82 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK. i. 



and frightful, sometimes representing toads and other 

 odious reptiles; but more frequently the human face 

 horribly distorted; a proof that they considered them, 

 not as benevolent, but evil, Powers; as objects of 

 terror, not of admiration and love. 



To keep alive this sacred and awful prejudice in 

 the minds of the multitude, and heighten its influ- 

 ence, their Bohitos or priests, appropriated a conse- 

 crated house in each village, wherein the Zemi was 

 invoked and worshiped. Nor was it permitted to the 

 people at large, at all times, to enter, and on unim- 

 portant occasions approach the dread object of their 

 adoration. The Bohitos undertook to be their mes- 

 sengers and interpreters, and by the efficacy of their 

 prayers to avert the dangers which they dreaded. The 

 ceremonies exhibited on these solemnities, were well 

 calculated to extend the priestly dominion, and confirm 

 the popular subjection. In the same view, the Bohi- 

 tos added to their holy profession, the practice of phy- 

 sic, and they claimed likewise the privilege of edu- 

 cating the children of the first rank of people ;||- -a 

 combination of influence which, extending to the 

 nearest and dearest concerns both of this life and the 

 next, rendered their authority irresistible. 



With such power in the priesthood, it may well be 

 supposed, that the alliance between church and state, 

 was not less intimate in these islands, than in the 

 kingdoms of Europe. As in many other nations 



I! Martyr, 



