64 CONSTANTINOPLE. 
CHAP, and they are probably a remnant of the 
most antient heathen ceremonies of Eastern 
nations. The Turks hold this sect in greater 
veneration than they do even the Dancing 
Dervishes. 
We passed over to Scutary, from Pera, ac- 
companied by a Janissary, and arrived at the 
place where this exhibition is made. The 
Turks called it a mosque ; but it more resem- 
bled a barn, and reminded us of the sort of 
booth fitted up with loose planks by mendicant 
conjurers at an English fair. This resemblance 
was further increased, by our finding at the 
entrance two strange figures, who, learning the 
cause of our visit, asked if we wished to have 
the "Jire and dagger business" introduced among 
the other performances. We replied, by ex- 
pressing our inclination to see as much of their 
rites as they might think proper to exhibit : 
upon this, we were told that we must pay 
something more than usual, for the miracles. 
A bargain was therefore made, upon condition 
that we should see all the miracles. We were 
then permitted to enter the mosque, and 
directed to place ourselves in a small gallery, 
raised two steps from the floor. Close to one 
extremity of this gallery, certain of the Der- 
vishes were employed in boiling coffee upon two 
