do all such as are afflicted with any incurable distemper, plunged in inextricable difficulties, or harrassed with implacable persecutions. They observe the ceremony of circumcision, and if any one should reside amongst them that has the misfortune not to be circumcised, he would have his hand cut off as soon as he was discovered; and his own wife, on such an occasion, would make no scruple to betray him. An uncircumcised person must not presume to enter into any of their Moquamos, or temples; and as to the perpetration of any particular crimes, the delinquents are punished by their hadomas, according to the nature and enor tain, and put them away again at pleasure; that is, they dismiss then without the least formality whatsoever. They exchange also their partners, and take in others for the time limited and agreed on; perhaps till absence has whetted palled appetites. But nothing surely can be more singular and remarkable, than the method a father takes to assign or turn over his child to his friend or acquaintance. When he is disposed to discharge himself of such an incumbrance, he nominates this or that person to be his guardian; and such father, by adoption, is obliged to maintain and bring the boy up as if he was his own. Children thus transferred, are called the sons of fire and smoke; because these poor bar-mity of the offence. A thief, tho' pursued, is se-barous creatures, observing that the procreation of children is the natural result of that union to which the indulgence of their sensual appetites alone inclines them, determine, after they have gratified their passions, to transfer and make over the fruits of their labour to some other person; and for that purpose, he who is so disposed, kindles a large fire in his cavern, and throws some particular green wood upon it. As soon as it begins to rise, he runs out of his little cottage or cave and proclaims, as loud as he can stretch his throat, that the child with which his wife is pregnant, is the right and property of such a neighbour. He accordingly brings up the child thus presented to him, and pays the like compliment to some other acquain tance. There is no manner of difference, in the opinion of these islanders, between a dying person and one actually deceased. For which reason, such as lie at the point of death, are carried directly to their graves; and their nearest and dearest relations perform this last friendly office for them; and those who are thus expiring, having, as we reasonably suppose, shewn the like indulgence to others, never murmur at such treatment, or think it any ways cruel or unjust. As soon as they perceive their dissolution drawing nigh, they call their relations round about them, in order to exhort them not to renounce the religion of their forefathers; nor to have any familiar intercourse or correspondence with strangers, and to avenge them of their enemies. Nay, sometimes the person thus giving up the ghost, produces a long list of those who have injured him, with the particular causes of his just resentment. Having thus vented his spleen, he departs this life with all the calmness and serenity imaginable. This is generally the lot of those who are ignorant, and incapable of serious reflection, and they sink into the arms of death without the least reluctance or concern, when life becomes an incumbrance. And so No. 21. cure if he has the good fortune to fly for refuge into a Moquamo, and find there upon the spot some friend who is willing to be his guardian and protector; such person is looked upon as godfather to, or surety for, the criminal. But if no such friend. appears in the temple, he is dragged away from his asylum, and his hand is immediately cut off. The greatest act of complaisance that is practised among. these Beduins, is to kiss the shoulder of the person whom they intend to honour, and the same ceremony is observed in several provinces of Alys sinia. To what we have already remarked, we beg leave to add, That, if we may rely on the veracity of some missionary Jesuits, there is abundance of Judaism comprised in the religion of these people. These fathers, however, ought to have descended to particulars; for there are no fewish rites and ceremones, as we can find, in vogue with the Beduins but that of circumcision. These Jesuits, moreover, add in their narration, that the Beduins are strictly enjoined, not so much as to touch or taste any hens, or other fowl, of what species or kind soever. Another relation assures us, that they obey the evan-gelical law; that St. Thomas converted them to the Christian faith; that they are very tractable, and fond of being instructed, and that they are well affected to, and have a peculiar regard for, the Catholic religion, and the ceremonies of the Romish. church. This relation adds also, that these islanders have a peculiar veneration for the cross, that all of them in general wear it about their necks, and in. conclusion, that they make use of the Chaldee language in their divine service. Iris surprising that the Jesuits should so far attempt to impose upon us, as to make those who have no better information, believe, that professed Heathens are well affected to Christimity. The imposition might inded have been stil carried ou had it not been for the most exact accounts 6 L. have been brought us, both by English and French navigators. That there were once churches in many of those parts cannot be doubted, but that is no reason why there should be any remains of Christianity left, it being inconsistent with the people's being gross Pagans. We are assured, that the Christian religion was in the early ages after, or during the times of the apostles propagated, in many countries where Paganism now prevails, but whenever men abuse the benefits conferred upon them, and slight the offers of grace and mercy, God may, in his infinite wisdom and justice, remove the light of the gospel from among thein, and suffer Heathen darkness to overshadow them. It is the unhappy condition of fallen nature, never to know the value of any thing till deprived of it, and this is not confined to religion alone; it is to be met with under all circumstances of life, whether the persons are high or low, rich or poor. Thus the voluptuous person does not know the benefit of health, till by a continual round of debauchery, he has rendered himself incapable of enjoying it. He may indeed wish for the return of that which he Little regarded while he had it in possession, but in vain does he even wish it, for his emaciated body mocks the power of medicine, and he sinks down on a sick bed, a poor, helpless creature, without any person being able to administer to his comfort. In the same manner, those who have been favoured with the gospel, and made an improper use of such an inestimable blessing, may probably wish for them when taken from them. But God in his infinite wisdom knows, that were they to receive it again, they would turn like the dog to his vomit, and like the sow to her wallowing in the mire. There is no doubt but God has times and seasons fixed when he will look down in compassion on the Heathen nations, and once more visit them with the light of the gospel. But these times being unknown to us, we should rest satisfied that every thing will be conducted by unerring wisdom. The Jesuits, however, should never have amused us with idle tales, because nothing can appear more beautiful than the truth when told in its primitive simplicity. The Religion of the Islanders of Madagascar. WE have already taken notice that there were once Christians in this island, and that there are still some feint remains of that religion to be found. The Christian religion like a refreshing shower, spreads its influence far and wide; men flocked under its shelter; the darkness that had long clouded the human mind was removed; light sprung up in its room, and those who were before without God in the world, became the willing captives to the preaching of the gospel. But this is too melancholy a subject to dwell on, and therefore we shall proceed to give the best and most authentic account of these islanders that could be procured, and altho' we do not dwell on the marvelous, yet we shall adhere to the truth. Altho' they are all Pagans, there are, notwithstanding, the prints or footsteps of Mahometanism and Judaism to be visibly discerned amongst them. They ackowledge one God, the creator of all things, and they honour and revere him, and speak of him with the profoundest veneration and respect. Tho' they have no idols or temples, yet they offer up sacrifices to the Supreme Being. However, to ingratiate themselves into the favour of the devil, they compliment him with the first morsel of their victims; and so make him a partner with the deity. From whence it is evident, that these islanders acknowledge two principles, the one good, and the other evil. This notion was transmitted to them by the natives of the continent, who, in all probability, had it from the inhabitants of Asia. But be that as it will, those of Madagascar, acknowledge that God created the heavens, the earth, the spirits, and all living creatures, and according to their account, there are seven heavens, They are of opinion, that God is the cause of all good; and the devil, on the other hand, the author of all the misfortunes that attend mankind. For which cason they fear him, make their oblations to him, and even with respect to their sacrifices, give him the preference before the deity. It is a principle, as we have before observed, which we find for the generalitytrue, that mankind are not so vigorous in their pursuit after that which is good, as they are cautious how to avoid that which is evil. Dian-Mananh is also the object of their divine worship. Heis the god, or vice-deity of riches, and by consequence bears a very near affinity to the Plutus of the ancients. Gold is the symbol or hieroglyphic of this divinity. Upon seeing it, they take it directly in their hands, and hold it above the heads, with all the veneration and respect imaginable, and then salute it. Nay, there are several of them, who, conscious of having committed some particular sin, dip a piece of gold in a cup full of water, and then drink it up, iinagining, that by such religious act their sin is pardoned and forgiven. They are of opinion, that there are divers orders of of the genii, or spirits; that some of them govern and direct the motion of the heavens, stars and planets; that others have dominion over the air, the meteors, the sea, and all mankind. The doctrine relating to the genii was maintained and supported by all the ancients. We have already shewed, that it is a received notion this day amongst the idolatrous nations, even amongst those of the north of Europe, and those of the new world. Besides these genii, they admit of another order of spirits, who are as invisible as the former, but assume a body whenever they think proper, and appear to those whom they love and respect. These spirits are both male and female: They intermarry, have children, and stand in need of the necessary supports of life, and yet partake not of the infirmities of our nature. However, they die, and are punished or rewarded after their decease, according to their good or bad conduct in this life. These spirits foretel future events, and perform abundance of surprising things, which bear a very near resemblance to what our ancient writers of romances ascribe to the fairies. They imagine, likewise, that there are hobgoblins, phantoms and ghosts. They stand in great awe of the Saccare, that is, the devil, and all the other evil spirits, which they distinguish under different denominations. The Saccare, if we may believe what they assert, appears to them in the form of a fiery dragon, and frequently enters into, and possesses them for fifteen days together. In order to deliver themselves out of his clutches, or at least to relieve them under their misfortunes, they take a javelin, or long spear in their hands, and dance and caper about, wreathing their bodies into a thousand antic and ridiculous postures. All the whole town dance to the beat of drum, round about such persons as are so possessed, observing the same gesticulations as they do, under pretence of affording them, by that means some comfort and consolation. They have some knowledge of the fall of man, the terrestial paradise, and the flood; but their ideas thereof are clouded and obscured by a multitude of ridiculous fables. The same misfortunes attend them with respect to some other ideas, which their ancestors might probably have borrowed from the true religion; but by insensibe degrees have been most shamefully corrupted. They are of opinion, that the devil is the author of sin, and the corruption of human nature. Their faith, as to this particular article, is comprised in a kind of apologue, the sense and meaning whereof is, that the devil had seven children, who committed so many outrages upon earth, that mankind implored the deity to deliver them from this perverse and wicked generation. God heard their supplications, and these seven children established seven capital sins in the world; theft, licentiousness, lying, gluttony, murder pride, and laziness. They have their feasts and fasts, which are solemnized without any regularity, sometimes at one time, and sometimes at another, as occasion offers. They meet together with their whole family very early in the morning, and then regaled themselves with a small quantity of rice, and after that fast till midnight. In this interval they employ themselves in rehearsing and singing the heroic atchievements of their ancestors. At midnight they refresh themselves, and pay their respects to the devil and the deity. They then wash, but more particularly their feet, and chew betel; after which, they lay themselves under some particular vows and obligations, with relation to some particular circumstances, which are of the utmost importance to themselves. One thing, which is the most remarkable in their feasts and fasts, is, that they sacrifice an ox, and sprinkle the whole assembly with its blood, and then make their children lay their hands upon it, imagining that such ceremony will preserve them the ensuing year from all distempers. The sacrificator cuts the victim all in pieces, and throws the first on his right hand, saying, This is the devil's portion; after this, he takes another piece, and throws it on his left hand, saying, This is devoted to the service of the deity; and to conclude, they take a small quantity of the hair of the victim, and tie it round their necks, pronouncing at the same time some mysterious words three times successively. It seems, likewise, according to the account of the author before quoted, that these Islanders practise a kind of libation, in honour of God and the devil, before they drink; and that they offer up their sacrifices of thanksgiving on their prospect of a plentiful harvest. Their rice being ready to be gathered in, they sacrifice a black cow, and throw one part of it into the field, pronouncing at the same time a short form of thanksgiving, and during the continuance of these festival days, they never shed any human blood; but in case any person commits a crime that merits death, he is sentenced to be drowned. In order to have the honour of sacrificing any of their victims, they are obliged to learn a certain prayer, and pronounce some particular words over the instrument, lifting up their eyes at the same time to heaven, which is a lively expression of the intent of the sacrificator. They are likewise so scrupulous in this particular, that they would rather die with hunger, than partake of any beast whatever, slaughtered by a Christian. They They moreover offer up sacrifices when they take possession of any new house, when they are any way indisposed, when they marry, when their wives lie-in, and when any of their friends and acquaintance are buried. Before they depart this life, they make a thorough confession of their sins. Such persons as are advanced in years, and draw near the time of their dissolution, make so general a confession, that they take particular care to mention each individual sin one after another. After this, they order a sacrifice to be made of several oxen, for the expiation of all their transgressions; and all this is accompanied with a solemn benediction on their whole family, and an exhortation, as is customary with old people, and men just dropping into their graves, to lead better lives than they have done before. The confused and imperfect idea which they entertain of Noah, Abraham and Moses; and of David and Jesus Christ; their circumcision, observance of the sabbath, their fasts and confession, and their scruples which we have already mentioned, are all incontestible demonstrations that their religion is a corruption of Christianity and Judaism, intermingled with Mahometanisin, idolatry and supersti tion. near to, or be present at, this holy ordinance; for these people imagine, that should any person so defiled prophane that religious ceremony, the blood of the prepuses of such as should be circumcised would never stop, and that certain death would be the fatal consequence of such a presumption. Another suthing red about them on these solemn occasions. perstitious custom of theirs is, never to wear any On the day appointed for the circumcision, all those who are to be present at the operation, bathe themselves betimes in the morning, and turning themselves towards the east, beating their drums and sounding their country cornets, pronounce some particular form of words, the sense and signification whereof we are at a loss to determine. adapted to the solemnity of the day, and the whole The celebrant, or operator, makes a short prayer, congregation being assembled together at the lapa, about ten in the morning, the drums begin to beat to give notice of the approaching ceremony; and the circumciser, having a skein of white cotton thread twined about his waist. and another about his left arm to wipe his instrument clean with, approaches the children. Thereupon, each father takes his own child into his armis, and altogether make a kind of procession round the lapa, going in at the west door and coming out at the east. After this they walk again in procession before the oxen, that are appropriated for the sacrifice on this solemn occasion, and are laid on the ground with their four feet bound fast together. Each infant, in the next place, touches the right horn of every beast with his left hand, and sits down a moment or two on the backs of these victims. After these processions are over, the circumciser cuts of the children's foreskins, and the uncle, or nearest relation of each respective child, takes the prepuse, and swallows it down in the yolk of an egg. This relation stands in the capacity, as it were, of godfather to the child, but the foreskins, however, of such as have no relations, are thrown upon the ground. The circumciser having thus performed his office, the sacrificator cuts the throats of as many cocks as there are children circumcised, and lets the blood of the fowls trickle down on the mutilated part, mingling the juice of trefoil, or clover grass, with the blood. They expose such children as happen to be born on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, or in the month of April, or in their Lent; the eighth day of the moon; or, in short, in any hour that is overruled by any malignant planet. The ceremony of their circumcision is for the generality performed in the month of May, in the presence of the friends and relations of those who are to be circumised, and a bull is the usual fee for every infant so circumcised. Several days preceding this ceremony, the vigils only excepted, are spent in a variety of amusements, and concluded for the generality, in riot and excess; for it is looked upon as an honour to be drunk on such occasions. The circumciser himself makes one amongst them in these public diversions, but the vigil of the festival is not attended with such intemperance and excess. mothers suspend the legal pleasures of the marriageFathers and bed, and prepare themselves for the celebration of this ceremony with their children. The mothers lie by them in the lapa, which is a hut, or cottage, which their relations erect, and consecrate by the performance of some particular ceremonies therein, a month before the intended day of circumcision. The prohibition of love-enjoyments does not extending their pregnancy, to some female confident; and to the relations only of such as are to be circumcised; bat all maids or wives, married men or batchelors, who are conscious of having indulged themselves in such sensual pleasures, must not presume to draw Such women as draw near the time of their travail, confess all the sins they have been guilty of du Mary, in hopes that she will lend her aid and asmoreover, our author assures us, invoke the Virgin her safe and speedy deliverance. They are obliged sistance at a time of need, and contribute towards to to watch the proper times and seasons for erecting their houses, cutting timber, covering their roofs; and when the building is finished, they wait for the moon, and some propitious hour for the consecration, or the dedication of it, which they call Missavatsi. The proprietor invites all his friends to come and grace the ceremony with their presences, and each of them makes him some present or another, more or less valuable in proportion to his circumstances. They take three formal tours all round the tenement; and the whole company, after such procession, enter into the house, congratulate the proprietor on this joyful occasion, and wish him all the success and happiness in it that he can wish for, or desire. This ceremony is accompanied with the oblation of one or more heifers, the flesh whereof is distributed amongst the company, and intended as a friendly entertainment. - These islanders are all polygamists, and what is very singular and remarkable, is, to have a plurality of wives is expressed in their language by a term which signifies, to create enemies; because several wives of the same husband cannot have the a natu ral love and affection for one another, and this is no doubt as demonstrable an axiom, as any in all Euclid. Moreover, their wives, we are informed, act without any thought or discretion before, as well as after marriage; for they exceed the bounds of all such as would conceal their vices, and have not the least regard to decency or good manners. The repeated lewd practices of a lascivious woman with one or more young fellows, are looked upon only as so many specimens of their dexterity and address; and in short they will never marry a man 'till they have divers undeniable proofs of his strength and manhood, without to be well assured, that he will never degenerate or grow indolent, but be the same man to the very last. Adultery is looked upon as a robery, and fined and assessed as such; but no disgrace attends the The children of a payment of such amerciament. ces. dearments, and presents to their unnatural embraWe have already mentioned, more than once, divers instances of the like obscenity and uncleanness; for we cannot clothe it in softer terms, at least, if we judge of it in the light it presents itself to us at first view. The only plea or excuse that can possibly be made for such a course of life, is, that which those islanders have found out for it; who assured our author, that these Tsecats were a people who, from their infancy, had made a solemn vow out of love to the deity, to continue in a state of celibacy all their lives; that women were the objects of their aversion; that they avoided with the utmost precaution, all familiar converse with them; and that they were guilty of no immodesty in their caresses of those of their sex. This correspondence of theirs, in all probability, may be much of the same nature with the Athenrosera, which father Fitau speaks of, and of which there are several instances to be produced from the ancients.. We have made mention, but very cursorily, of the exposition of their children; a barbarous customr too much practised, and tolerated amongst the ancients. The Ombiasses, who are the astrological physicians and, in all probability, the priests also of the natives of Madagascar, authorise and give a sanction to this irregular practice, by their pretended knowledge and skill in casting the nativities of such children as are just come into the world, or even of such as are but in embryo, and just conceived, and this they do by their false predictions and observations of the planets, on such occasions. This barbarity, however, is not always without exception; for some parents, after they have thus exposed their children, engage their slaves or relations to bring them up; and in such case those children belong to their respective guardians. Others perform their falis for such children as are born under a malignant planet, and on that account have deserved exposition; that is, offer up their sacrifice for them of cocks, or some other living creature, by way of ex 4 wife that is brought to bed after she has been divor-piation. After this, they confine him for half a ced from her first husband, are his properly; at least, if she does not return him his taque, that is, the purchase-money which he advanced on the day of marriage. They have amongst them several effeminate or impotent fellows, either through some natural infirmity which they brought with them into the world, or through their vicious familiarity and converse with other men. But be that as it may, these half-men, these Liberhams, whom they call Tsecats, act inconsistently with their sex, dress in woman's apparel, and allure young fellows by artifices, enNo. 22. day within a hen-coop, in order to accomplish their purification, and free them from the malignity of some dangerous constellation, or the fatal influences of their unhappy star. Without these necessary precautions, the child might be a parricide, a thief, and the most profligate Wilful mis-and abandoned vagabond in nature. carriages, or abortions, are very common in this island; but how should we expect them otherwise amongst a people, who are so ignorant and unpolished; since such expedients are too often prac-tised by the Christians themselves, who have much 6. M. more |