invariably the case with all the public baths to be seen at Calcutta, and the several great cities throughout the East. These baths, which are called _hummums_, (whence we have derived the term,) are extremely convenient; and, if properly used, no less conducive to health. It is necessary, after quitting them, to be extremely cautious in allowing access to the atmospheric temperature, on account of the perfect cleansing given to the skin, by the attendants, who by means of _hautties_, (a kind of glove, made of hair, or very coarse wool,) bring off such a quantity of scurf as astonishes those who consider themselves to be very cleanly in their persons. These men cause every joint in the bather’s whole frame to crack; thereby giving, sometimes, no inconsiderable pain: to this, however, the natives are so fully accustomed, as to consider it absolutely a luxury. Although the _hummums_ are much frequented by Mahomedans, yet, I believe, they are chiefly supported by the resort of Armenians, Greeks, Portugueze, and English gentlemen. The waters throughout the East are infested by alligators of an enormous size; of which, some are most sanguinary depredators. It often happens that a bather is carried off daily from a _ghaut_, perhaps for a fortnight in succession; when the evil is put a stop to by some lucky shot, which either kills the alligator, or causes him to quit the vicinity. Such is the faith entertained by all the natives, whether Mussulmans or Hindus, regarding predestination, that, although, on such occasions, they proceed to the _ghaut_ with obvious apprehension, they allow no intermission to take place in the ablutionary duties, on account of those depredations they may have daily witnessed for some time before. This species of absurdity may be discovered, in a thousand shapes, in the conduct of predestinarians, who affect to believe in that previous arrangement which renders all human precaution unavailing. These persons, at the same time, shew great anxiety to have the alligator killed; consequently, may be fairly considered as aiming to subvert the ordinations of fate!