Nothing could be more affecting! Man, shrinking under a consciousness of his unworthiness, put his prayer into the mouth of innocent infancy; as though he trusted to the supplication uttered by pure lips and guileless hearts, when he dared not hope for mercy through his own agency. Every evening during the drought, that “linked chain” of childhood repaired to the same spot, and raised the same song of entreaty to an all-powerful Creator; and the echoes of the Valley flung back the infant voices of the choir as they swelled upon the wind of evening with a pathos which affected me to tears. It was only on the day preceding that of our departure from Constantinople that the prayer was answered; and, as the light vapoury rain fell upon the parched and yawning earth, my thought instantly reverted to the infant choristers of the Sweet Waters; whose artless hymn may be freely translated as follows:— HYMN OF THE TURKISH CHILDREN. Allah! Father! hear us; Our souls are faint and weak: A cloud is on our mother’s brow, And a tear upon her cheek. We fain would chase that cloud away, And dry that sadd’ning tear; For this it is to-night we pray— Allah! Father! hear. We seek the cooling fountain, Alas! we seek in vain; The cloud that crowns the mountain Melts not away in rain. The stream is shrunk which through our plain Once glided bright and clear; Oh! ope the secret springs again— Allah! Father! hear. We bring thee flowers, sweet flowers, All withered in their prime; No moisture glistens on their leaves, They sickened ere their time. And we like them shall pass away Ere wintry days are near; Shouldst thou not hearken as we pray— Allah! Father! hear. CHAPTER XXIII. A Greek Marriage—The Day before the Bridal—The Wedding Garments—Cachemires—Ceremony of Reception—The Golden Tresses—Early Hours of the Greek Church—Love of the Greek Women for Finery—The Bridal Procession—The Marriage—The Nuptial Crowns—Greek Funerals. There are few ceremonies more amusing (for that is really the correct term) than a Greek marriage. All is glitter and gossipy; and so many ancient and classical usages are still retained, that it is a curious as well as an interesting sight to a stranger. Having received an invitation to the wedding of a fair neighbor, I joined a party of friends who were about to visit her, according to custom, on the previous day; to offer their congratulations, and to give their opinions with regard to the bridal gear, as well as to assist in weaving the golden tresses by which a Greek bride is always distinguishable.