NAZARETH TO TIBERIAS. 205 
more antient period in history than the schism chap. 
of the Arabs after the death oi Mohammed''. To 
that mildness of character, which is so charac- 
teristic of the Druses, may be attributed both 
the mixture caused among them by individuals 
of different nations, who have sought refuge in 
their territory, and the readiness with which 
they strive to amalgamate the discordant mate- 
rials of every religious creed. Those ^vith whom 
we conversed acknowledged that the Pantheon 
of the Druses admitted alike, as objects of 
adoration, whatsoever had been venerated by 
Heathens, Jews, Christians, or Moslems; that 
they worshipped all the Prophets, especially 
Isaiah and Jeremiahy as well as Jesus and 
Mohammed ; that, every Thursday evening, the 
Okkals, who cultivate mysteries, elevate, within 
their places of worship, a molten Idol, made of 
gold, silver, or brass, which has the form of a 
cdlf. Before this, persons of both sexes make 
their prostrations ; and then a promiscuous 
intercourse ensues, every male retirini^- with the 
woman he likes best. This the Z)/aAe/^ relate 
of the Okkals, whom they describe as cautious 
in makino- known the ceremonies of their secret 
(,') See the account given by Volney, vol. 11. sect, 3. ^j.33. 
(fi) Sec the Note in opposite page. 
O 1 
