y intoxication, I
_very much doubted the fact_.

I received my dress, took an oath of secrecy, and was introduced to my
companions; whom I soon found to be a set of dissolute fellows,
indulging in every vice, and laughing at every virtue; living in
idleness, and by the contributions made to them by the people, who
firmly believed in their pretended sanctity. The old man, with the
white beard, who was their chief, was the only one who did not indulge
in debauchery. He had outlived his appetite for the vices of youth, and
fallen into the vice of age--a love for money, which was insatiable. I
must acknowledge that the company and mode of living were more to my
satisfaction than the vigils, hard fare, and constant prayer, with which
the old man had threatened me, when I proposed to enter the community,
and I soon became an adept in dissimulation and hypocrisy, and a great
favourite with my brethren.

I ought to have observed to your sublimity, that the sect of dervishes,
of which I had become a member, were then designated by the name of
_howling_ dervishes; all our religion consisted in howling like jackals
or hyenas, with all our might, until we fell down in real or pretended
convulsions. My howl was considered as the most appalling and unearthly
that was ever heard; and, of course, my sanctity was increased in
proportion. We were on our way to Scutari, where was our real place of
residence, and only lodged here and there on our journey to fleece those
who were piously disposed. I had not joined more than ten days when
they continued their route, and after a week of very profitable
travelling, passed through Constantinople, crossed the Bosphorus, and
regained their place of domiciliation, and were received with great joy
by the inhabitants, to whom the old chief and many others of our troop
were well known.

Your sublime highness must be aware that the dervishes are not only
consulted by, but often become the bankers of, the inhabitants, who
entrust them with the care of their money. My old chief (whose name I
should have mentioned before was Ulu-bibi), held large sums in trust for
many of the people with whom he was acquainted; but his avarice inducing
him to lend the money out on usury, it was very difficult to recover it
when it was desired, although it was always religiously paid back. I
had not been many months at Scutari, before I found myself in high
favour, from my superior howling, and the duration of