MECCA. 181 



ing from 100 to 700 yards. The buildings cover a 

 space of about 1500 paces in length ; but the sub- 

 urbs, from one extreme to the other, extend to 

 nearly 3500. The mountains, enclosing the valley 

 and overhanging the town, rise from 200 to 500 feet 

 in height, rugged, and completely barren. Mecca 

 may be styled a handsome town ; its streets are in 

 ^•eneral broader than those of Eastern cities ; the 

 houses lofty, and built of stone, which, being of a 

 dark-gray colour, looks more agreeable than the 

 glaring white that offends the eye at Jidda and Mo- 

 cha. The numerous windows that face the streets 

 give them a lively and European aspect ; the greater 

 number project from the wall, and have their frame- 

 work elaborately carved, or painted with brilliant 

 colours. In front hang blinds made of slight reeds, 

 which exclude flies and gnats while they admit fresh 

 air. The doors are generally approached by a few 

 steps, and have small seats on each side. 



The city is open on every side ; though in former 

 times its extremities were protected by three walls, 

 ruins of which are still visible. Except four or five 

 large palaces belonging to the sheriff, two colleges, 

 and the great mosque, it cannot boast of any public 

 edifices ; and in this respect it is perhaps more defi- 

 cient than any other oriental town of the same size. 

 Nearly all the common houses are divided into 

 small apartments, for the accommodation of lodgers 

 during the pilgrimage. The terraces on the roof 

 are concealed from view by slight parapet walls; 

 for, throughout the East, it is reckoned discredit- 

 able for a man to appear where he might be accused 

 of looking at the women, who pass the greater part 

 of their time on the terraces, employed in hanging 

 up linen, drying corn, and various domestic occu- 

 pations. The streets, being sandy and mipaved, are 

 disagreeable in summer, and equally so from mud in 

 the rainy season, during which they are scarcely 

 passable ; and the lower parts of the town, where 



Vol. II.— Q 



