MECCA. 213 



calls it, the most remarkable building about the 

 mosque, and the only part which lays claim to high 

 antiquity. It is an oblong massive structure, the 

 sides and angles of which are unequal, so that its 

 plan forms a trapezium ; but the flat roof, the 

 size of the edifice, and the black cloth covering, 

 give it the appearance of a perfect cube. It is con- 

 structed of the gray Mecca stone, in large unpo- 

 lished blocks of different sizes, and remains as it 

 was when rebuilt in 1627. The length, according 

 to Burckhardt, is eighteen paces, the breadth four- 

 teen, and the height from thirty-five to forty feet. 

 The only entrance is by a door on the north side, 

 which is opened but two or three times in the year, 

 and elevated about seven feet above the ground. 

 In entering it a wooden staircase is used, mounted 

 on six large rollers of bronze, with hand-railings on 

 each side, and broad enough to admit four persons 

 abreast. It consists of ten steps, and is moved to 

 the wall when visiters ascend. The present door, 

 which was sent from Constantinople in 1633, is 

 wholly coated with silver, and fastened with an 

 enormous padlock of the same metal. It has seve- 

 ral gilt ornaments; and upon the threshold are 

 placed every night various small lighted wax-can- 

 dles, and perfuming-pans filled with musk, aloes- 

 wood, and other aromatics. 



On the western side projects the myzab or water- 

 spout, through which the rain collected on the roof 

 is discharged. It is about four feet in length, and 

 reported to be of pure gold, but is more probably of 

 gilt bronze. The water falls on two large slabs of 

 fine verde antique, which are said to mark the spot 

 where Ishmael and his mother Hagar were buried. 



