34 FRIENDS WORTH KNOWING. 
merous bezoars and amulets which were supposed to pro- 
tect the body from evil influences, and to impart health and 
activity. ‘The accounts of these virtues, copied from one 
author to another, have perpetuated the early superstitions 
until it is difficult to overcome them by the light of the 
present day, when, even in England, snails are supposed to 
possess a useful power in cases of lung trouble. <A full re- 
lation of all the absurdities which gained credence would 
form a curious and marvellous page in the history of cre- 
dulity. They have, also, from very early times, been used 
in the preparation of cosmetics; and no longer than two 
or three centuries ago the water procured from them by 
distillation was much celebrated, and employed by ladies 
to impart whiteness and freshness to the complexion. 
Finally, I hear that there is celebrated in Rome, even now, 
a midsummer festival, upon which occasion all family feuds 
may be made up, or any differences between friends easily 
adjusted, since that is the spirit of the day; and a sign or 
token of this renewed friendship and good-will is the pres- 
ent of a snail from one party to the other, or an exchange 
of mollusks between them. The symbolism and virtue 
reside in the alleged amicable influence of the head and 
“horns”—why, perhaps comparative mythologists may be 
able to tell us. 3 
