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[Illustration:

CHAMBERS'S JOURNAL

OF

POPULAR

LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART.

Fourth Series

CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS.

NO. 718.      SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1877.      PRICE 1½_d._]




THE GREEN FLAG OF THE PROPHET.


Since the commencement of the war between Russia and Turkey, the world
has several times been startled by the announcement that the 'Flag of
the Prophet' was about to be unfurled in the streets of Stamboul. Such
an event, if it should happen (which may heaven avert), would proclaim
a crusade in which all true Mussulmans would be bound to take an active
part, and to fight against Christianity in every part of the world.
They may be in India, Arabia, Egypt, or wherever else their scattered
race has found a home; the raising of the green standard is a call
which none may disobey without, as the Koran lays it down, sacrificing
all his hopes of Paradise.

This fearful appeal to all the worst passions of the Eastern races
hangs like a menace over the Mohammedan world; and if the word was
once uttered and the dread flag unfurled, there is no telling to what
sanguinary excesses it might lead an enthusiastic and half-savage
people. It may be of interest to our readers if, under these
circumstances, we endeavour to make them acquainted with the origin
and history of a banner which has not seen the light of day since the
Empress Catharine of Russia attempted to reinstate Christianity in the
City of the Sultans, and which once unfurled, would set a whole world
ablaze.

There have been many flags or signals used by various nations at
different crises in their history to incite the peoples to battle on
behalf of religions, dynast