The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-03-13
PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA.

A recent publication of the Ministry of Algeria
and the Colonies, makes some curious statements
relating to the pilgrimage to Mecca during the
present year. The ceremonies at Mecca termina-
ted on the 1lth of last month, in the presence of
about so, 900 pilgrims; of whom IL $50 had come
by sea, and 81, $50 by land. In 1853, there were
100000 Pilgrims in 1857, 100000; and in 1859,
100000. This great decrease in the number in
1859, owing, the natives declare, to the events
of Djeddah last year, and also to the dread of the
cholera, which made extensive ravages in 1858.
AS the pilgrim sets foot on the soil of Nee
ca, he must put Oh two pieces of white cloth, one
tied around the loins, with ends hanging down to
the middle of the leg, while the other is thrown
over the shoulder, to leave the righ free.
He must go bareheaded and wear sandals. As
long as he wears this garment he is bound to lead
pure and regular life At Mecca he begins the
ceremonies, under the direction of guide, they
as follows:
l. Visiting the temple and going times
round the Kaba, starting from the Black Stone
which he must kiss or touch In comp leting each
circuit 2. Drink the water Of the well ofZem
Fem, at which, says tradition, Hagar and Ish-
mael quenched their thirst. 3. Praying at the
station of Abraham, marked by stone, which
he Is said to have stopped when he went to sacra-
fee his son. 4. STOPPING and praying at the place
called Ell Madjeu, the place where Solomon stood
to see morter mixed for the building of the temple
5. Running seven times between Mount Safa and
Merwy, within the limits Of the city, in commem-
Grafton of Hagar's anxious search for water for.
herself and son. 6. Repairing on the ninth day
of the month to Mount Ararat about twelve miles
from Mecca, after morning prayer. Mohammedan
tradition says that on this hill Adam built tenn
pie and Mohamed performed his devotions. 7.
On the day following the visitors all 60 in body
to the VALLEY of MOUna, and there sacrafce pro-
pitatory victims; thcv also cut their hair and nails
devoutly burying the portions cut off. After
naming two days at Mouna, they again visit the
Temple Of Mecca, and then prepare for their depar-
ture.
WHAT LADY THINKS OF HAIR FAcEs-A
female writer in Xenia, Ohio, is making a crusade
against hairy faced men. Hear her:
What expression of kindness and mild humanity
can be observed in a face covered with hair from
the nose down? Not any, AS well might poor
rat look in the grizzly muzzle of Scotch terrier
for mercy, when about to be caught in his crushing
Jaws to look for expression of human kindness
and sympathy in the face of hirsute man
We can appreciate the value of smile. 1t
lghtens up the countenance with adorning sweetness
indicates kind heart and radiates gladness to the
hearts of others, encourages the responding.
soothes the afflicted, cheers the sorrowing disarms
wraths, and kindles up genial sympathy and
reciprocal regard But smile cannot drop out
from the face of man ''bearded and moustached
like the pard." You suppose, from the agitation
of tall grass, that some animal was crawling
through it. So you may infer from the whiskers
OF hair that smile was burrowing along there
somewhere out of sight The smile of such man
cannot be distinguished from the grin of a ribbed
nose baboon, which had burnt its mouth with
hot chestnut,