'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎690] (789/905)

690
TRAFFIC ON THE ROUTE.
[CHAP. XXV.
Seminaries
anciently
existed in
Arabia.
almost to his feet, bears the mahmal already described, as
covering the ka'bah. Most of the other camels, especially
those leading the sections, are also coloured yellow, and have
gaudy trappings, with plumes of red ostrich-feathers on their
Regulation of heads, and flags on each side. The marches are so regulated
the marches. ^ j) amascus and Cairo caravans reach Bedr at
the same time, each having spent 32 days on the road: six
more days carry them to Mekkah, which they enter together;
and they remain there three days, waiting for those from
Baghdad, Basrah, and India; all of these usually arrive in
time to march in one great body to Arafat.
Manner of The necessary supplies for this concourse of people are
supplies on the carried either in the manner already mentioned, or by a
journey. certain number of individuals making a common stock ; but a
locomotive bazar forms part of the suite, and, where there are
inhabitants within a short distance of the route, milk and
other supplies are brought for sale. The caravan, however,
comprises many good Muslims, with whom the pilgrimage is
a nominal, and trade the real object. Besides the sale of
stockings, shoes, and other useful articles by the way, the
camps of the Hajji, in and around Mekkah, are converted into
one great mart from the moment the pilgrims have gone
through the first part of the forms prescribed in approaching
the ka'bah. This of itself secures the envied title of Hajji;
but a visit to Arafat, in the manner already described,
becomes necessary to complete the pilgrimage; and, although
not enjoined, it is considered meritorious to extend it to
Medina.
Into this country the arts and sciences were early carried,
and here, at a time when Europe was sunk in barbarism, they
were carefully fostered by the wealth and power of the sove
reign. During the reigns of the Khaliphs, Bagdad, Cairo,
Basrah, Cufa, Orfa, Aleppo, Damascus, Alexandria, and
almost every other city of note not only possessed a collegiate
establishment, but also contained a number of learned men,
who formed the most distinguished part of the community;
and the seats of government became the resort of poets, astro
logers, astronomers, and philosophers, from all parts of the