Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 1.djvu/29

Rh forward the interests of the See of Rome throughout Turkey. Some remarks will also be made on the missions of Dissenting Societies in that empire, and the impolicy and mischief of their interference with ecclesiastical concerns proved, from the necessary tendency of their doctrines and principles to produce latitudinarianism in religious belief, and never-ending schisms, among the Christians of the East.

Familiar intercourse with the Yezeedees, or Devil Worshippers as they are sometimes called, afforded the author frequent opportunities for collecting many particulars respecting their social habits and customs, as also of their religious rites and ceremonies, which may throw light upon the origin of this singular people. Among these details will be found a description of the Melek Taoos, or Brazen Cock, no authentic account of which has hitherto been published, and of the processions and festivities connected with the worship of that idol. Having been fortunate enough to obtain from one of their Sheikhs the loan of the only MS. which they appear to possess bearing on their creed, the author was also enabled by the aid of this important document to fortify the hypothesis which connected the tenets of the modern Yezeedees with those of the ancient Magi of Persia, and the results of this investigation, if not perfect or satisfactory, may at least serve to guide the researches of future travellers and scholars.

The geography of the route as laid down in the map accompanying this work is almost entirely drawn up from personal notice. It has no claim whatever to scientific exactness, though pains have been taken to render it as correct as the means and capabilities of the author enabled him to make it. The position of many of the principal localities is borrowed from the labours of former travellers, who have fixed it by accurate astronomical observation, and chiefly from Ainsworth; but the intermediate spaces have been filled up with the aid of a compass, a good watch, a careful noting of the time spent in journeying from place to place, and particular attention to the general features of the country.

One word with regard to the occasional strictures passed upon the statements and opinions of other travellers through the districts visited by the author. He has gladly availed himself of