Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

ANECDOTE OF PILGRIMS. 217

ferent mind from the devotee, and politely re-
jected the offer of the powder by which he was
to acquire riches, declaring, that the possession
of such an article would rob him of the best
treasure he enjoyed, namely, the most perfect
reliance on Him, by whom the birds of the air
are fed from day to day without labour or care,
and who had hitherto fed him both in the city
and in the desert; and that in this trust he
had comforts and consolations which the whole
world cotild not grant him : ' My God, in whom
I trust will never desert me whilst I rely on
Him alone for succour and support.'"

My excellent friend says, such pilgrims as
the one described may pass through the haunts
of the Bedouins without fear or sorrow, and they
are always respected. The next anecdote I am
about to relate will develope more particularly
the Arab's natural disposition, and how neces-
sary it is for men really to be that they would
seem, when placed by circumstances within
their reach. Some of the parties were known
to my venerable relative.