-
Articles/Ads
Article ORIENTAL APOLOGUES. ← Page 7 of 7 Article RIDICULOUS CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS IN DIFFERENT NATIONS. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Oriental Apologues.
language , is ten times more tormenting to me than all my punishment .
Ridiculous Customs And Superstitions In Different Nations.
RIDICULOUS CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS IN DIFFERENT NATIONS .
WHEN the warriors of Congo advance towards an enemy , if they meet in their way a hare , a crow , or any other fearful animal , they say it is the genius of the enemy come to inform them of their fear , and then they fight with intrepidity ; but if they hear the crowing of a cock at any other hour than is usual , they say it is a certain presage of defeat , and therefore always resolve not to expose themselves to it . If the crowing of a cock is at the same time heard by both armies , no courage can detain them ; for , being equally frighted at the fatal omen , they instantl y disband themselves , and both sides retire .
When the Savage of New Orleans marches against the enemy with the most intrepidity and resolution , a dream , or the barking of a dog , is sufficient to make him return home . The Mahometans believe that a restive camel perceived Mahomet at a distance , and came to him , and fell on his knees before the prophet , who , stroking him , ordered him to amend his life , and that Mahomet afterwards fed
30 , 000 men with a sheep ' s liver ; that he- afterwards cut the moon in two , made the mountains dance , and a roasted shoulder of mutton speak . The Mussulmen assert , that the performance of such amazing prodigies , so much above all human strength and cunning , was absolutely necessary to Convince stubborn minds ' . The inhabitants of Madagascar believe there is a good arid an evil iritbefore
sp ; they eat they make an offering to God , and another to the Demon ; they begin with the latter , and throwing a piece oil the right side , say , " That for thee my Lord Devil ; " they afterwards throw apiece on the leftside , saying ,- " That for thee , my Lord God ; " they make no prayers to' either . In the city of Bantam the inhabitants offer their first fruits to'th
e evil spirit , and nothing to the Deity , who ( they say ) is- great and glorious , and stands in no need of their offerings . In the kingdom of Juida , in Africa , the people give no assistance to the sick ; they cure themselves as well as they can , arid when they are recovered , live in the same cordiality with those who had abandoned them .
• The inhabitants of Congo kill ; those whom they imagine past recovery , to shorten their pains and agonies ., In the Isle of Formoso , when a man is dangerously ill , they put a slip knot about his neck and strangle him , to' save him from a lingering illness . The women of Mezurado are burnt with the bodies of their hus
- bands ; they themselves demand the honour of being led to the pile , but . at the same time use all their endeavours to prevent it . The women of the Gelons are obliged by the laws to do all the woiks that require strength , as building of houses and cultivating the VOL . V . C c .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Oriental Apologues.
language , is ten times more tormenting to me than all my punishment .
Ridiculous Customs And Superstitions In Different Nations.
RIDICULOUS CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS IN DIFFERENT NATIONS .
WHEN the warriors of Congo advance towards an enemy , if they meet in their way a hare , a crow , or any other fearful animal , they say it is the genius of the enemy come to inform them of their fear , and then they fight with intrepidity ; but if they hear the crowing of a cock at any other hour than is usual , they say it is a certain presage of defeat , and therefore always resolve not to expose themselves to it . If the crowing of a cock is at the same time heard by both armies , no courage can detain them ; for , being equally frighted at the fatal omen , they instantl y disband themselves , and both sides retire .
When the Savage of New Orleans marches against the enemy with the most intrepidity and resolution , a dream , or the barking of a dog , is sufficient to make him return home . The Mahometans believe that a restive camel perceived Mahomet at a distance , and came to him , and fell on his knees before the prophet , who , stroking him , ordered him to amend his life , and that Mahomet afterwards fed
30 , 000 men with a sheep ' s liver ; that he- afterwards cut the moon in two , made the mountains dance , and a roasted shoulder of mutton speak . The Mussulmen assert , that the performance of such amazing prodigies , so much above all human strength and cunning , was absolutely necessary to Convince stubborn minds ' . The inhabitants of Madagascar believe there is a good arid an evil iritbefore
sp ; they eat they make an offering to God , and another to the Demon ; they begin with the latter , and throwing a piece oil the right side , say , " That for thee my Lord Devil ; " they afterwards throw apiece on the leftside , saying ,- " That for thee , my Lord God ; " they make no prayers to' either . In the city of Bantam the inhabitants offer their first fruits to'th
e evil spirit , and nothing to the Deity , who ( they say ) is- great and glorious , and stands in no need of their offerings . In the kingdom of Juida , in Africa , the people give no assistance to the sick ; they cure themselves as well as they can , arid when they are recovered , live in the same cordiality with those who had abandoned them .
• The inhabitants of Congo kill ; those whom they imagine past recovery , to shorten their pains and agonies ., In the Isle of Formoso , when a man is dangerously ill , they put a slip knot about his neck and strangle him , to' save him from a lingering illness . The women of Mezurado are burnt with the bodies of their hus
- bands ; they themselves demand the honour of being led to the pile , but . at the same time use all their endeavours to prevent it . The women of the Gelons are obliged by the laws to do all the woiks that require strength , as building of houses and cultivating the VOL . V . C c .