I have before said it is not my intention to offer opinions on the character of the Mussulmaun people, my business being merely to relate such things as I have heard and seen amongst them. The several translations and anecdotes I take the opportunity of placing in these letters, are from authorities the Mussulmauns style, hudeeth (authentic),--that are not, cannot, be doubted, as they have been handed down either by Mahumud or by the Emaums, whose words are equally to be relied on. When any passages in their sacred writings are commented on by different authors, they give their authority for the opinion offered, as Emaum Such-a-one explains it thus. You understand, therefore, that the Mussulmauns believe these miracles to have occurred to the members of their Prophet's family as firmly as we believe in the truth of our Holy Scripture. [1] _Kahani_. [2] _Thandi_. [3] See p. 13. [4] _Rozadar_, 'one who keeps fast' (_roza_). [5] _Spinacea oleracea_, or _Basella alba_. [6] Dhall [_dal_] is a sort of pea, sometimes cooked in a savoury way with garlic, salt, ghee, pepper and herbs. It is about the consistence of thick pea-soup--but without meat. [_Author_.] [7] But it is directed that infirm people, unable to fast, should feed a poor person when the fast is over. Women in child and those suckling children are advised to fast at some other more convenient season. [8] 'Idu'l-fitr, 'the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast'. [9] _Dahi_. [10] The Ajwah date is never sold in Arabia, because the Prophet advised that whosoever break the fast every day with, six or seven of those fruits need fear neither poison nor magic.--Burton, _Pilgrimage_, i. 401 f. [11] Known as _siwayan_, which Musalman servants present on this day to their European masters in India. [12] _Nazr, nazar_. [13] A lumbering, keelless barge, formerly much used by Europeans travelling on the Ganges and its tributaries: _bajra_ meaning 'heavy'. [14] _Khil'at._ [15] _Domni_, a woman of the Dom or singer class. [16] _Sitara_, 'three-stringed', but often possessing four or more strings of steel and brass wire, played with a steel wire frame. [17] _Saranyi_. [18] _Dhol_: 'dhome' is a mistake. [19] _Hadis_, the sayings of the Prophet, not of an uninspired divine or teacher. [20] _Dastarkhwan_, a modification of the Arab leathern table-spread (_sufra_). [21] _Tharid_, bread moistened with broth and mixed with scraps of meat. [22] Maryam. [23] 'Isa'l-Masih. [24] Zakariya (_Koran_, iii. 32, vi. 85, xix. 1-12, xxi. 89). [25] _Chakki_. LETTER IX