264 LIFE OF MOHAMMED. 



■where he had breathed his last ; and to this day the 

 innumerable pilgrims of Mecca often turn aside from 

 the road, to bow in voluntary devotion before the 

 simple tomb of the Prophet. The multifarious 

 duties of the hajji Avho performs this expedition — 

 his ejaculations on perceiving the distant trees and 

 spires — his alms, perfumes, and prostrations — his 

 prayers and postures within the sacred enclosure of 

 the mosque where the sepulchre stands, are copi- 

 ously described by the Mussulman doctors. 



For the personal appearance and private life of the 

 apostle, we must rely on the Arabian writers, who 

 dwell with fond aiid proud satisfaction on the graces 

 and intellectual gifts with which nature had endowed 

 him. He was of a middle stature, of a clear fair 

 skin, and ruddy complexion. His head and features, 

 though large, were well proportioned ; he had a 

 prominent forehead, large dark-brown (Tyes, and 

 aquiline nose, and a thick bushy beard. His mouth, 

 though rather wide, was handsomely formed, and 

 adorned with teeth v/nite as pearls, the upper row 

 not closely set, but in regular order ; Avhich appeared 

 when he smiled, and gave an agreeable expression 

 to his countenance. He had a quick ear, and a fine 

 sonorous voice. His dark eyebrows approached 

 each other without meeting. His hair fell partly in 

 ringlets about his temples, and partly hung down be- 

 tween his shoulders ; to prevent whiteness, the sup- 

 posed effect of Satanic influence, he stained it, as 

 the Arabs often do still, of a shining reddish colour. 

 His frame was muscular and compact, robust rather 

 than corpulent. When he walked he carried a staff, 

 in imitation of the other prophets, and had a singu- 

 lar affectation of being thought to resemble Abra-« 

 ham. The assertion of the Greeks and Christians 

 that he was subject to epilepsy must be ascribed to 

 ignorance or malice. 



The flattery or the superstitious veneration of his 

 followers has created several attributes that are 



