The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-11-27
From Friendships OBering,' for ls4l.
SOLIMAN, THE JANUARY.
lC0NCLUDED.l

We had now reached the great square in front of
the Mosque of Soliman. The building is noble
one even in daylight, but then, Illuminated by the
thousands of torches, carried by the heads Of the
regiments, it looked like the diamond and chryso-
lite palace of Giamschid. ! halted got off my
horse, and, followed by the principal agas, went
into the mosque to perform my devotions. What
l saw there, | have never since told It was wild,
strange, and superb enough to have been vision
Of the Spirits that watch the world. know not
whether it was such. Butt was certainly no mere
dream,--no fantasy of opum,-no web of the i'm
agnation. What it was, you shall judge for your
self
had bowed my forehead to the carpet, and had
said the five prayers, when raised my eyes, and
saw standing directly before me tall man in long
dark robe. Observing that he did not take any
part in the devotion of the agas, who, like me,
were all bowling their heads to their carpets, an
grily made sign for him to move away But he
only gave a CHASTITY smile, and threw open his
cloak: saw that it was stained with blood, which
trickled from several wounds in his body Still
more asonished at the sight, for expected to see
him fall dead every moment, | continued making
signs to him to leave the mosque, and not thus pol
lutte its sacredness. At length, finding him regard
less of my gestures, started on my feet, drew my
scmetar, and drove him before me. As he reach
ed recess in the wall, he stopped, and irritaed
by his obstinacy, aimed decisive blow at his tur-
ban. The blow fell in those days | was consider
cred the best handler of a scimeor in Constantine
pie, and the stroke would have cut off the head of
an OK; felt take effect, and yet there stood the
man unhurt, and looking on me with the same
melancholy smile. started back in amazement.
'Who, or what are you, exclaimed. As look
ed, Il light seemed to glare Lchind him, though at
first thought it the mere reflection of the torches
we had brought into the mosque along with U.S.
Blu, the wall, which was of polished black marble,
continued to glare, and the light displayed the fea-
lures Of this extraordinary being with disnctness
which struck me with unaccountable awe. There
was no time to be lost, for the troops outside would
become impatient, and murmur at my delay and
yet my curiosity determined me TO force him 10
speak. held the point of my scmelar within
hands breadth Of his throat.
There is no use in cutting or my head at last
he said, and there was a sor, Of grave contempt in
the tone Of his voice; that operation is needless
second time in this world and mine was cut off
hundred and fifty years ago. felt my blood run
cold.
'Are You man or de,il'' I a, length asked.
Neither, was the brief answer.
AS looked his aspect continued to change it
grew paler and paer, and yet more lusrous. In
my boyhood had imagined ghosts, and thought of
thin, shadowy things; but the being before me had
nothing of the shadow His features were deeply
marked and powerful the hand that thrust back
my scmetar was hand of singular muscle, and
the voice was remarkably deep and bold
Have ever seen you before" ! exclaimed,
half dreading the reply.
Have you ever lived in the days Of the tyrant,
Gilman; have you ever fallen fighting have you
ever been in the grave p was that reply. had
no power to answer. l felt n struggle that shook
every nerve of my frame; bu, though ready to sink
on the ground, still longed to hear more. My
gesture, my only voice, spoke for me-
'Soliman Aga, see, said the figure, iha, YOU
are brave man, and good January. see, too,
that you may be entrusted with things which are
totally unfit for the shallow brains and selfish hearts
of nine -tentlls of mankind | am Daoud, the Vi
zicr.'
The name so well known 10 the memory Of our