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. 



