Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-03-29

aristocratie NOslems; and on certain oayS OF
the week it is thronged with men and wo.
men, the latter, from an old and lax custom,
predominsting. Indeed 1t il ct this little
mosque, If reverence IL assumed and discrs.
tion exercised. that one will secure more
gimpses Of Arab women of the finer type
than offered by all other possible opportuni-
ties In Agiers. The grand mosque dates
from the eleventh century. From the Rue
de la Marine 1t presents facade of splendid
arcade, In the center OF which Ia . tremen-
dous fountain. Before all mosques stands
the fountain, for all Moslems perform extra
ordinary ablutions before entering for wor-
ship. The interior, as with all mosques, is
extremely plain. Stately, monumental pill
lars, supporting the universal moresque arch,
provide numerous series of arcades. few
inexpensive lamps are supported from the
roof. The pulpit is plain and the gallery at-
taohed to 1t is Of the severest pattern. A lit
tie niche, without ornamentation, is set into
the wall, called the mihrab, which is found
in all mosques, and indicates the east, the
direction Of the sacred Mecca. Mattings are
hung about all columns, and the side walls,
lest they suffer deflement at the touch of
things to be seen Is in carpeting. The floor
is completely covered with the richest of old
Moorish carpets. For no Moslem, and no
Christian, unless he have no sense of regard
for cherished religious custom and tradition,
will ever enter one of these edifces without
first removing his sandals or shoes. The
windows are invariably small, set high In the
subdued light and the peculiar eastern In
cense is exceedingly impressive. Under the
same roof is the highest Algerian court of
the Algerian Mussulmen, the superior tribu-
nal of the Muphti, to which appeals are fre-
quently taken from the lower court of the
Cadi; for it has been the wise policy of the
French provincial rule in Algeria to foster
gion and institutions not positively inimicsl
to French civil law.
The Fisher place mosque is one of the
| most striking buildings In Algiers, as you
approach the city from the Mediterranean.
It has lofty central dome, a smaller dome
at each of the four corners, and at the north
west side a lofty and graceful minaret. It is
whitewashed to a dazzling whiteness, and
looms high and solemn over all other struc-
lures in this quarter, where the line between
old and new Algiers is so closely defined.
Near it Ia the Pecherie or fish market, from
whence the mosque derives its name, and at
all times of day and night one will come
upon the swarthy toilers of the sea, a wild
and half naked set of splendid fellows, who
in weird looks and strange customs are the
almost exact prototypes of the oriental pes-
cadores who will be found around the old ca
thedral square and the crumbling Bouquete
walls opposite Moro's frowning parapets at
Havana. The severity of the interior of this
mosque is even more marked than that OF
the Grand mosque in the Rue de Ia Marine.
The columns are draped with mating; the
floors are protected by mating; and the gal
lery of open wood work is covered with
somber coat of paint. All the windows are
tiny and high. The devotion of it's worship
ers and the solemnity and quiet of the place
are something worthy of Christian peoples
attention. At the left of this mosque, If the
visitor will ascend the steps and enter little
door always standing open in the day time,
there will be found curious court attach
| ment. Nearly half dozen turbaned Arabs
are seated cross legged upon a rug of mat
| ting. They are silent, grave, mysterious.
| About them are scattered score of huge
| open books, the black characters of which
show them to be tomeA of record. This is a
lower Arab court of justice. All minor dis
putes are settled here, and judgments are re-
corded by a cadi's secretary in the huge vol
umes upon the floor. No woman is permit
| ted to come into the presence of this august
tribunal She is penned within an adjoining
cloister like room, and gives her testimony
through hole in the intervening wall not az
/ large as her own head.
Sidi Add el Rhaman sets above the garden
| of Marengo and overlooks ths see. Its sur
roundings are charming. and within its little
cemetery are eucalyptus, mulberry and fg
trees shading the quaint old tombs. The in.
ner chapel is sort of shrine from being the
burial place of numbers of Moslem saints,
pachas and deys; and wondrous number of
| sacred rites, emblems and carvings, with
lamps, ostrich eggs and embroideries, gro-
| tesquely decorate the columns, walls and
hang from the ceilings. More than million
francs have been expended on such gifts and
tokens. 1t is in this little mosque that one
will see go many Arab women. Their gilt
tering silken haiks hide their faces, but there
is constant atmosphere of perfume, an
endless tinkle of concealed and half con.
cealed jewelry, q continuous murmur OF
musical voices in prayer, and q ceaseless rus
tie of women's attire as they come, go OF
PROSTATE themselves In their devotions. The
latter are certainly solemn and impressive.
whether down among the old fisher folk, al
/ the Grand mosque with the Malekt rite, OF
here where the wealthier Arab men and VIC
men come clad in the richest textures of the
orient and laden often with jewels which
would purchase kings ransom. The Mos.
lem must pray five times each day. Every
act of prayer begins with these words from
the Koran: "Praise be to God, the Lord oi
all creatures, the most merciful. the Lord ol
| the day OF Judgment! Thee do we worship
We impiore thy aid. Direct us in the righ
way" This and other passages are repeated
led by the thalib, a sacred scholar and an ole
man, in the nature of responses. The facel
of all are toward the east, their Mecca. Al
each mention of the name of God every
worshiper prostrates himself so that sever
parts of the body-the head, hands, kneel
and feet-touch the sacred carpet together.
EDGAR L. WAKEMAN.