The Wilmingtonian., 1824-02-19

priest clasped him in his arms, put his
hand gently upon his back, lifted him
from the ground, and recited some pray-e
ers. His agitation gradually subsidized, ana
he became completely exhausted, in which
state he continued few moments. l.
The Turks who were present at this ap-
surd and disgusting ceremony, were tullyIl
convinced OF the reality of this religious
frenzy. 1t is certainly true that, whether
reality or imposture, it was Impossible TO-
express the transports OF fury and mad
ness in a more striking manner, or to see
a man in more terrific situation.
The great number Of these serpent eat-
ers had induced some authors, and parti-
cularly DIR. Shaw, to believe that they SUD-
sisted entirely upon these reptiles Ac-
cording to this English traveller, there are
at Cairo, and in its environs more than
tour thousand persons who live on nothlngI
but serpents. This, however, is a mistake;l
serpents are not a dish among the Saadls;I
and, if in their ceremonies they gnaw al
flew raw and alive, they are far from ma
king them an article of food.
In Egypt these men are very much res
'pected; but among the Turks OF the parts
of the Ottoman empire, they are only OBJ
jects of laughter.
/ had an opportunity of conversing with
a sheick, or priest of this sect. tie was
of an open disposition for though he as
|sured me that several of his fraternity had
an extraordinary power over serpents, be
lconfcssed that he had not the smallest
claim to it; but on the contrary, was ex-
tremely afraid of these animals. BY him
| was informed of some particulars which
| shall relate. In order to have serpents
ready, upon every occasion, they keep
; them in their houses but they previously
take the precauton of extracting their
steeth. If any person be bitten by SER
). pent, he runs directly to Saad, who NUT
tiers few words over the wound, scarf
jfies it with razor, and after having filled
:. his mouth with lemonjuice, sucks the
blood from it repeatedly. These men also
y cure the serpent's breath, an appelaton
given by them to the !nfanmatory pus-
' tules which sometimes break out on those
who sleep in the open air, with any part
Of the body uncovered, and which they
pretend are caused by the poisonous breath
Iof n serpent. The remedy they employ
is oil of sesamum mixed with ceruse, or
white lead. With this inement they rub
the pustules, never failing, at the same
time, to mutter a few words, without
n which every remedy would be perfectly
. ineilectua. Such is the lot of mankind
,fthat there is no nation in the universe, Of
IS whose history, many pages are not appro'
20 priated to superstition.
m Extraordinary discovery ofa Murder.
" Almost the last case of note in which thu
attorture was used in France before thu
at Revolution, was one OF a very extraor,linu
IN Iry nature. 1t is observed. by the Frenc
e. Editor of the collection of cases from whic
he The following is taken, that the most triv
era circumstances may some times be
of considerable importance in the invcstlg
nd ton of truth, but especially in judicial II
OF. quiries, where trfling incident may ser'
vs. to clear the character or save the life OF
ayIindividual, by explaining doubtful or su
ouIpicous appearances. This observation
te- considers is fully exemplifed in the follo'
ra- ins case
err An English Catholic lady named Burto
raj when travelling second time to take Il
is waters of Bagneres, stopped at an mn IN
lrt. small town, where she bad lodged 7
led preceding year. There vas but one 10
ais, Bile -5etdcn room unoccepled, ond NJ
and Burton was obliged TO put up with that
all the only accommodation which could
obtained for herself and her watins-ma
We Tie latter, after she had attended !
du- mistress. prepared to retire herself, |
Ter. when nearly undresscd, caught gimp
in of her figure in a large inclined mir
ion. which stood opposite the bed. Wht
the charaed with her own appearance,
ing ord. Z" 81, Ia ppau blanche! ah! Ia jot
val. jambe!" what fair skin! what Iar
ame .ume leg y escaped from her. with some
ons. thcr expressions ofvanity perfectly matt
! Of al in French girl of her aye. At la
am pleased and satisfied with herself, she
ex- Tired to rest, and being fatigued with
ters. days Journey, soon fell into prolou
-selfsleep. When she awoke in the morn
t we she approached the bed Of her mistr'
sion and drew aside the curtains for the purp
aadi of waking her. Judge what was her :
d by prise and horror on bcholding the cor
d in of her mistress swimming in blood.
was uttered piercing cry. and instantly
reci- backwards deprived OF sense. The la