74 
WESTERN MOSQUE. 
with an opening of a foot and a half. They commence about 
eighteen inches above the ground. The pillars supporting 
the arcades in front, have some ornaments of the same mate- 
rial tolerably executed, but very much defaced. A kind of 
niche, in the centre of the eastern wall, is destined for 
the marabout who officiates at prayers. In another similar 
niche there is a large wooden pulpit, into which the priest 
ascends by two or three steps, on the days when he reads 
certain passages of the Koran. The floor of the mosque 
was covered with mats, on which the people kneel during 
prayers. 
Conceiving that the description alone would not convey 
an adequate idea of the construction of this mosque, 1 
ventured to make a sketch of it, as well as of the town ; 
both would, I thought, convey a better idea than words alone 
of the objects with which I wish to make the reader ac- 
quainted*. 
To make my sketch of the mosque, I sat down in the 
street in front of it, and, covering myself in my large wrap- 
per which I folded over my knees, I held in my hand a sheet 
of white paper close to a leaf of the Koran. When I per- 
ceived any one approaching, I hid my drawing, and looking 
at the leaf of the Koran I appeared to be absorbed in devotion. 
The passers-by, far from suspecting me, regarded me as 
one of the elect, and applauded my zealf. 
The eastern mosque is much smaller than that on the 
western side. It is surmounted by a square tower, similar 
in form and dimensions to that of the western mosque. 
The walls are entirely stripped of their parget. Many but- 
tresses have been erected to support the building. It has 
three arcaded avenues. The galleries are six feet wide and 
thirty feet long. 
* See plates 4 and 5. 
t See plate 3. 
