FROM NAZARETH TO TIBERIAS. 
270- 
' ?- 
with which they strive to amalgamate the discordant materials 
of every religious creed. Those with whom we conversed 
confessed that the Pantheon of the Druses admitted alike, as 
objects of adoration, whatsoever had been venerated by Hea¬ 
thens, Jews, Christians, or Mahometans; that they worshipped 
all the Prophets, especially Isaiah and Jeremiah, as well as 
Jesus and Mahomet; that, every Thursday evening, the 
okkals , who cultivate mysteries, elevate, within their pla¬ 
ces of worship, a molten idol, made of gold* silver, or brass^ 
which has the form of a calf. Before this, persons of both sexes 
make their prostrations; and then a promiscuous intercourse 
ensues, every male retiring with the woman he likes best* 
This the djahel* relate of the okkals , whom they describe as 
cautious in making known the ceremonies of their secret wor¬ 
ship. The custom which unites the Druses in bonds of the 
strictest amity with those w ho happen to have eaten bread and 
salt with them, is of Arabian origin ; but indifference about 
matters of religion, which is so obvious among the Druses 
never was known to characterize an Arab. The fact is, that 
this does not apply to them all. It is evident the okkals are 
not indifferent as to their mode of worship, whatsoever this may 
really be. That which is related of them, we do not receive 
upon their own authority* The imputation which charges 
them with the worship of a calf, has some internal evidence of 
truth; because such an idol, so reverenced, was brought by the 
Israelites into the Holy Land: nor does it seem probable, sup¬ 
posing this accusation to have been founded upon the inven¬ 
tion of a tribe ofignorant mountaineers, that the story would 
have been so classically adapted to the aneient history of the 
country. Considering the little information derived from the 
writings of those travellers w ho have resided among them, and 
who have paid most attention to the subject, it is not likely 
that the nature of their occult rites will ever be promulgated.! 
That they betray an inclination to Mahometanism is not true 3 
because they show every mark of hatred and contempt for the 
Moslems, and behave with great benevolence and friendship to 
the Cimstiaris, whose religion they respect.;}; In their language 
they are Arabic ; in every thing else, a distinct race of men.f 
* See a former note. t 
1 “ It is impossible to draw a single word from their priests, who observe the 
most inviolable secrecy in every thing that concerns their worship: I conclude, 
■h erefore, that their dogmas are impenetrable mysteries.'” Mariti’s Travels, Vol. jh 
p. 2G. Lond. 1791. • 
X Mariti’s Travels, yol. ii. p. 25. 
§ Paul Lucas* sneaking of the Marpoites, say$‘» their language is Arabic is comer- 
