the thoroughfares, all more or less apparently bent on pleasure,
to judge from their animated countenances and frequent bursts of
gay laughter.

The men were for the most part arrayed like himself,--though here
and there he met some few whose garments were of soft silk instead
of linen, who wore gold belts in place of silver, and who carried
their daggers in sheaths that were literally encrusted all over
with flashing jewels.

As he advanced more into the city's centre, the crowds increased,
--so much so that the noise of traffic and clatter of tongues
became quite deafening to his ears. Richly ornamented chariots
drawn by spirited horses, and driven by personages whose attire
seemed to be a positive blaze of gold and gems, rolled past in a
continuous procession,--fruit-sellers, carrying their lovely
luscious merchandise in huge gilded moss-wreathed baskets, stood
at almost every corner,--flower-girls, fair as flowers, bore aloft
in their gracefully upraised arms wide wicker trays, overflowing
with odorous blossoms tied into clusters and wreaths,--and there
were countless numbers of curious little open square carts to
which mules, wearing collars of bells, were harnessed, the tinkle-
tinkle of their constant passage through the throng making
incessant merry music. These vehicles bore the names of traders,--
purveyors in wine and dealers in all sorts of provisions,--but
with the exception of such necessary business caterers, the
streets were full of elegant loungers of both sexes, who seemed to
have nothing whatever to do but amuse themselves.

The women were especially noticeable for their lazy grace of