In  the  center  of  the  outer  court  is  usually  a  square  solid  fountain
basin,  guarded  by  slender  pillars  and  a  tent-like  roof,  which  is  also
crowned  with  a  star  or  crescent.  The  water  escapes  by  taps,  and  the
water-carriers  are  sitting  upon  the  steps  to  gossip,  while  the  pigeons
which  make  their  homes  in  the  thousand  cornices  and  niches  of  the
mosque,  are  flitting  round  the  fountain.  Near  by  will  sometimes  be
seated  a  ragged  old  Turk,  and  beside  him  a  chest  of  millet  seed.  For  a
slight  consideration  he  dips  out  a  cupful  and  rattles  the  iron  hasp  of  the
chest ;  dark  clouds  of  the  birds  respond  by  dropping  from  every  dome,
minaret,  crescent  and  niche  of  the  mosque  and  fountain,  and  crowding
and  pushing  for  their  spoils.
Another  beggar,  before  the  mosque  is  left  behind,  obtains  his  point
by  pure  Mohammedan  eloquence.  "Alms  quench  sin,"  he  cries,  "as
water  quenches  fire.  Alms  shut  the  seventy  gates  of  hell.  At  the
gates  of  paradise  stands  an  angel  crying  continually,  '  Whoso  giveth
alms  to-day  shall  be  rewarded  of  God  to-morrow.'  Generosity  is  a  tree
by  which  men  climb  into" —

FASTING   AND    PILGRIMAGES.
