6i4 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



I WAS exceedingly angry, but weak in health and fpirits ; 

 befides, I defpifed the hnam heartily, and was determined 

 to be filent. But diredly addreffing himfelf to me, which 

 he hitherto had not done, " I wonder, fays he, how a Kafr 

 like you, a man of no more worth than the duft under a 

 niuiralman's feet, fhould dare to wear a white turban, 

 which none are permitted to do but true believers, and men 

 of confideration in learning, or in the law !" I could hold 

 no longer. " Kafr ! faid I, do you call me ? You are a Kafr 

 yourfelf. I worfliip God as you do, and Jefus Chrift, whom 

 Mahomet calls Rouch Ullah,the Spirit of God. Kafrs worfliip 

 ftofies and trees, are ill-bred, and rude in manners, fuch as 

 you are. Sir, faid I to the Aga, I demand of you if the grand 

 fignior, whofe firman you have in your hand, when wri- 

 ting of me, calls mie Kafr ? Does Ali Bey, and the Porte of Ja- 

 nizaries, ufe fuch opprobrious expreflions? If they do not, you 

 fuffer me to be affronted in contempt of their orders, in a 

 fortrefs which you command in the grand fignior's name, 

 which is not to your credit either as a muflulman or a fol- 

 dier." — " He is right," fays an old man, who feemed to be a 

 fecretary. " MouUah, fays the Aga, I did not expecft this 

 from you ; T did not think you could be i'o abfurd as to afk 

 any man, returning from fo dangerous a journey as his, 

 the reafon of the colour of his tvu-ban." — " I do not refer 

 that to his difcretion, faid I, there is my firman ; I inlift up- 

 on its being read at the divan, and I will afterwards drcfs 

 my head and my body in any colour that is permitted me 

 therein, and that I know is every fort of colour*, and I 

 infill, that my firman may be read in the Divan." 



MOULLAH, 



* It is always the part of a firman from the Pcrte, that the bearer is at liberty to wear 

 ■what colour, drefs, or arms he pleafcs. 



