opinion these cakes are of precisely the same make and origin as
those to which the writer alludes under the above name of "_sour
cakes_," which I presume he must have forgotten the name of. I
should have mentioned, that when these cakes (for they are
frequently called _avver cakes_) are baked, the fire must be of
wood; they never bake them over any other fire. These cakes are
of a remarkably strong, sour taste. I should further note, that
the _girdle_ is attached to a "crane" affixed in the chimney.

I am totally unable to give a definition of the word _avver_, and should
feel much gratified by any correspondent's elucidation. I think _P.T.W_.
may possibly assist me on this point; and if so, I shall be much obliged.
There is an evident corruption in it. I have sometimes thought that avver
means oaten, although I have no other authority than from knowing the
strange pronunciation given to other words.

W.H.H.

* * * * *

THE CONTEMPORARY TRAVELLER.

* * * * *

DESCRIPTION OF MEKKA.

Mekka maybe styled a handsome town; its streets are in general broader
than those of eastern cities; the houses lofty, and built of stone; and
the numerous windows that face the streets give them a more lively and
European aspect than those of Egypt or Syria, where the houses present
but few windows towards the exterior. Mekka (like Djidda) contains many
houses three stories high; few at Mekka are white-washed; but the dark
grey colour of the stone is much preferable to the glaring white that
offends the eye in Djidda. In most towns of the Levant the narrowness of
a street contributes to its coolness; and in countries where
wheel-carriages are not used, a space that allows two loaded camels to
pass each other is deemed sufficient. At Mekka, however, it was necessary
to leave the passages wide, for the innumerable visiters who here crowd
together; and it is in the houses adapted for the reception of pilgrims
and other sojourners, that the windows are so contrived as to command a
view of the streets.

The city is open on every side; but the neighbouring mountains, if
properly defended, would form a barrier of considerable strength against
an enemy. In former times it had three walls to protect its extremities;
one was built across the valley, at the street of Mala; another at the
quarter of Shebeyka; and th