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 2) (London, 1832)

AND THE GENII. 327

his possession, they were bound to obey his
commands. He once heard of a king's daugh-
ter, who was young and beautiful; he therewith
summoned the Genii, and required that they
should convey the princess to him. They re-
luctantly obeyed his command, and the princess
was the Sheikh's unwilling companion in the
mosque. On another occasion, he desired the
Genii to bring without delay, to the ground in
front of his present abiding place, a very curious
mosque situated many leagues distant, the
stones of which were so nicely cemented toge-
ther, that no trace of the joining could be dis-
covered. The Genii received this command
with regret, but they were obliged to obey, and
departed from the Sheikh's presence to execute
his unworthy orders.

" It happened that the mosque which the
Sheikh coveted was the retreat of a righteous
man, who had separated from the world to
serve his God, venerable in years and devout
in his duties. The Genii commenced their
labour of removing the mosque; the good man
who was at his devotions within, fancied an