ht to face circumcision. Finding entreaties in
vain, the Cadi ordered the immediate administration of a stupefying
draught, and the sailor was then seized and circumcised without further
ceremony.

In cases where the new Mohammedan is reasonable and submits like a hero,
the ceremonies are more elaborate. Le Feber relates that if the
candidate is a man of note or wealth he is mounted on a horse and
exhibited all over the city; he is dressed in the richest of Turkish
robes and in his hand he holds an arrow with the point directed to the
sky; he is followed by a great concourse of people, some dressed in
holiday attire and others in fantastic costumes; and general feasting
and enjoyment is the rule over the course of the march, where all the
people run to swell the crowd. If the man happens to be a poor man, he
is simply hurriedly marched about on foot, with a simple arrow in his
hand pointed skyward, to distinguish him from ordinary mortals; before
him a crier proclaims in a loud voice that the new religionist has
ennobled himself by professing the faith of the prophet in this solemn
manner. A collection for his benefit is taken up among the booths and
shops, which is mostly appropriated by the conductor, circumciser, and
his assistants, after which he is circumcised without further ado.

The same author describes the operation as performed on the young Turks
and the accompanying ceremonies. They differ in some respects from those
employed in circumcising a convert. The parents of the child give a
feast in proportion to their means, to which are invited the relatives
of the family and personal friends; if of the upper ranks, he is
promenaded about the town to the music of drums and cymbals, dressed in
rich attire; two warriors lead the procession with drawn swords, and a
troop of females who sing songs of joy bring up the rear; the procession
now and then stops, when the two gladiators in the front indulge in a
fierce set-to, hacking at each other in the most determined and
murderous manner, but so studiedly shammy that neither is injured; on
the return to the house, the child, who is usually eight or ten years of
age, is bound hand and foot to prevent his causing any injury to
himself, laid on a bed, and circumcised with a razor, the operation
being performed either by a surgeon or the chief of a mosque.

CHAPTER IV.

CIRCUMCISION AMONG SAVAGE TRIBES.

E. Casalis,[16] who, in the capacity of missionary, for