Reading an Ottoman ambassador's account of France from 1721. Most charming thing so far is pages upon pages of wonderment at the Canal du Midi.
Describes in great detail how locks work, that it crossed another river by bridge, and especially how it went through a mountain.
Describes in great detail how locks work, that it crossed another river by bridge, and especially how it went through a mountain.
"It deserves to be numbered among the wonders of the world, and one must have seen it to write and speak of it effectively"
Though his passage down the canal was marred by brutality: people were crowding to get a glimpse of him and were pushing soldiers trying to keep order almost into the canal. One soldier killed a man with his bayonet, then killed the victim's brother when he rushed in to protest.
Seems to be very impressed with the Swiss Guards. Also Les Invalides, where he noted the spring-wheel that turned a spit with a whole sheep.
Also very impressed with the organ at the church: "I had heard of this instrument, but I had never seen one ... it is very curious."
Also very impressed with the organ at the church: "I had heard of this instrument, but I had never seen one ... it is very curious."
(And yes, I'm making special note of what he thinks about science, technology, and economic conditions.)
I think I'm translating this correctly, but his semi-private meeting with the 11-year-old Louis XV is either cute or v strange. Young Louis starts by examining the Ottoman clothes and dagger, after which his governor gloats at the young boy's proportionate size, and invites the
ambassador to have a stroke of the king's hair, which is apparently down to his belt. Then the king's governor has the king walk about so the ambassador can marvel at his "majestic gait like a partridge"[?!], as well as run around a bit to show off his majestic bearing.
