61 
a loud voice as they proceed, and short ones at the 
two sacred places, which constitute the seven journeys 
between the two hills. 
These being completed, there are a number of bar- 
bers in waiting to shave the pilgrims' heads, which 
they do very quickly, at the same time saying prayers 
in a loud tone, which the former repeat after them 
word for word. This operation terminates the first cere- 
monies of the pilgrimage to Mecca. 
It is generally known that almost all Mussulmen let 
a tuft of hair grow upon the crown of their head. The 
reformer Abdouluehab declared this to be a sin; and 
as the Wehhabites govern the country, every body is 
obliged to shave his head. In consequence of this, my 
long tuft was swept away by the inexorable barber. 
The day beginning to dawn when I had finished 
these first ceremonies, they told me I might retire to 
take a little rest; but as the hour for morning prayer 
was not far distant, I preferred to return to the temple, 
notwithstanding my weakness, which was increased 
by fatigue; and I did not return home until six o'clock 
in the morning, after prayers. 
I went to the temple again at noon, to the public 
Friday prayer, after having a second time made the 
seven turns round the Kaaba, recited a particular 
prayer, and drank largely of the water of Zemzem. 
The next day, Saturday the 24th of January 1807, 
the 15th of the month Doulkaada, in the year 1221 of 
the Hegira, they opened the door of the Kaaba, which 
is shut the whole year, except three days; on the first of 
which, all the men who are at Mecca may go in and say 
their prayers. On the second and following day it is 
dedicated to the women, who go to pray; and the third, 
five days afterwards, is appropriated to washing and 
