129 
instead of finding him relieved by it, as I expected, I 
perceived he had a terrible delirium. Not knowing to 
what cause to attribute this unexpected change, I learn- 
ed, in going to the temple in the evening, that during 
the night he had been carried to the well Zemzem, 
well bathed in cold water, and made to drink as much 
as he could swallow. I reprimanded the whole of my 
servants, who had concurred in this clandestine opera- 
tion, upon my return; and recommenced the cure of my 
hhazindar, who got well in the ordinary time. 
The celebrated balm of Mecca is not made there: it 
is, on the contrary, very scarce, and is only to be found 
in the country when the Bedouins, or other parties of 
Arabs, bring it by chance. A man, who appeared tolera- 
bly well informed, told me that it was obtained princi- 
pally from the territory of Medina; that it was called 
belsan; and that his countrymen did not know the tree 
which produced it by the name of Gilead. 
I remarked, that in all Arabia it is customary to make 
three perpendicular incisions upon each cheek; in con- 
sequence of which, the greater part of the men are 
adorned with this fine mark, that is to say, six large 
scars. Having enquired of many persons the object of 
this custom, I was informed by some that it was to 
make themselves bleed, and by others that it was a 
mark by which they declared themselves slaves of the 
house of God; but the truth is, that it is fashion which 
recommends this sacrifice; and they look upon it as a 
beauty, equal to the blue, red, and black paintings, or 
the nose-rings of the women, or their own knives, 
which impede all their movements. Such is man! 
Vol. IT. 
R 
