I saw the extravagant devotion of an enthusiastic sect of Turks which they publicly acted in the manner following. After their ordinary midday namáz at a little mosque of this city, they repaired to an adjoining chapel, where were seated many Turks of different quality, who came thither as spectators only, and to entertain their curiosity. These several devotées, who were to act their part, were decently ranked in circular seats, till the prior of their order entered, on which they all rose to reverence him. He immediately seated himself in the corner of the room, and with the whole fraternity struck up a religious hymn, which they carried on in a decent, solemn, and harmonious manner. This done, they rose upon their feet, to the number of about sixty persons, and form’d themselves into a close ring, each one holding his hands on the breast and neck of his foreman. In this posture they advanced round, repeating with a deep and forcible voice, Hú hú; at the same time stamping violently on the ground, and with great force throwing their heads towards the center of the ring. Soon after two step’d within the circle, and turn’d swiftly upon their heel; upon which the whole company quickened their motion, and grew into a warmth and fury, which is rather to be admired, than expressed in words. For two hours and an half they acted a continual fury, sometimes huging one another in a cluster, at other times kneeling in a confused company, and then runing round in a circle without cessation[109], throwing about their hands, tossing their heads, and repeating in hidious cries, Hú héy, Alláh hulláh, Allá hú, or, Allá héy. As they grew hoarser and weaker, both their sound and action exactly resembled the barking and snarling of dogs[110]; till at length being covered with sweat, and worked up to the last pitch of extasy, they concluded with certain versicles, which they repeated from the mouth of the prior, and so dismissed us[111].
April iv.
My Lord Paget paid his last visit this morning to the vizír kayá, who presented him with a gentile horse and furniture. In the afternoon he likewise took his last leave of the reis effendi, who honoured him with the like present, and dismissed him with expressions, that witnessed the sincere and cordial respect he bore him. I shall conclude this narrative with observing only, that about Adrianople grows an excellent red wine, which I take to be that mentioned by Hesiod in his Oper et Dies, L. ii. ℣. 107, where he says: Πετραίη τε σκίη, καὶ Βίβλινος οἶνος.
An Account of a journey from Adrianople, thro Bulgaria, Walachia, Transylvania, Hungary, Germany, Flanders, Holland, and thence to England, in the years MDCCII and MDCCIII.
April viii. A. D. 1702.
This day about ten a clock my Lord Paget set out from Adrianople, and began his journey homeward with a splendid equipage. First proceeded two chiaushes, and six janisaries; then the three flags of the arms of England, the union, and St. George, after these the gentlemen of the horse, with thirteen led horses; next the agá, appointed by the government to conduct his Excellency; who was followed by four coaches, each drawn by six horses, in the last of which rode his Excellency himself, and in the first some gentlemen, who accompanied him in this journey; namely, Count Gylderstope of Sweden, Mr. George Montague, nephew to my Lord Hallifax, and his tutor Mr. Gangain.