FIT FOR THE HAREM
PLUMP AND HAIRLESS
In 1717, Lady Mary Montagu, the English ambassador's wife, 
visited the women's baths in Istanbul, and was delighted
"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 cushions, while their slaves
(generally pretty girls of seventeen or eighteen) were employed
in braiding their hair."
Lady Mary added: "I was here convinced of the truth of a reflection I have often
made that if it was the fashion to go naked, the face
would be hardly observed."