760 
BAWLING DERVISES. 
darkest hues,) and wrapping their arms across their breasts, 
they commenced, one after the other, in regular rotation, to 
whirl round with great velocity; seeming never to quit the spot 
on which they began, while in fact all were at once imperceptily 
describing the circle with an ease and a gravity that constituted 
the harmonious beauty of the whole. Their eyes were always 
fixed on the ground. The strain of solemn music varied 
after some time, when the devout party all extending their arms 
to the right and left, and holding them rather raised, continued 
their rotary motion, but in the most rapid whirls. The slower 
notes suddenly recurring, the ceremony closed by another triple 
solemn tour; when the whole company, in a silent and mea¬ 
sured pace, quitted the mosque. 
This order of devotees is comfortably lodged in religious 
asylums similar to Christian monasteries, and is considered the 
most respectable of the Dervise sects. This I had just seen is 
deemed moderate in discipline ; for there are others who carry the 
rotary motion to such an excess as to fall down senseless, and 
many who cut themselves with sharp instruments. Again, there 
is a brotherhood of bawling Dervises, who cease neither day nor 
night making the most hideous noises. 
Winter was now drawing its snow-clouds over the mountains 
north of this splendid city of “ lengthened summer sunsand 
before the whole scene should put off its brightness, I proposed 
an excursion to Belgrade, a place so exquisitely described by the 
brilliant pen of our countrywoman, Lady Mary Wortley Mon¬ 
tague. Accompanied by Mr. Elliot, my Persian, and a Janis¬ 
sary, I set forth, heartily enjoying the prospect of our ride. We 
passed over the now bleak hills northward of Pera, whence I 
had a fine view of the city, the double channels of the Bosphorus, 
