THE MOIIAMMKDAN I'lLGRiMAGE. 211 



or banner to their respective companies. This ap- 

 pendage is minutely described by Maundrell and 

 D'Ohsson as a high hollow wooden frame, in the 

 sliape of a cone, having a pyramidal top covered 

 with fine silk brocade, and adorned with ostrich-fea- 

 thers. A small book of prayers and charms is 

 placed in the middle, wrapped up in a piece of silk. 

 It was not used by the caliphs, having been first 

 introduced (A. D. 127-4) by the Sultan of Eg>-pt. 

 Since that time the different INIussulman sovereigns 

 have considered' the mahmal as a privilege, and a 

 badge of their own royalty.* On the return of the 

 caravans, the sacred camel, which is never after 

 employed in labour, and the book of prayers, are 

 objects of great veneration among the lower class, 

 or such as have not been at Mecca ; men and women 

 flock in crowds to kiss it, and obtain a blessing by 

 rubbing their foreheads upon it. 



The awful sanctity of Mecca and its territory 

 renders it necessary that every traveller, whether 

 on a religious visit or not, shall undergo a certain 

 transformation in dress the moment he enters the 

 Belled el Haram^ or Holy Land of Islam. f From 



* " The mahinal (of Damascus) is a large pavilion of black 

 fiilk, pitched upon the back of a very great came!, and spreading 

 us curtains all round about the beast down to the ground. This 

 •camel w^ants not also his ornaments of large ropes of beads, fish- 

 shells, fox-tails, and other such fantastic finery, hanged upon 

 his head, neck, and legs. All this is designed for the Alcoran, 

 which thus rides in state both to and from Mecca, and is accom- 

 panied with a rich new carpet sent every year by the grand 

 seignior for the covering of Mahomet's tomb, — having the old 

 one brought back in return for it, which is esteemed of an ines- 

 timable value, after having been so long next neighbour to the 

 Prophet's rotten bones." — MmmdrelVs Travels. 



t The Belled el Haram is properly the sacred district round 

 Mecca, which has the privileges of a sanctuary or asylum, — the 

 law having forbidden the shedding of blood, killing of game, or 

 cutting of trees within it. This sanctity, however, is but little 

 regarded ; criminals are slain without scruple, — persons have 

 been asjfossinated evea undei the walls of the Kaaba, — land bat- 



