ther public buildings are the hanns and
monasteries; the first are very large and numerous; the second few in
number, and not at all magnificent. I had the curiosity to visit one
of them, and to observe the devotions of the dervises, which are as
whimsical as any at Rome. These fellows have permission to marry,
but are confined to an odd habit, which is only a piece of coarse
white cloth, wrapped about them, with their legs and arms naked.
Their order has few other rules, except that of performing their
fantastic rites, every Tuesday and Friday, which is done in this
manner: They meet together in a large hall, where they all stand with
their eyes fixed on the ground, and their arms across, while the
_imaum_ or preacher reads part of the alcoran from a pulpit placed
in the midst; and when he has done, eight or ten of them make a
melancholy concert with their pipes, which are no unmusical
instruments. Then he reads again, and makes a short exposition on
what he has read; after which they sing and play, 'till their
superior (the only one of them dressed in green) rises and begins a
sort of solemn dance. They all stand about him in a regular figure;
and while some play, the others tie their robe (which is very wide)
fast round their waist, and begin to turn round with an amazing
swiftness, and yet with great regard to the music, moving slower or
faster as the tune is played. This lasts above an hour, without any
of them shewing the least appearance of giddiness, which is not to be
wondered at, when it is considered they are all used to it from their
infancy; most of them being devoted to this way of life from their
birth. There turned amongst them some little dervises, of six or
seven years old, who seemed no more disordered by that exercise than
the others. At the end of the ceremony, they shout out, _There is no
other god, but God, and Mahomet his prophet;_ after which, they kiss
the superior's hand, and retire. The whole is performed with the
most solemn gravity. Nothing can be more austere than the form of
these people; they never raise their eyes, and seem devoted to
contemplation. And as ridiculous as this is in description, there is
something touching in the air of submission and mortification they
assume.--This letter is of a horrible length; but you may burn it
when you have read enough, &c. &c.

LET. XLII.

TO THE COUNTESS OF ----.

I AM now preparing to leave Constantinople, and perhaps you will
a