58 
recited different prayers in a loud voice, which we re- 
peated altogether, word for word, in the same tone. I 
was supported by two persons, on account of my ex- 
treme weakness. 
In this manner we arrived at the temple, making a 
tour by the principal street- to enter at the Beb-es- 
selem, or Gate of Health, which they look upon as a 
happy auspice. After having taken off our sandals we 
entered in at this blessed gate, which is placed near 
the northern angle of the temple. We had already 
traversed the portal or gallery, and were upon the point 
of entering the great space where the house of God, 
or El Kaaba, is situated, when our guide arrested our 
steps, and, pointing with his finger towards it, said 
with emphasis, " Schouf, schouf, el beit Allah el 
Haram." " Look, look, the house of God, the pro- 
hibited." The crowd that surrounded me; the portico 
of columns half hid from view; the immense size of 
the temple; the Kaaba, or house of God, covered with 
the black cloth from top to bottom, and surrounded 
with a circle of lamps or lanterns; the hour; the silence 
of the night; and this man speaking in a solemn tone, 
as if he had been inspired; all served to form an im- 
posing picture, which will never be effaced from my 
memory. 
We entered into the court by a path a foot high, 
bordering diagonally upon the northern angle of the 
Kaaba, which is nearly in the centre of the temple. 
Before we arrived at it, we passed under a sort of 
isolated triumphal arch, called Beb-es-selem, like the 
gate by which we had entered. Being arrived at the 
house of God, we repeated a little prayer, kissed the 
sacred black stone brought by the angel Gabriel, named 
Hajera el Assouad, or the heavenly stone; and, having 
