DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0258
224 TRAVELS IN EGYPT, NUBIA,
learned and ignorant. They are by necessity in the latter
class to the age of twenty one ; after which, if they choose,
they become initiated into mysteries which none but them-
selves know. It is in vain to surmise what they only are
acquainted with, and whom superstitious reverence would of
course prevent from unfolding their secret.
The Maronites seemed to laugh at the religion of the
Druzes ; said the}r went to mosque once a year, and pro-
strated themselves according to the Mahometan religion;
and, during the rest of the year, few were seen to perform
any religious rite. They mentioned that a certain number
of the initiated met in a place of worship in the mountains ;
but what took place there was quite unknown.
Volney* enters more largely into an account of their
a curtain, he spoke in metaphors and symhols. Vide Crauford on the Hindoos,
vol. i. p. 19, 2d edition.
* Volney, p. 72, vol. ii. English translation, says, " They engaged the atten-
tion of Europe about the end of the 16th century. In their mode of life, form of
government, language, and customs, they bear a striking resemblance to the Ma-
ronites. Religion constitutes the difference between them. That of the Druzes
long a problem ; but the mystery is at length unveiled." He proceeds to say,
that in the year of the Hegira 386 (A. D. 996), the third caliph of the race of
the Fatmites, called Hakem-b'amr-ellah, succeeded to the throne of Egypt; and,
after extraordinary enormities, was supported by an impostor, called Mahommed
ben Ismael, in an attempt to cause a belief of his being God himself. They fell
learned and ignorant. They are by necessity in the latter
class to the age of twenty one ; after which, if they choose,
they become initiated into mysteries which none but them-
selves know. It is in vain to surmise what they only are
acquainted with, and whom superstitious reverence would of
course prevent from unfolding their secret.
The Maronites seemed to laugh at the religion of the
Druzes ; said the}r went to mosque once a year, and pro-
strated themselves according to the Mahometan religion;
and, during the rest of the year, few were seen to perform
any religious rite. They mentioned that a certain number
of the initiated met in a place of worship in the mountains ;
but what took place there was quite unknown.
Volney* enters more largely into an account of their
a curtain, he spoke in metaphors and symhols. Vide Crauford on the Hindoos,
vol. i. p. 19, 2d edition.
* Volney, p. 72, vol. ii. English translation, says, " They engaged the atten-
tion of Europe about the end of the 16th century. In their mode of life, form of
government, language, and customs, they bear a striking resemblance to the Ma-
ronites. Religion constitutes the difference between them. That of the Druzes
long a problem ; but the mystery is at length unveiled." He proceeds to say,
that in the year of the Hegira 386 (A. D. 996), the third caliph of the race of
the Fatmites, called Hakem-b'amr-ellah, succeeded to the throne of Egypt; and,
after extraordinary enormities, was supported by an impostor, called Mahommed
ben Ismael, in an attempt to cause a belief of his being God himself. They fell