of silver lamps. To see this is the peculiar object of the Mahometan's pilgrimage, and the duty is enjoined him (however few observe it,) no matter at what distance he resides. When may we hope, said William to Captain Blisset, to see all mankind professing the same religion, and worshipping the true God? In his own appointed time William, replied Captain Blisset, the Almighty God will bring it to pass, for the period will surely arrive when the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea. It was during their stay at Mecca, that our travellers had an opportunity of observing the arrival of the caravan, which comes annually from Damascus; and, as it is by far the most numerous of any, it deserves a particular description. Their lodging was in a house, near the northern gate, so that they beheld, from their windows, the whole procession entering, and William took down the particulars accord. ing as they passed him. The Procession of the Caravan to Mecca. 1 One iron cannon and six brass cannon on neat carriages, each of them drawn by two horses. 2. Four frames in embroidered cases of leather for holding powder and ball, drawn by men on foot. 3. Seven camels with the provision of the Emir Hadge, or prince of the pilgrims. 4. Four camels, with persons on them that played on some musical instruments. 5. A tartavan or litter, carried by four mules. 6. Eight litters of the Emir Hadge, each carried by two camels. 7. Seventy camels, loaded with biscuit. 8. Fourteen with oil and butter. 9. Fifty with corn, and one with two long boxes of large wax candles, for the service of the house of Mecca. 10. Ten with sugar, coffee, and the like. 11. Thirteen with kitchen utensils, &c. 12. Eight with the kitchen tent, and tables for the cooks. 13. Eighty-six camels of the Emir Hadge, not loaded. 14. Twelve others in the same manner, very finely caparisoned. 15. Sixty camels of the Emir Hadge, not loaded. 16. Fifty-four camels loaded with water. 17. Ten loaded with tents. 18. Eight camels loaded with water. 13. Twelve with a sort of boxes on each side to carry the sick; two of the boxes being covered, in which were medicines for the sick; and on one were two boards with holes in them for washing the dead on. 20. Two camels, on which were the persons that take care of the sick. 21. Men on camels, beating kettle-drums, the same kind of music being at the end of every string of camels. 22. Six camels loaded with iron frames, in which they make fires. 23. A litter. 24. Four loaded camels. 25. One camel with kettle-drums, on it, and two men, each beating a drum. 26. Twenty camels without loads. 27. Two cases for ball and powder. 28. Six camels loaded with tents and other things. 29. Five cases for ball and powder. 34. Two camels loaded. 35. One with music. 36. Thirty-one camels not loaded. 37. Ten overseers of camels to carry water, given by some Califs, by the Sultans of Egypt and others. 38. Three camels with music. 39. Twenty camels with loads. 40. Two camels with water. 41. Sixteen overseers of the water on horses. 42. Three men on camels. 43. Twenty unloaded camels. 44. Four cases for ball and powder. 45. Two camels loaded with water. 46. The Iman or head Sheik, on a camel, who is chaplain of the caravan, and offers up the prayers at the place of Abraham's sacrifice. His outward garment of cere. mony was white; he carried a green flag, and blessed the people with his right hand, by holding it out and moving it gently, as they do when they sa, lute, but not bringing it to his breast 47. Eleven camels not loaded. 48. Three with pilgrims on them. 49. Two camels with music. 50. Twenty-two without loads. 51. Two camels with sheiks on them, who lead the way on the road. 52. Twenty camels loaded with water, one with drums. 53. Ten without loads. 54. Five loaded with water. 55. The banner of the body of Spahis, called Cherkes. 56. Thirty of their body. 57. Twenty Ikiars of that body, each having a pike carried before him. 58. The Sardar of the Cherkes, and his lieut*. 59. Three or four led horses. 60. Two seraches, who are servants under him. 61. Twelve slaves on horses. 62. Sixty of the body called luphekjees. 63. Thirty ikiars, or elders of them. 64. Four slaves on horseback,in coats of mail made of wire. 65. One and twenty slaves. 66. Twenty men on camels, most of them slaves of the sardar. 67. Two led camels for the sardar. 68. Two camels with loads, 69. Two camels with kettle drums. 70. Seven with baggage. 71. Fifty of the body of the gjumelues. 72. Their sardar. 73. Twenty soldiers, and ten slaves with bows and arrows. 74. Thirteen camels with men on them. 75. Two camels with kettle drums. 76. Four loaded camels. 77. Two officers, called oda bashas, 78. Two led horses. 79. Two sabederiks, in caftans 80. Seven camels saddied. 81. Two led horses. 82. Two oda bashas. 83. One camel. 84. Thirty-four chouses, or messengers of the divan. 85. Other officers. |