88 
ed in silver, and lined with white silk. Every Sultan 
of Constantinople is obliged to send a new one when 
he mounts the throne; and this is the only occasion on 
which it is every changed. 
As the columns were beginning to decay at the bot- 
tom, which was not covered with the rich cloth, they 
have covered them with bands of wood, of one or two 
inches in breadth, which are placed perpendicularly 
by the side of each other, and fastened by bronze nails 
gilded. 
The lower part of the walls, which is left also un- 
covered, is inlaid with fine marbles, some plain, others 
with flowers, arebesque in relief, or inscriptions. The 
floor is paved also with the finest marble. There are 
bars that go from one column to the other, and from 
both columns to the wall, which are said to be of sil- 
ver, and an infinite number of gold lamps, suspended 
one over another. 
At the northern angle of the hall is a staircase, by 
which persons ascend upon the roof: it is covered by 
a partition, the door of which is shut. 
The roof is flat above, and has only one very large 
gutter upon the north-west side, by which the rain 
runs off" into the stones of Ismail: it is said to be of 
gold; it appeared to me, however, to be only of gilt 
bronze. 
It has been already remarked, that the house of God 
is entirely covered on the outside with a large black 
cloth, called Tob el Kaaba, or the Shirt of the Kaaba, 
suspended from the terrace, and fastened below by 
means of strings, which answer to the bronze rings 
that are fixed in the base. 
There is a new one brought every year from Cairo, 
as also a curtain to cover the door, which is truly 
