Those who aspired to become jurists or judges had to pursue a long course in law in the higher _medressehs_. At the end of this time they were examined personally by the _Mufti_, or chief jurist, and if successful they were dignified with the title of _Mulâzim_, or candidate. Those who did not aspire to the higher judicial positions ended their preparation at this point. The more ambitious sought appointment, for which they were now qualified, as _Muderisler_, or professors, in _medressehs_ of low grade. The _Muderisler_ received large salaries, which increased as they rose. They were in three classes,—the _Muderisler_ of Constantinople, of Adrianople and Brusa, and of the other cities of the empire. The _Muderisler_ of Constantinople numbered about four hundred; they were in ten grades, distinguished according to the subjects which they taught. Those of other cities than the capital, and those at the capital who did not pass through all the grades, became either jurists or judges of lesser degrees. Those who wished to reach the higher judgeships were obliged to pass through all ten grades. Since this was so long a process as regularly to bring a man to gray hairs before he reached the top, the rigid grading early began to be circumvented by the practice of inscribing the sons of _Ulema_ as _Muderisler_ while they were very young, substitutes being hired to teach in their places.[654] By the age of thirty or forty they would thus be able to attain high position. A continuance of this process, combined with the immunities and privileges of the _Ulema_, was in time to lead to great accumulations of wealth in the hands of a few families, who would be able to keep most of the high judicial offices within their own numbers. CLERGY, SEIDS, AND DERVISHES The clergy of the Ottoman nation were, as has been shown, of no great education, and they seem to have possessed less influence than the priests of any other religion.[655] They were in five classes: the _Sheiks_, or preachers; the _Khatibs_, or leaders of Friday services; the _Imâms_, or leaders of daily services; the _Muezzins_, who intoned the call to prayer; and the _Kaims_, or caretakers of the mosques.