62 Journal of Mr. Burckhardt's 



Ismaylis, men of property, who come from Surat, but whose 

 country is in the interior of the Peninsula. They sell here co- 

 rallines, false pearls, China ware, Sfc. It is well known that they 

 are no true Mahommedans, although they are very strict in the 

 performance of prayers and religious rites, and it is generally 

 supposed that they are Pagans. They live altogether in a large 

 house, where they admit no other lodgers, never bringing 

 any females with them, although twenty or thirty arrive here 

 every year ; and many have been known to live here for ten 

 years without marrying, which is much against the customs of 

 this country. During my stay in the mountains on the North of 

 Mount Libanus in Syria, I got acquainted with the sect of Syrian 

 Ismayles, who likewise profess Mahommedanism, but are well 

 known to be Pagans, and I heard it once said en passant in an 

 evening Society of Christians at Hamah, that the Ismayles have 

 their principal temple in the East Indies, and send every year by 

 way of Baghdad one of their followers with presents to that holy 

 shrine. The Syrian Ismayles practise yearly feasts of Venus, 

 when they mix in nocturnal embraces with their nearest friends, 

 parents, and relations. 



I should be much obliged to you if you would have the kind- 

 ness, upon your arrival in India, to make some inquiries as to 

 the seat and religion of these Ismayles, and whether it is known 

 there that they are in relationship with their Syrian brethren. 

 An Indian Ismalee might perhaps be prevailed on to make 

 some disclosures to an Englishman, which a Syrian Ismaylee 

 would never make to an inhabitant of his country ; and to get 

 some true information respecting this singular sect would be 

 extremely interesting. 



This is perhaps the last letter you will ever receive dated from 

 Mekke, and I ought therefore to make it a long one, but I 

 have really nothing to tell you of immediate interest, and the 

 boy comes this moment to ask for the letter. Therefore, fare- 

 well, my dear Sir ; may your hopes be realized, may your good 

 fortune enable you to provide for your dear family in Indian 

 climes, and may we once meet again both satisfied with the result 



