The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-11-26


dcrvshes. | suppose there are ample
descriptions of these dervishes and their
mummeries, but | have not read them.
! give what ! saw. The dancing sect
whir around gently on their toes.
Their arms are extended and eyes sleepy
or dreamy. They keep their places, like
stars in their orbits. as they move
around, while q solemn brother, with
arms folded and in prayer, moves be-
tween the revolving Orbs! Their robes
fly out as though they would make a
cheese, rs the children used to say.
They have a sweet chant. Their closed
eyes and whirl indicate that they see
the invisible Allah wherever they turn!
These do not howl. For that, we
went to Scutari. There is a convent
OF them there. We slipped behind the
curtain and went up into the gallery,
looking down into q court There was
an altar and n group of yariOusly
dressed derv,shes Some were soldiers.
some boys, some little girls in t.nscled
dresses, some were black as EBONY.
some tall, some small, some thin, some
handsome, some hdeOuS, aud all Joined
in the prayers and chants. a few
knee.ed on sheepSk'n, while others
formed n hollow square and began
swaying and singing while the tum-
tum OF the tambuurine and clash OF
cYm0aiS gave out the pleasing concord
OF a threshing machine. When the
agon7 was sufficient and the steam was
n with a full head, the sWaying and
bowling and barking, and snuup,Ur
9nd Jerking of head and body, and he
frothing and hard breathingan and general
diabolism began. The song was re-
petitions, and not unmusica) at in
tervals where a lute-like melody, in
strumental, came in as pre- ude
to additional bowling We. stood
this for an hour. One man OF
excellent appearance, with long,
glossy. auburn hair and a rich
voice, rs it SOUNDED out "Allah'' AM
Mahmoud"' seemed to be the chief,
and ruled them with a look. He gavea
glance at one, and off would 90 a scat,
or turban, or their high VIII tie SUGAR.
loaf hats and on would goa white night.
cap. One African of the worst aspect
ever saw on a human face, if, indeed, it
was not vizor hiding the human face,
seemed to he as 1.-the and loathsOme as
q snake. He was six feet and more,
and in his bare feet. His tongue would
| loll out, and his body would comfort till
you could hardly see what form it had.
| The negro MINISTRIES, when they mimic
the excuses of the negroes South at
their revivals, are but faint copies of
the wildness of this Nubau beast as
he twisted, snapped, ciuc,ed, barked
and hOwled. We went out for fresh
air. to return 80 see this strangest OF
/ ceremonies. Their chief and some of
/ his subordinates were sitting cross
/ legged and making sacred knots in
white napkins when we re-entered.
/ Then prone on their faces were arTayed
a dozen children, from two months old
/ up to twelve; and this deryish walked
/ over anG on their bodies. Yef, or
them, each and all. l would not have
believed it had not seen it. Not once,
but four times, these PROSTATE lines of
| children were formed, and he tread on
them each and all. Whereupon they
arose sanctifed and cleared of disease;
der and lay flat. He had the rheuma-
tism. Along with him a line was
/ formed, some OF the same little ones
chief travelled. The soldier got up and
kissed the dervish's hand. He took
care to place his foot on the upper part
of the thigh behind Any surgeon may
tell you whether this is n vulnerable
spot. Not a child whimpered, not a
soul smiled. | could neither enjoy nor
cease to wonder
What is the solution of this seeming
physical paradox? That question l
asked of a gentleman learned in the
customs here. He said: Ibid you OBJ
serve two priests in loose robes on each
side of the line holding the chiefs
arms?"
Eyes, but did not see that they could
have carried him safely over, allowing
only slight touch to the children with
the priestly foot"
THAT" said he, is my solution, and
the only one l have. Two strong men
might do it after much practice"
From this pulling and unique cere-
mony we rOughed it over some hard
roads to the top of the cemetery in
Scutari, saw the famed grave which the
Sultan built over the horse which fell
dead when the Captain rode him to that
spot with the news of the fall of Con-
stantinople, and then, turning down
many lanes and streets over Asiatic
ground. we entered the English GENE
terry, 1t is beautiful spot, and well
cared for. 1t is in such contrast with
the Turkish and other graveyards
hereabouts. A magnificent granite col
umn, supported by colossal figures,
rises here to the memory of the Cri-
mean soldiers. 1t overlooks the city
and the sea, the Bosporus and the Sc
raglio Point. In vain my wife sought
in this sacred spot for the grave Other
old friend, Mrs Edward Joy Morris,
who died here while her accomplished
husband was Minister. We left with