The Sultan and His PeopleOscanyan, C. (Christopher)
History
The Sultan and His People
Oscanyan, C. (Christopher)
Turkey -- Description and travel; Turkey -- Social life and customs
A peculiar species of clay was discovered in Turkey so remarkably
argillaceous as to supersede all other substances for the construction
of pipe-bowls; and these Oriental and philosophic smokers have
displayed their wisdom and science in the peculiar form into which
they have molded them. The form of a lüllé, or Turkish pipe-bowl,
is that of an inverted cone, the base of which, when filled with
tobacco, forms the surface. The design of this form is to present a
greater surface of exposure to the atmosphere, and to bring a smaller
body of tobacco in contact with the bowl, which is made as thin and
delicate as the nature of the material will permit, so as to possess
the least quantity of body, and thus less power of retaining heat. The
pipe should be lighted in the centre of the bowl, not with a piece
of paper, which would scorch the surface of the tobacco, but with a
small piece of spunk. At each inhalation the ignited circle enlarges
and extends toward the edge of the bowl, and as the combustion takes
place proportionally downward, it is evident that all the tobacco is
consumed without the assistance of fingering it, as the Germans are
in the habit of doing.
The stem is always of wood, but great care is used in its
selection. Jasmine is cultivated expressly for pipe-stems,
and carefully trained so as to increase in length and uniform
thickness. Cherry-stems are much prized and more durable than the
jasmine, and there is a species of wild fruit tree called germeshek,
peculiar to Turkey, remarkably suited for the use of tobacco, and very
generally used. These pipe-stems are never less than four or five feet
long, and perfectly straight. The object gained by the length is that
the smoke arrives at the lips comparatively cool, having deposited its
more solid particles in the stem, which being perfectly straight is
easily cleansed; for it is an essential point that the pipe should,
contrary to German philosophy, be kept pure. Still another advantage
gained by the length is that the pipe may be easily disposed of for
the moment, resting by the side or against a table without deranging
the tobacco in the bowl, which should always have a small brass tray
beneath it to protect the floor from any accident.
Certainly, then, a Turkish chibouk is unequalled as an implement for
smoking. The pure amber mouthpiece often glittering with brilliants,
the long stem, one unbroken length of slender jasmine, and the delicate
and beautifully-gilded bowl, seem to constitute the very essence of
refinement in the luxury of smoking; and no wonder that the Osmanlis
recline for hours on their silken cushions, and puff and puff again
"ambrosial gales."
One reason of the luxury displayed in the Turkish pipe is, that the
chibouk is an indispensable appendage of hospitality, always presented
to the guests, and constantly changed and replaced by another, each
successive pipe exceeding its predecessor in beauty and value, until
the visit is terminated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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