'Collections of travels through Turky into Persia, and the East Indies. Giving an account of the present state of those countries, as also a full relation of the five years wars, between Aureng-Zebe and his brothers in their father's life time, about the succession. And a voyage made by the Great Mogul (Aureng-Zebe) with his Army from Dehli to Lahor, from Lahor to Bember, and from thence to the Kingdom of Kachemire, by the Mogols, call'd, the Paradise of the Indies. Together with a relation of the Kingdom of Japan and Tunkin, and of their particular manners and trade. To which is added a new description of the Grand Seignior's Seraglio, and also of all the Kingdoms that encompass the Euxine and Caspian Seas, being the travels of Monsieur TavernierBernier, and other great men.' [‎62] (611/1024)

A Relation of the Grand Seignorj Seraglio.
I queftion nor, but that they who have writ of the Religion of the Tmly, have
given feme account of the Pilgrimage of Mecba, which is one of the moft efletuial
parts thereof; and therefore, as well for that reafon, as alfe for chat I fhould digrefs
too much from my fubjed, I ought not to profecute that matter any farther. I
dial] take occafion here, to make three Rcmaks, which I have originally learnt
of one of the moft learned in the Rubricks of the Mahometan Law.
Thehrft is, that the Turkey by an ancient Tradition, believe, That Mecha is the
place where God commanded Abraham to build him an houfe ; atfe that while he
was there, all Nations came thronging to vifit him : and that it is alio the fame
place where Mahomet receiv’d the Alcoran, from Heaven.
The fecond relates to the Commhndement impos’d upon all the Mahttmtansy to
be, once in their lives, concern’d in the Pilgrimage of Mecha. For it is to be obferv’d,
That the obligation does not extend to the poorer fort of people, who have
hardly wherewithal to live upon, and would bring great mifery on their Fami
lies, by their abfenee, as being not able to leave them what is reqmftte for their
U The^hird Remark is concerning the preference of the two Cities of Mechay and
Medina. The former is the place of Mahomet's birth, which it was his defign to
honour, and make known, by that famous Pilgrimage, whereto he obliges all
thofe of his Law. The latter is the place of his Burial, of which there is abun
dance of fabulous relations. Mahomet^ in his Alcoran, does only enjoyn their
comg to Mechay where there are no other Relicks of that falfe I rophet, then
one of his Sandalls: And the Doftors of the Law are alfo of opinion, that there is
no obligation of going to Medinay and that without feeing that City, a man fatisfies
the Command of Mahomet. I fhall treat at large of the Pilgrimage of Mechay in
the laft Chapter of this Relation of my Travels, and of the different Roads by
which the Mahometans of Europe^ Afiay and Africa^ are conducted to the Tomb ot
their Prophet.
:uu;
CHAP-