pressing forward to enjoy its privileges. Here the moolahs are in the market-places, praying amongst

the people, and testifying from their scriptures"there is but one God, and Mahomet is his prophet."

This is particularly the case at this season of the Ramazan. I have been often stopped in the bazaars by the crowds of people. flocking towards the mosques, at the cry of the muzzins. I had many a difficult question to answer Hadji, who was curious to know as to our Ramazan customs in England. "What, eat and drink all day!" said he; "no morning prayers, no church going! and this is your boasted religion which is to overflow a world!" and he scorned me with the term Ghiaour, which is the reproach in this country, where

To be a Christian and the name of Christ,
Is an abomination."

It may be objected that to introduce religion into the ordinary concerns of life, would clog their operations, and that it cannot be associated with this world's engagements. But in the mirror of travel I have seen the contrary. It appears to me that religious duties might and should be the primary work

of all men. This is evidenced before me in the Mahomedans. Does the sovereign preside over the destinies of the empire with less zeal and vigour for having first implored the blessing of the

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King of kings," whose vicegerent he is? Does the statesman come to the council board with less power of intellect for having first enquired of the Ruler of all things whether they should go up to Ramoth Gilead or forbear? Does the captain of the host go forward with less assurance of victory for having implored the aid of the God of battles? I might extend the enquiry to the lawyer at the bar, the merchant in the counting-house, or the mechanic at his bench. I would say with the Mahomedans, let religion pervade every profession and pursuit in life; it will strengthen, invigorate, and purify the mind.

I must confess that I felt "shame burn my cheek to cinder," at being twitted by a Mahomedan with our cold, frigid, Protestant worship, as compared with their animating zeal, which at this season of the Ramazan was so moving the followers of Ma

The only blessing which I remember being invoked on the national councils (independent of the Liturgy) is on that of the meetings of parliament.

homet. I find, too, that in the Greek church religious observances are mixed up with all their institutions, civil and political; the armies never march except headed by the priest. I recollect once attending the Russian camp at Erzroume, at a grand fete, on account of some victories of General Paskevitch: the priest headed the ranks, and publicly gave thanks to the God of battles; the soldiers, bareheaded, responded with their Hallelujahs, and the whole army joined in the Te Deum of thanksgiving. I never heard a service more impressive; and instead of the noisy ebullitions of a riotous soldiery, they had converted their camp into a cathedral-their shouts into praises.

The zeal of the Mahomedans is further evinced in erecting temples to their God. As I lay on my mat in the caravansery at Kazvine, I had opportunity to watch my neighbours: a water-melon, some rice, and "kiabobs," roasted sausages, formed the daily repasts of some of the wealthiest merchants in Persia; but their ambition was expended on a large mosque, which they were building to the glory of their prophet; I saw it in its incipient state, with fine promise of a splendid structure. They contented themselves with the necessaries of

life, in order to nourish their religion with their wealth.

The bazaars at this season of the Ramazan * are dressed up with peculiar gaiety, and abound with fruits, "gezenjibin," or manna, and a variety of candied mixtures, rather indigestible. The fast is succeeded by a feast; many people eat by night and sleep by day; the abstinence of the morning is amply made up by the feed of the evening.

This is the season of our Ramazan or Lent, which in all countries is so respected, except in England. I have mixed with almost every sect, and acquainted myself with their creeds, from the Ghebre to the Moslem, with all of whom this fast is a prominent feature-and what do I find in my own country? It is true the churches are opened, but do I see the people flocking to them, like the Mahomedans to their mosques! Where is their practice of charity, self-denial, coming out from the world, &c. ; and are the commands of the Messiah so rigidly observed as are those of the Prophet amongst his people? The legislature once interfered to close the portals of dissipation during the passion week; the same power has opened them again to masquings and revellings, at which the Moslems would revolt at any season. Furthermore, a member of the same legislature once proposed to desecrate the Sabbath to the level of other days! The moolahs would have proscribed him from the mosques.

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CHAPTER XVI.

MAHOMEDAN VENGEANCE.

DURING my stay in Persia, that awful event took place at Tehran, of massacring the Russian ambassador, M. Grybydoff, and all his suite, (saving M. Maltzoff, a secretary, and three Cossacks,) being thirty-nine in number. The Persian history scarcely presents so barbarous an outrage on humanity; nor need I narrate the circumstances, which were soon after so ably set forth in "Blackwood's Magazine." It was a storm of fanatic fury, raised by the moolahs, which swept away these devoted victims. Islamism was said to be in danger; the Ghiaours had insulted their religion, and never was the fury of the Persian