THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 211 



or banner to their respective companies. This ap- 

 pendage is mintftely described by Maundrell and 

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

 shape 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. 1274) by the Sultan of Egypt. 

 Since that time the different Mussulman 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 mahmal (of Damascus) is a large pavilion of black 

 silk, pitched upon the back of a very great camel, and spreading 

 Its curtains all round about the beast down to tlie ground. This 

 Hcamel wants 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." — MaundrelVs 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, kiUing of game, or 

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

 regarded ; criminals are slain without scruple, — persons have 

 oeen assassmated even undej the wails of the Kaaba, -aiid bat 



