The following extract is taken from Mr. Browne's MS. remains: on his
journey across Asia Minor he thus describes a very remarkable people:
"In my visits to the Turkman tents, I remarked a strong contrast
between their habits and those of the Bedouin Arabs. With the
latter, the rights of hospitality are inviolable; and while the host
possesses a cake of bread, he feels it a duty to furnish half of
it to his guest; the Turkman offers nothing spontaneously, and if
he furnish a little milk or butter, it is at an exorbitant price.
With him it is a matter of calculation, whether the compendious
profit of a single act of plunder, or the more ignoble system of
receiving presents from the caravans for their secure passage, be
most advantageous. The Arab values himself on the _hasb we nasb_,
that is, his ancient pedigree; the Turkman, on his personal prowess.
With the former, civility requires that salutations be protracted to
satiety; the latter scarcely replies to a _Salam aleikum_.
"The muleteers, who had preferred this devious path to the high
road, to avoid the dellis, were now alarmed at the frequent visits
of the Turkmans. They described me to them as an officer of Chappan
Oglou's retinue, employed to communicate with the English fleet
on the coast; an explanation which appeared to satisfy them; and
fortunately I was able to support that character. It is to be
observed that Chappan Oglou has a large military force at his
disposal, and administers justice with a rod of iron. His vengeance
pursues, on eagle-wing, the slightest transgression against his
authority. Our precautions at night were redoubled; and I divided
the time into two watches, which I ordered my servant to share with
me; but the disposition to sleep having speedily got the better of
his vigilance, a pipe, although carefully placed under the carpet
on which I myself slept, was stolen unperceived before morning.
"The dress of the Turkmans consists of a large striped and fringed
turban, fastened in a manner peculiar to themselves; or sometimes
of a simple high-crowned cap of white felt. A vest, usually
white, is thrown over the shirt; the Agas superadd one of cloth;
and in general, and in proportion to their rank and wealth, they
approximate to the dress of the capital. But the common people wear
a short jacket of various colours. A cincture is indispensably
required, in which are fixed an enormous yatagan, and a pistol.
Many of them wear half boots, red or yellow, laced to the leg: the
dress of the women is a coloured vest, and a piece of white cotton
cloth on the head, covering part of the face. They are masculine
and active, performing all the harder kinds of labour required by
the family. Their features are good, but not pleasing. The men are
generally muscular, and well-proportioned; tall, straight, and
active. Their teeth are white and regular; their eyes are often
extremely piercing; and there is an air of uncommon boldness in
their countenances and mode of address. Their complexions are
clear, but sun-burnt. In a word, they have every thing that denotes
exhaustless health and vigour of body. A general resemblance is
visible between them and the populace of Constantinople; but the
latter appear effeminate by the comparison. Every action and every
motion of the Turkmans is marked by dignity and grace. Their
language is clear and sonorous, but less soft than that of the
capital; expressing, as may be conceived, no abstract ideas, for
which the Turkish is indebted to the Arabic alone; but fitted to
paint the stronger passions, and to express, in the most forcible
and laconic terms, the mandates of authority. Their riches consist
of cattle, horses, arms, and various habiliments. How lamentable
to think, that with persons so interesting, and a character so
energetic, they unite such confirmed habits of idleness, violence,
and treachery! From the rising of the sun till his disappearance,
the males are employed only in smoking, conversing, inspecting their
cattle, or visiting their acquaintance. They watch at night for the
purpose of plunder, which among them is honourable, in proportion to
the ingenuity of the contrivance, or the audacity of the execution.
Their families are generally small, and there seems reason to
believe that their numbers are not increasing."