THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 249 



Pitts, " enough to pierce one's heart, to behold so 

 many in their garments of humility and mortifica- 

 tion, with their naked heads, and cheeks watered 

 with tears -, and to hear their grievous sighs and sobs, 

 begging earnestly for the remission of their sins." 

 Many of the poor pilgrims are in an ecstasy, and be- 

 lieve themselves in actual possession of paradise. 

 " It is here," observes Ali Bey, " that the grand 

 spectacle of the Mussulman pilgrimage must be 

 seen. An innumerable crowd of men from all na- 

 tions, and of all colours, coming from the extremi- 

 ties of the earth, through a thousand dangers, and 

 encountering fatigues of every description, to adore 

 together the same Deity ! The native of Circassia 

 presents his hand in a friendly manner to the Ethio- 

 pian, or the negro of Guinea ; the Indian and tire 

 Persian embrace the inhabitants of Barbary and 

 Morocco ; all looking upon each other as brothers, 

 or individuals of the same family united by the 

 bonds of religion, and the greater part speaking or 

 understanding more or less the same language. 

 What a curb to sin," adds this zealous Mussulman, 

 " what an encouragement to virtue ! but what a 

 misfortune, that with all these advantages we should 

 not be better than the Calvinists !" 



By the time the cadi had finished his discourse 

 the greater part of the audience seemed to be wearied. 

 The sun was descending behind the western moun- 

 tains as he shut the book and pronounced the last 

 greeting of " Lebeik." Instantly the crowds pre- 

 pared to quit Arafat on their return ; those behind 

 hurrying and pressing on those before ; so that with 

 many it is a trial of strength and speed. Formerly 

 bloody affrays took place almost every year ; each 



