These devotees
were engaged day and night in reading verses of the Koran before the
tomb, which was constructed of white marble, inscribed with sentences
from the book of the Prophet, and with the various titles conferred by
the Koran upon the Supreme Being. Such a sepulchre, of which there are
many, is, with its appendages and attendants, respected during wars and
revolutions, and no less by Feringis, (Franks, that is,) and Hindoos,
than by Mahomedans themselves. The Fakirs, in return, act as spies for
all parties, and are often employed in secret missions of importance.
Complying with the Mahomedan custom, our friend Hartley laid aside his
shoes at the gates of the holy precincts, and avoiding to give offence
by approaching near to the tomb, he went up to the principal Moullah, or
priest who was distinguishable by the length of his beard, and the size
of the large wooden beads, with which the Mahomedans, like the
Catholics, keep register of their prayers. Such a person, venerable by
his age, sanctity of character, and his real or supposed contempt of
worldly pursuits and enjoyments, is regarded as the head of an
establishment of this kind.
The Moullah is permitted by his situation to be more communicative with
strangers than his younger brethren, who in the present instance
remained with their eyes fixed on the Koran, muttering their recitations
without noticing the European, or attending to what he said, as he
enquired at their superior for Barak el Hadgi.
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