the title of
Emperor of Austria.

* * * * *

THE SELECTOR,

AND

LITERARY NOTICES OF

_NEW WORKS_.

* * * * *

MOUNT ARAFAT, AND THE PILGRIMAGE
TO MEKKA.

Every traditionary and topographical particular of this hallowed spot,
and the picturesque ceremonies by which it is consecrated, must be
acceptable to the Christian reader; and this conviction has induced us
to abridge the following from that portion of _Burckhardt's Travels_
which describes the _Hadj_, or _pilgrimage_ to Mekka.

At sunrise on the 9th of Zul Hadj, every pilgrim issued from his tent,
to walk over the plains, and take a view of the busy crowds assembled
there. Long streets of tents, fitted up as bazars, furnished all kinds
of provisions. The Syrian and Egyptian cavalry were exercised by their
chiefs early in the morning, while thousands of camels were seen feeding
upon the dry shrubs of the plain all round the camp. I walked to Mount
Arafat, to enjoy from its summit a more distinct view of the whole.
This granite hill, which is also called _Djebel er' Rahme_, or the
Mountain of Mercy, rises on the north-east side of the plain, close to
the mountains which encompass it, but separated from them by a rocky
valley; it is about a mile, or a mile and a half in circuit; its sides
are sloping, and its summit is nearly two hundred feet above the level
of the plain. On the eastern side broad stone steps lead up to the top,
and a broad unpaved path, on the western, over rude masses of granite,
with which its declivity is covered. After mounting about forty steps,
we find a spot a little on the left, called Modaa Seydna Adam, or the
place of prayer of our Lord Adam, where, it is related, that the father
of mankind used to stand while praying; for here it was, according to
Mohammedan tradition, that the angel Gabriel first instructed Adam how
to adore his Creator. A marble slab, bearing an inscription in modern
characters, is fixed in the side of the mountain. On reaching about the
sixtieth step, we come to a small paved platform to our right, on a
level spot of the hill, where the preacher stands who admonishes the
pilgrims on the afternoon of this day, as I shall hereafter mention.
Thus high, the steps are so broad and easy that a horse or camel may
ascend; but higher up they become more steep and uneven. On the summit,
the place is shown where Mohammed used to take his s