614. TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
I was exceedingly angry, but weak in health and fpirits ; 
befides, I defpifed the Imam heartily, and was determined 
to be filent.« But dire@ly addreffing himfelf to me, which 
he hitherto had not done, “ I wonder, fays he, how a Kafr 
like you, a man of no more worth than the duft under a 
muffulman’s feet, fhould dare to wear a white turban, 
which none are permitted to do but true believers, and men 
of confideration in learning, or in the law!” I could hold 
no longer. “ Kafr! faid I, do you call me? You are a Kafr 
yourfelf. I worfhip God as you do, and Jefus Chrift, whom 
Mahomet calls Rouch Ullah, the Spirit of God. Kafrs worfhip 
flones and trees, are ill-bred, and rude in manners, fuch as 
you are. Sir, faid 1 tothe Aga, I demand of youif the grand 
fignior, whofe firman you have in your hand, when wri- 
‘ting of me, calls me Kafr? Does Ali, Bey, and the Porte of Ja- 
nizaries, ufe fuch opprobrious expreffions? If they do not, you 
fuffer me to be affronted in contempt of their orders, in a 
- fortrefs which you command in the grand fignior’s name, 
which is not to your credit either as a muffulman or a fol- 
dier.”—“ He is right,” fays an old man, who feemed to be a 
fecretary. “ Moullah, fays the Aga,I did not expec this 
from you ; I did not think you could be fo abfurd as to afk 
any man, returning from fo dangerous a journey as his, 
the reafon of the colour of his turban.”—“ I do not refer 
that to his difcretion, faid I, there is my firman; I infift up- 
on its being read at the divan, and I will afterwards drefs 
my head and my body in any colour that is permitted me 
therein, and that I know is every fort of colour*, and I 
infift that my firman may be read in the Divan.” 
ne - MouvuLLag, 
* It is always the part of a firman from the Porte, that the bearer is at liberty to wear 
what colour, drefs, or arms he pleafes. 
