Far Off | Page 9

Desert Arabia; that is on the north. There is a
part in the middle almost as bad, called Stony Arabia, yet some sweet
plants grow there; but there is a part in the south called Happy Arabia,
where grow abundance of fragrant spices, and of well-flavored coffee.
THE THREE CITIES OF ARABIA.
Arabia has long been famous for three cities, called Mecca, Medina,
and Mocha.
Mecca is considered the holiest city in the world. And why? Because
the false prophet Mahomed was born there. On that account
Mahomedans come from all parts of the world to worship in the great
temple there. Sometimes Mecca is as full of people as a hive is full of
bees.
Of all the cities in the East, Mecca is the gayest, because the houses
have windows looking into the streets. In these houses are lodgings for
the pilgrims.
And what is it the pilgrims worship?
A great black stone, which they say the angel Gabriel brought down
from heaven as a foundation for Mahomed's house. They kiss it seven
times, and after each kiss they walk round it.
Then they bathe in a well, which they say is the well the angel showed
to Hagar in the desert, and they think the waters of this well can wash
away all their sins. Alas! they know not of the blood which can wash
away all sin.
Medina contains the tomb of Mahomed; yet it is not thought so much

of as Mecca. Perhaps the Mahomedans do not like to be reminded that
Mahomed died like any other man, and never rose again.
Mocha.--This is a part whence very fine coffee is sent to Europe.
TRAVELS IN THE DESERT.
Of all places in Arabia, which would you desire most to see? Would it
not be Mount Sinai? Our great and glorious God once spoke from the
top of that mountain.
I will tell you of an English clergyman who travelled to see that
mountain. As he knew there were many robbers on the way, he hired an
Arab sheikh to take care of him. A sheikh is a chief, or captain.
Suleiman was a fine-looking man, dressed in a red shirt, with a shawl
twisted round his waist, a purple cloak, and a red cap. His feet and legs
were bare. His eyes were bright, his skin was brown, and his beard
black. To his girdle were fastened a huge knife and pistols, and by his
side hung a sword. This man brought a band of Arabs with him to
defend the travellers from the robbers in the desert.
One day the whole party set out mounted on camels. After going some
distance, a number of children were seen scampering among the rocks,
and looking like brown monkeys. These were the children of the Arabs
who accompanied the Englishman. The wild little creatures ran to their
fathers, and saluted them in the respectful manner that Arab children
are taught to do.
At last a herd of goats was seen with a fine boy of twelve years old
leading them. He was the son of Suleiman. The father seemed to take
great delight in this boy, and introduced him to the traveller. The kind
gentleman riding on a camel, put down his hand to the boy. The little
fellow, after touching the traveller's hand, kissed his own, according to
the Arabian manner.
The way to Mount Sinai was very rough; indeed, the traveller was
sometimes obliged to get off his camel, and to climb among the crags
on hands and knees. How glad he was when the Arabs pointed to a

mountain, and said, "That is Mount Sinai." With what fear and
reverence he gazed upon it! Here it was that the voice of the great God
was once heard speaking out of the midst of the smoke, and clouds, and
darkness!
How strange it must be to see in this lonely gloomy spot, a great
building! Yet there is one at the foot of the mountain. What can it be?
A convent. See those high walls around. It is necessary to have high
walls, because all around are bands of fierce robbers. It is even unsafe
to have a door near the ground. There is a door quite high up in the wall;
but what use can it be of, when there are no steps by which to reach it?
Can you guess how people get in by this door? A rope is let down from
the door to draw the people up. One by one they are drawn up. In the
inside of the walls there are steps by which travellers go down into the
convent below. The monks who live there belong to the Greek church.
The clergyman was lodged in a small cell spread with