Item 01: Ralph Ingram Moore letters, 10 February 1907-15 March 1918 - Page 174
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[Page 174]
8.
Of all the pillars in this Mosque, no two are exactly the same. It is said that Amru collected a single pillar from each of the old Byzantine mosques. Two other pillars are also of great interest. These do not support any of the roof being only about 4 foot high and let into the side. It has been the belief for many many generations, in fact since the mosque was erected that the two pillars of very hard stone had the property of curing sickness provided the patient sat in front of them and licked one of the pillars until his tongue bled. It hardly seems credible, considering the hardness of the stone that the countless licks should have produced holes fully an inch deep by four long and two wide in each of the pillars. These have now been railed off.
Still speaking of pillars there are two more of great interest. This large pair are just inside the main gateway. They are fairly close together and the legend has it that only honest men can pass between them. I did not realize before that I had to nearly break a rib to be honest. When half way through I thought it would be toss up whether I would be honest and pass through or dishonest and remain there for ever. James who is nearly six foot went through easily, but he is thin.