385 
well from which they draw up the water in silver 
buckets, which they drink in vases of the same metal, 
because it is believed to be blessed and even miracu- 
lous. 
I quitted this mosque after having left a considerable 
sum, and distributed other alms to a battalion of beg- 
gars who besiege the door; these people are not indeed 
very troublesome, for they are all registered, and their 
chief is the only person who asks for and receives the 
gifts of the faithful, which he divides among the others. 
I then went afterwards to visit the sepulchre of the 
mother of the unfortunate Selim the third; it is a small 
temple, incrusted with precious marbles, and adorned 
within and without with columns and mouldings in the 
most exquisite taste. There are large windows all round 
with gilded gratings; the front at the gate forms a hand- 
some vestibule supported with columns. 
I visited several other mosques celebrated by their 
names, but not at all remarkable for their architecture. 
Near these mosques are the sepulchres of celebrated 
personages, as well as libraries, schools, hospitals for 
the poor, khans for travellers, and other pious founda- 
tions; but these establishments have been thoroughly 
described by former travellers, 
I was induced to visit a house, in the saloon of which 
there is a great number of mausoleums belonging to a 
family who also possess some hairs of the Prophet's 
beard, a treasure much more precious than all the 
riches of the Indies; this relic is exposed to the venera- 
tion of the faithful in a chapel situated in front of the 
tombs. At my entrance the minister presented me a plate 
with a cushion covered with several pieces of violet 
tafeta, which spread a delicious odour; he made me 
worship the plate, and then touched, at several times, 
Vol. II. 3 C 
