u 113 
canopy, being the atmosphere with the animating pla* 
net of the world for its illuminating centre, formed the 
most imposing picture of the homage which men uni- 
ted into society can offer to the Almighty. 
It has already been observed that the Mahometans, 
properly speaking, have no priests. Those that have 
employment at the mosques have no distinguishing 
mark to make them known from others, nor any char- 
acter which exempts them from the obligations of other 
citizens; they have wives, they work, and they pay tax- 
es. The order of priesthood, which in all other re- 
ligions forms a separate class in the state, and of which 
the members are looked upo* as mediators between God 
and man, does not at -<M exist with the Mahometans. 
Here all men are equal before the Creator, and the 
temples have no places reserved for any one, or privi- 
leged. Virt^ an d vice are the only circumstances by 
which ma* ma y approach the Deity or be alienated from 
him. 
The persons employed at the mosques consist of Im- 
aums and Mueddens, The former direct the prayers; 
they preach also on Fridays, and read now and then pub- 
licly from venerated books; the latter summon the people 
by loud shouts from the tops of the minarets, and assist 
the Imaums in the direction of the prayers. These em- 
ployments invest them with no particular character, and 
from the moment they have terminated their function, 
they pursue their ordinary occupation like their fellow 
citizens. If an Imaum or Muedden should happen to 
be absent, any other individual may take his place in 
the mosque, and officiate for him. 
The Mussulmen have no days in the year that are 
deemed sacred, but the birth-day of the prophet and 
Easter. On Fridays they work as on other days of the 
VOL. I. 
