CAPITAL OF THE CRIMEA. 
purest water. These fountains are almost as 
necessary to the ceremonies of the mosque 
as they are ornamental to the town; since 
every true Moslem washes his head, his beard, 
his hands, and his feet, before he proceeds to 
prayer. The number of fountains is so great 
in Baktcheserai, that they are seen in all parts 
of the city ; water flowing from them day and 
night, cold as ice and clear as crystal. One 
of these fountains had not less than ten spouts, 
whence the purest streams continually fell upon 
slabs of marble. Four times in every twenty- 
four hours the Tahlars, invoked by their Mullas 
from the lofty minarets, are seen assembled, 
performing their ablutions, and proceeding to 
their mosques. If Paley's position be admitted, 
that “ a man who is in earnest about religion 
cannot be a bad man the Mohammedans, being 
more in earnest than any sect of worshippers 
upon earth, are entitled to respect ; and it must 
be confessed, we never beheld a Moslem at his 
prayers without feeling a kindling awe, inspired 
hy the sincerity of his devotion. No utterance 
escapes his lips, excepting the name of God, 
which is heard at intervals, accompanied by 
low impressive sighs. His whole soul seems to 
be absorbed in intellectual communion with the 
(1) Palcy'% Sermons, Disc. I. Lond. 1808. 
