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wash the Kaaba; and the Scherif's son, who had held 
the key, also sent me a small pitcher full, as also a 
horn of sandal wood paste, one containing other aro- 
matics, a wax taper, and two brooms; and I made 
returns for all these favours in the best manner I 
could. 
On Tuesday the 3d of February, 25th of the month 
Doulkaada, they cut that part of the black cloth that 
surrounded the door and the bottom of the build- 
ing, which completed the ceremony, which is called 
Iaharmo el Beit Allah, or The Purification of the House 
of God. 
During this operation, all the assistants of the tem- 
ple tried to obtain some bits of this cloth, which they 
divided into smaller ones, to make a sort of relic to 
give to the pilgrims as a present, w r ho are expected to 
return the favour by some gratification. I received so 
much of it, that God be thanked. 
On the same day a part of the army of the Wehhabites 
entered Mecca to fulfil the duties of pilgrimage, and 
to take possession of this holy city. It was by chance 
I saw them enter. 
I was in the principal street, about nine o'clock, 
when I saw a crowd of men coming; but what men! 
We must imagine a crowd of individuals, thronged 
together, without any other covering than a small piece 
of cloth round their waist, except some few who had a 
napkin placed upon the left shoulder, that passed under 
the right arm, being naked in every other respect, 
with their matchlocks upon their shoulders, and their 
khanjears or large knives hung to their girdles. 
All the people fled at the sight of this torrent of men, 
and left them the whole street to themselves. I deter- 
mined to keep my post, not being in the least alarmed; 
