200 HEJAZ. 



forget that these precepts were given for rules of 

 conduct, and not for mere repetition. They excuse 

 themselves from the duty of almsgiving, by saying 

 that Providence ordained them to receive charity, 

 not to bestow it ; and instead of attending the Fri- 

 daj^'s prayers, as every Moslem is bound to do, the 

 mosque is filled chiefly with strangers, while the in- 

 habitants are seen smoking in their shops. The 

 law prohibiting wine is evaded, so as to become al- 

 most a dead letter. Intoxicating liquors are sold at 

 the very gates of the temple ; neither the sanctity 

 of the place nor the solemn injunctions of the Koran 

 can deter them from indulging in all tlie excesses 

 which are the usual consequences of drunkenness. 

 The Indian fleet imports large quantities of raki in 

 barrels ; and when mixed with sugar and an extract 

 of cinnamon, it is sold under the name of cinnamon- 

 water. The rich merchants, ulemas, and grandees 

 are in the habit of drinking this liquor, which they 

 persuade themselves is neither wine nor brandy, and 

 therefore not prohibited by the law. The less 

 wealthy inhabitants, who cannot purchase so dear a 

 commodity, use a fermented liquor made of raisins, 

 while the lower classes drink bouza. Tobacco, 

 hashish, and other intoxicating substances are 

 openly smoked, and cards played in almost every 

 coffee-house. 



The inhabitants of IMecca have but two kinds of 

 employment — trade and the service of the Beitullah. 

 Many of the latter calling, which may be said to in- 

 clude one-half of the population, engage privately in 

 commercial afl"airs ; but the greater proportion have 

 no other support than their wages, or what they 

 can extort from the charity of pilgrims. The most 

 impudent, idle, and worthless individuals adopt the 

 profession of guides ; and as there is no want of 

 these qualities, nor of a sufficient demand for their 

 services, this class of rogues is very numerous. 

 They besiege strangers with their importunities 



