As for me, I do not suppose you imagine that, like the Knight Tannhauser

on the Venusberg, I am continually wasting my spirit and my strength

over what Heine calls "the sweets and dainties of love;" or that the

philtres of Circe have transformed me into a hog like the companions of

Ulysses.--Go gently, my dear fellow! I am a representative of the

learned cohort, please to remember! I keep a careful diary of my

observations, from which I intend to draw up a report for the Academy.

Like those bold investigators of pathological science who inoculate

themselves with a deadly virus in order to study its effects upon

themselves, I, a serious analytical student, am devoting myself to a

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course of experiments in pure sensualism, to the sole profit of

Science. Without restrictions, but in full consciousness of the high

mission which I have undertaken; without cheating myself with too small

a dose of the intoxicating draught, I act like an honest Epicurean. I

take of the voluptuous delights of my harem as large a dose as an

intelligent and refined student of nature ought to require, but without

imprudently overstraining the springs of sensation. Armed with the

dexterity of superior wisdom, I, floating on this Oriental stream of

Love, know how to remain faithful to my charge, by avoiding the rocks of

satiety and the shipwreck of illusions.

Every day then, about three o'clock, after having devoted the morning to

my business affairs or to my "Essays on Psychology," I go to El-Nouzha,

and stay there usually until the middle of the night. However, I

sometimes go there of a morning, for a bath; I am teaching my houris to

swim. I must tell you that in this matter, indispensable for the comfort

of the sultanas, Barbassou-Pasha designed a marvel. In the middle of an

island in the lake (which is taken from the delightful garden of

See-ma-Kouang, the famous Chinese poet), picture to yourself a great

marble basin surrounded by a circular arcade, a sort of atrium open to

the sky. Under a colonnade and in its cool shade, a fine Manilla mat

covers the flag-stones. The base of the inner walls is enlivened with

frescoes, after Pompeian and Herculanean models. Round the white pillars

cling myrtles and climbing roses, reaching up to the terrace ornamented

with vases and statues, which stand out in relief against a mass of

purple drapery. Here are set capacious divans in leather, hammocks,

carpets, and cushions to recline upon. Such is the aspect of this

enchanting place. On many a hot morning we have breakfasted there, and

it is from there that I write to you to-day, dressed in a Persian robe

with wide sleeves, while around me sports my harem; affording me,

therefore, an excellent excuse for at once proceeding to sketch the

portraits of my almées.




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