CONSTANTINOPLE.' 53 
became evident upon the features of the Der- ^^^^* 
vkhes ; the extended garments of some among v > *■ ' 
them began to droop ; and little accidents oc- 
curred, such as their striking against each other : 
they nevertheless persevered, until large drops 
of sweat falling from their bodies upon the floor, 
such a degree of friction was thereby occasioned, 
that the noise of their feet rubbing the floor 
was heard by the spectators. Upon this, the 
third and last signal was made for them to haJt, 
and the dance ended. 
This extraordinary performance is considered 
miraculous by the Turks. By their law, every 
species of dancing is prohibited ; and yet, in 
such veneration is this ceremony held, that an 
attempt to abolish it would excite insurrection 
among the people. 
There is still another instance of the most 
extraordinary superstition perhaps ever known 
in the history of mankind, full of the most 
shameless and impudent imposture : it is, the 
exhibition of pretended miracles, wrought in 
consequence of the supposed power of faith, 
by a sect who are called the Hoivling Dervishes HowUng 
of Scutary. Their orgies were before alluded ^""•"**"* 
to, as being similar to those practised, accordmg 
to Sacred Scripture, by the priests of Baal ; 
VOL. III. , E 
