Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-04-17
WHIRLING DERVISHES.

w WHlnLlNO Di1C ' 1DIIEC.
 DEvoTEEs WHO SEEK SALVATION
 BY SPINNING LIKE TOPS.
 A AConstantinople Correspondent Describes
 Some Remarkable Ceremonials-Bow-
 ane Low to the Name of the Prophet.
 Short Seasons of Prayer-sad Faces.
 But to return to the dervish chapel which I was describing. A deep gallery runs around six sides of the large room. On the side next Mecca, where the high priest sits, is a small but lofty pulpit, reached by narrow fight of steps. Besides this you observe a portion of the gallery is partitioned off and highly ornamented. This, with the screen of gilded lattice next it. is reserved for the Sultan and his harem From the lofty pulpit a sermon is delivered on some special holy days, but at such times all "Ghiours" are excluded. In- deed, there is little provision made for their comfort at any time. The space set apart for spectators is separated from that occu- pied by the brethren by a low railing, and it is motley gathering that fills this space. The center of ths floor is sacred to the brethern, and is worn so smooth by the fric- tion of their bare feet that you would think it had been polished and waxed. There is a narrow strip of mating next the rail, on which the brothers sit and kneel. Against the pillars that support the galleries are hung frames containing passages from the Koran. Above the seat of the chief priest is the name of the prophet in large letters of gold on a dark green ground. The high priests seat is simply crimson rug, where he sits cross legged, wrapped in a loose green cloak with wide flowing sleeves The musicians are stationed in the gallery directly opposite the high priest.
 It is an impressive sight when the dervishes enter slowly, in single file, the little gate of the inclosure, with their long light brown cloaks wrapped about them, concealing their hands. They first bow low to the name of the prophet, then with step keeping time to the music from the gallery, which fills the room with it's low monotonous strains, they take their places, bend forward and rever- ently kiss the ground; then, with both hands folded across the breast, seem lost in prayer, their bodies constantly swaying to and fro in time with the music. Now the high priest rises and delivers an audible prayer; the others remain motionless with hands still folded on the breast. At the close of the prayer all bow their heads to the ground, and a weird, barbaric melody peals forth from the gallery.
 Instantly the brethren all join in the chorus The effect is indescrible. Now the sound dies away till it is but as the whisper of the winds among the pines, then it again bursts forth with an energy that appears almost super natural, followed by another stiffness of about minute for silent prayer. When the low strains are again heard they all rise and slowly follow the high priest three times around the room. With arms still reverently folded upon the breast they bow twice to the name of the prophet-first on the side by which they approach, then on the side op- posite which they manage to accomplish very gracefully without once turning their backs upon the sacred name by slowly re- volving upon the right foot.
 The procession is closed by second pros tration. When each has gained his place he throws aside his cloak and begins the series of remarkable evolutions which has given them the name of dancing" or swhirling" dervishes. Meaningless as it all seems to us to them every rite has deep significance. Their rapid rotary motion symbolizes the motion of the universe, their low weird mu- sic the music of the spheres.
 Their dress consists of loose shirt-iacket and full long skirt of light brown cloth. The right side of the jacket is fastened to the girdle, the left hangs loose. The skirt is laid in deep plaits beneath the girdle. Their rapid revolutions give these full garments a bell shaped appearance, some of the most expert among them making their skirts stand almost at right angles with the body. The spectacle utterly baff1es description. AL though the space was somewhat circum- scribed they never once interfered with each others locomotion, but round and round they spun, as if impelled by an unseen power; their eyes half closed, their heads bent toward the right, their pale, thin, pas sionless faces perfectly immobile, though great beads of precipitation were soon stand ing on their brows.
 If for any reason one of them made a sud den pause, his garments wound about him in a singular manner. Three times they all paused for prayer, then resumed the rapid motion, with one hand held upward to re- ceive the expected blessings, the other ex- tended downward to scatter them abroad Finally they resumed their seats on the strip of mating, bathed in precipitation, when one of the brethren, who had seemed simply a spectator, covered each with his mantle. Then dervish whose seat was at the left of the high priests delivered long prayer, in a solemn but rapid manner, the last word of each section being greatly prolonged. This , the dervishes lowing reverently as each holy name was uttered. When at length the name of the prophet occurred they prostrated themselves on the ground. While they were thus prostrate the chief priest rose to his knees, delivered @ short prayer, then took his stand upon the crimson rug. The priests ap- preaching him slowly, one by one took his hand, and pressed it to their lips and fore head The first that advanced stationed himself at the right of the priest, the second in the same manner saluted the priest and his brother-each in turn performed the same ceremony until all had received the kiss of peace.
 As no seats are allowed we stood fully an hour and half, every moment expecting to see some exhibition of religious ecstasy, but saw nothing of the kind. All the dervishes looked weary and sad and all were very thin except an African, whose extra avoirdu- pois, together with the violent exercise, soon brought him to 'melting mood" and he retired to his seat looking but little like one inspired with seraphic visions. Another priest who claimed our notice was a beard