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pillars. In the middle of this court is another fountain, 
with a grove on each side. 
From this court is the entrance to the principal body", 
of the mosque, which contains three immense naves 
from east to west, composed of arches lightly pointed, 
resting upon large columns and pillars; in each row there 
are forty- four columns, which are not exactly equal; 
these naves are nearly 400 feet long. 
In the middle of the central nave, which is the largest, 
are four enormous pillars, that support a large cupola 
of stone; the remainder of the mosque is roofed with 
timber. 
The naves are transverse, that is to say, their length 
is at right angles with the line that leads to the end of 
the mosque. 
In the middle of the end nave is a square place, en- 
closed with blinds, which are opened only during the 
hours of prayer. In this species of presbytery are the 
mehrel, the neonba, two small low tribunes, with large 
korans for the readers, and above them a choir for the 
singers. This place is particularly appropriated to the 
individuals of the Haneffi rite, which is that of the 
Turks. The floor is decorated with the finest carpets; 
the rest of the pavement is partly bare, and partly cover- 
ed with large carpets very much worn. Upon the right 
of the same nave is the mehereb, for the Irnaum of the 
Schaffi rite. 
There is a small wooden house upon the left of the 
central nave, adorned with blinds, gilding, ornaments 
of gold, and arabesque paintings; it encloses the sepul- 
chre of the prophet John the son of Zacharias. 
There are a number of iron and wooden frames in 
the form of cages suspended from all parts of the roof 
