the name given to the head doctors of the law of the Koran in Turkey, of whom there is one in every large town. The authority of the mufti is very great in the Ottoman empire; for even the Sultan himself, if he would preserve any appearance of religion, cannot, without hearing his opinion, put any person to death, or so much as inflict any corporal punishment. In all actions, especially criminal ones, his opinion is required by giving him a writing in which the case is stated under feigned names, and which he subscribes with the words, "He shall (or shall not) be punished," without assigning any reason for his judgment. Such outward honour is paid to the mufti, that the Grand Signior himself rises up and advances seven steps to meet him when he comes into his presence. The mufti of Constantinople, or "Sheikh-ul-Islam" (Chief of the Elect), is the chief functionary of the Turkish church, and has a jurisdiction over the muftis of the provinces. He holds his office at the will of the Sultan.