I perceived that the ladies with the finest skins and most delicate shapes had the greatest share of my admiration, though their faces were sometimes less beautiful than those of their companions.

To tell you the truth, I had wickedness enough to wish secretly that Mr.
Jervas[3] could have been there invisible.

I fancy it would have very much improved his art, to see so many fine women naked, in different postures, some in conversation, some working, others drinking coffee or sherbet, and many negligently lying on their cushions, while their slaves (generally pretty girls of seventeen or eighteen) were employed in braiding their hair in several pretty fancies.

In short, it is the women's coffee-house, where all the news of the town is told, scandal invented, &c .-- They generally take this diversion once a-week, and stay there at least four or five hours without getting cold by immediate coming out of the hot bath into the cold room, which was very surprising to me.

The lady that seemed the most considerable among them, entreated me to sit by her, and would fain have undressed me for the bath.