the Mohammedan weekly Sabbath, commencing at the preceding sunset. The Mohammedans regard it as the chief of all days. The public services, which occupy only a portion of the day, the rest being devoted to business and recreation, commence at noon, and besides the usual prayers there are additional ceremonies performed, including the reading and reciting of parts of the Koran from the reading-desk, and the delivery of sermons from the pulpit by the Imams.