MY object in the following pages has been to give a narrative of each pilgrim's adventures, and a summary of his observations of the people of Mecca and the condition of the city. These are the things that change from age to age. What do not change are the rites of the Pil grimage and the appearance of the Great Mosque. Having, therefore, described these in the opening chapters, I have omitted, in the case of each individual traveller, all but personal and charac teristic touches.