BED

Mattre es, or thick cotton quilts folded, were used for sleeping upon. These were laid upon the duan, or divan, a part of the room elevated above the level of the rest, covered with a carpet in winter, and a fine mat in summer. (See Accubation and Banquets .) A divan cushion serves for a pillow and bolster. They do not keep their beds made; the mattre es are rolled up, carried away, and placed in a cupboard till they are wanted at night. And hence the propriety of our Lord’s addre to the paralytic, “Arise, take up thy bed,” or mattre , “and walk,” Matt. ix, 6. The duan on which these mattre es are placed, is at the end of the chamber, and has an ascent of several steps. Hence Hezekiah is said to turn his face to the wall when he prayed, that is, from his attendants. In the day the duan was used as a seat, and the place of honour was the corner, Amos iii, 12.