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[Page 42]
the reason why it is called the Blue mosque is because of the beautiful dome of that colour. Just close to here is another very fine mosque & you can see where Napoleon shot at it with cannon balls, one of these balls is still sticking in the stone wall. The finest mosque of all is Mohamed Ali, & it is a most beautiful building inside, before you enter any of the Moslem places of worship, a Christian dog has to put on a big pair of slippers, oreor else he would pollute the sacred place just outside the mosque in a flagged courtyard is a fountain, where all the Moslems wash themselves before going in to pray, as you enter the mosque the first thing that will strike you is the size of the floor space, & the height of the building from the floor
to the top of the dome, the floor is covered with a beautiful dark red carpet it is so thick that you can't hear any one walking on it, & suspended from the dome is the largest chandelier that ever I am likely to see, there are thousands of glass bulbs, & lamps of all colours & shades on it, the chandelier is suspended from the roof by a silver chain, every little thing inside this building is of the best, & all magnificently worked, gold silver & ivory is used as if it was to be picked up like stones, there are 2 or 3 splendid tombs in here of the Sultans relations they are inscribed all over with gold writing, & the framework is of beautiful mahogany & ebony, but I think the roof & domes are the prettiest, & have to be seen to be appreciated.