259 
is a staircase by which they descend into the subter- 
raneous vaults. 
The temple has four towers or minarets; one upon 
the south-west angle of the great court, a second in the 
middle of the western side, another upon the north- 
west angle, and a fourth upon the north-east angle of 
the same court. 
CHAPTER XVII. • 
Visit to the Temple. — -Journey to the Sepulchre of David and other tombs."*— 
Journey to the Mount of Olives. — To the Sepulchre of Abraham at Hebron. 
— To the Manger of Christ at Bethlehem. — To the Sepulchre of the Vu> 
gin. — To Calvary, and to the Rib of Christ. — Synagogue of the Jews.— Deserip* 
tion of Jerusalem. 
When a Mussulman pilgrim arrives at Jerusalem, 
he begins by visiting the Temple or El Haram, which 
has just been described; after which he goes to the 
other holy places in the following order: 
After the pilgrim has entered the Temjple, he is con- 
ducted immediately across the court towards the edifice, 
called the Throne of Solomon; where he says a prayer 
before the little frontispiece called Beb Arrahma, or 
The Gate of Mercy; after which he gives a small sum 
in alms to a person in waiting. This charity is destined 
.to the Scheik el Haram, or the Chief of the Temple. 
From thence the pilgrim goes to the place called El 
Sirat; he mounts the staircase, and says a prayer before 
the little frontispiece; after which the situation of the 
miraculous bridge is explained to him, at whicr^time 
he distributes other alms. 
