tation during the
Hadj; a small chapel formerly stood over it; but this was destroyed by
the Wahabys: here the pilgrims usually pray two rikats, in salutation
of Arafat. The steps and the summit are covered with handkerchiefs to
receive their pious gifts, and each family of the Mekkawys or Bedouins
of the tribe of Koreysh, in whose territory Arafat lies, has its
particular spot assigned to it for this purpose. The summit commands a
very extensive and singular prospect. I brought my compass to take a
circle of bearings; but the crowd was so great that I could not use it.
Towards the western extremity of the plain are seen Bir Bazan and the
Aalameyn; somewhat nearer, southwards, the mosque called Djama Nimre,
or Djama Seydna Ibrahim; and on the south-east, a small house where the
Sherif used to lodge during the pilgrimage. From thence an elevated
rocky ground in the plain extends towards Arafat. On the eastern side
of the mountain, and close to its foot, are the ruins of a small mosque,
built on rocky ground, called Djama el Szakhrat, where Mohammed was
accustomed to pray, and where the pilgrims make four prostrations in
memory of the prophet. Several large reservoirs lined with stone are
dispersed over the plain; two or three are close to the foot of Arafat,
and there are some near the house of the Sherifs: they are filled from
the same fine aqueduct which supplies Mekka, and the head of which is
about one hour and a half distant, in the eastern mountains. The canal
is left open here for the convenience of pilgrims, and is conducted
round the three sides of the mountains, passing by Modaa Seydna Adam.[5]

From the summit of Arafat, I counted about three thousand tents
dispersed over the plain, of which two-thirds belonged to the two Hadj
caravans, and to the suite and soldiers of Mohammed Aly; the rest to the
Arabs of the Sherif, the Bedouin hadjys, and the people of Mekka and
Djidda. These assembled multitudes were for the greater number, like
myself, without tents. The two caravans were encamped without much
order, each party of pilgrims or soldiers having pitched its tents in
large circles or _dowars_, in the midst of which many of their
camels were reposing. The plain contained, dispersed in different parts,
from twenty to twenty-five thousand camels, twelve thousand of which
belonged to the Syrian Hadj, and from five to six thousand to the
Egyptian; besides about three thousand, purchased by Mohammed Aly from
the Be