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Article ACCOUNT OF THE PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA. ← Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Account Of The Pilgrimage To Mecca.
The procession being ended , every Pilgrim thinks of nothing but his departure for Mecca : which city ' is iiiArabia Felix , on the river Eda , two or three days journey frrrn the Red Sea . In their progress they pray frequently every day , always with their face turned to " that city , on which they bestoiv the epithet of Magnificent . The Grand Mosque is in the middle of the city : they pretend it is situated the
on very spo : on which Abraham built his first dwellinghouse . They call it the square house , believing from tradition that the patriarch ' s mansion was of that figure . Near it is a kind of chapel , which incloses a Avell much celebrate'd throughout the East . They say that the water of that well flows from a spring Avhich God discovered to Agar and Ismaelwhenbeing expelled bAbraham
, , y from his house , they were forced to retire into Arabia . Mahomet took the advantage of this Avell to render the city of his nativity respected by all his followers . He declared that the water of it had the virtue , not only of curing all bodil y diseases , but also of purifying souls-stained with the blackest crimes . His resentment against his fellow-citizens of Mecca , Who Avere for
banishing him from the place of his nativity , inspired him with a resolution of being revenged upon them . Pie declared that Medina should be his city , and the seat of empire for him and his successors . He ordered that his sepulchre should be built there , and ' accordingly his coi'Hn rests in the great mosque called Kiabi . It is surrounded by a kind of toAver , being supported by three marble pillars , and covered with
a pavillion of the richest stuff , embroidered with trokl , and surrounded with a multitude-of lamps continually burning . " The walls , of this tower are covered with plates of silver . To this tomb the caravans come fo pay their homage . That which bungs the presents from the Grand Seignior , no sooner arrives than the dervises , who have the care of the mosque , appear to receive it . The Pilgrims make the whole edifice resound their shouts of JOA - , and songs in honour of their prophet . After AVInch there is nothing but feasting , and open rejoicing , till the departure of the caravan .
The day of departing , the Pilgrims assemble again , and set out singing some verses of the Alcoran with a loud voice . Every one thinks it an honour to supply them with . provisionsfor the whole journey . Aud they are sure upon their return to meet the congratulations " of all the towns from whence they set out . They are honoured eveiy Avher ' e , and from that time they begin to enter ' into the possession of
all-the privileges which their reli gion grants to those AV IIO go to visit the prophet ' s tomb . Their pilgrimage screens them from all pursuits on former delinquencies , and if criminals , renders them perfectly guiltless . Not only the Pilgrims enjoy such singular privileges , but also the camels which have had the honour to bear presents to Mecca and
Medina , are not to be treated afienvards like common animals ; they are considered as consecrated to Mahomet , which exempts them from all labour and service . They have cottages . built for their abodes . Avhere they live r . f ease , and arc well I ' c-d and ' taken care of .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Account Of The Pilgrimage To Mecca.
The procession being ended , every Pilgrim thinks of nothing but his departure for Mecca : which city ' is iiiArabia Felix , on the river Eda , two or three days journey frrrn the Red Sea . In their progress they pray frequently every day , always with their face turned to " that city , on which they bestoiv the epithet of Magnificent . The Grand Mosque is in the middle of the city : they pretend it is situated the
on very spo : on which Abraham built his first dwellinghouse . They call it the square house , believing from tradition that the patriarch ' s mansion was of that figure . Near it is a kind of chapel , which incloses a Avell much celebrate'd throughout the East . They say that the water of that well flows from a spring Avhich God discovered to Agar and Ismaelwhenbeing expelled bAbraham
, , y from his house , they were forced to retire into Arabia . Mahomet took the advantage of this Avell to render the city of his nativity respected by all his followers . He declared that the water of it had the virtue , not only of curing all bodil y diseases , but also of purifying souls-stained with the blackest crimes . His resentment against his fellow-citizens of Mecca , Who Avere for
banishing him from the place of his nativity , inspired him with a resolution of being revenged upon them . Pie declared that Medina should be his city , and the seat of empire for him and his successors . He ordered that his sepulchre should be built there , and ' accordingly his coi'Hn rests in the great mosque called Kiabi . It is surrounded by a kind of toAver , being supported by three marble pillars , and covered with
a pavillion of the richest stuff , embroidered with trokl , and surrounded with a multitude-of lamps continually burning . " The walls , of this tower are covered with plates of silver . To this tomb the caravans come fo pay their homage . That which bungs the presents from the Grand Seignior , no sooner arrives than the dervises , who have the care of the mosque , appear to receive it . The Pilgrims make the whole edifice resound their shouts of JOA - , and songs in honour of their prophet . After AVInch there is nothing but feasting , and open rejoicing , till the departure of the caravan .
The day of departing , the Pilgrims assemble again , and set out singing some verses of the Alcoran with a loud voice . Every one thinks it an honour to supply them with . provisionsfor the whole journey . Aud they are sure upon their return to meet the congratulations " of all the towns from whence they set out . They are honoured eveiy Avher ' e , and from that time they begin to enter ' into the possession of
all-the privileges which their reli gion grants to those AV IIO go to visit the prophet ' s tomb . Their pilgrimage screens them from all pursuits on former delinquencies , and if criminals , renders them perfectly guiltless . Not only the Pilgrims enjoy such singular privileges , but also the camels which have had the honour to bear presents to Mecca and
Medina , are not to be treated afienvards like common animals ; they are considered as consecrated to Mahomet , which exempts them from all labour and service . They have cottages . built for their abodes . Avhere they live r . f ease , and arc well I ' c-d and ' taken care of .