The Wilmingtonian., 1824-02-19
THE SERPENT EATERS.
From sonnoni's Travels in Upper EgypV

from oonnohls raves III upper bbyP" l
The race of the Psilli, people who.v
were pursuaded that they possessed the !
power of setting serpents at defiance, of
charming them, Of making these reptiles
follow them at their call, and of curing T
their bites, has been perpetuated in Egypt.
There exists sect called Saadis, from
the name Of their founder, saint highly
venerated among the Mahometans of that
country. This Saadi had an uncle, a great
man in Syria. Having one day sent him
for some branches of the bushes in the de-
sert, when the lad had cut the faggot, he
was very much at loss to tic it. After
frutless search, he bethought himself of
knotting together several serpents, and
with this living chord he bound his faggot
The uncle, delighted with his nephew'>
acuteness, said to him Well, you may
now make your way in the world. for you
are more knowing than me-" Immediate
" on this, the ingenious youth began ira
yelling about the country, charming SER
penis by his wonderful and supernatural
skill; and he had great number of dis
ciples to whom he communicated his art.
His tomb is near Damascus; it is filled
with serpents and other venolnous animals
among which a person maybe down and
sleep, without their doing hm the small
est injury.
Such is the superstitious origin Of We
ry numerous sect in Egypt, each inhvidu
al of which inherits the skill of its founder
Eyerv year they celebrate his festival II
manner analogous to the institution
They march in procession through in
streets, each holding in his hand living
serpent, which he bites, gnaws, and swai
lows by piece-meal, making at the sam
time irightiul grimaces, and cuntortions
But this festival which l was DESTROYS q
seeing, was celebrated only in the sum
mer; aud l was extremely anxious to eS
anime closely one ut these serpent-eater
On this occasion NJ. Forenti and myse
had recourse to the same means that -
i.s,i employed respecting the crcumclsio
,is 'nediation Of a Turk y and as Saat
came y my apartments, accompanied b
pries sfhis sect. The latter carried i
ti.s 3u~"e1 a large serpent, which he W;
continually handling. After he had rec
tsG prayer hc delivered it to the Saat
observed that the reptiles teeth had bee
diaw0 however, it was very lively, al
Of dlsky green aud copper colour
Eur Siadi, with muscular hand, Sc
ed the serpent which entw'Ded itself rou
lis naked ara. lie began to be agitatc
w. countenance changed; his eyes roll
Uttered horrible cries bit the amin
II ne head, aud tore off piece, VIII
te sAw him chew and swallow. At t
'r,'nent his agitation became convnls,'
II, ho~i,ngs redoubled, his limbs with
II, aspect bore the mark Of madness, ;
Is mouth distended by horrid grima
Mas covered with foam. From time
fine he devouved fresh pieces Of the
tile. Three men in vain exerted th
selves to hold him !. throwing his arms
lently about upon all sides, and strik
every thing within his reach. To a,
him, NJ. Forenti and myself were so
tines obliged to cling to the wall, to
him ras: and escape his blows. We C
have wished the maniac far enough
Az length the priest took the serpent (
hM but his fury and his convuls
vess f"t at FIRST appeased he bit