Land and Sea 



goods — for a suitable consideration. And of 

 course you will not marry, or set out on a 

 journey, or take any important step in life 

 without due consultation in the same quarter. 

 One hundred reis, or fivepence, will procure 

 you much disinterested advice. Truly must 

 the wizard, like the professional letter-writer, 

 become the repository of strange secrets. With 

 the productions of the latter we are familiar. 

 There is one of the fraternity who writes 

 English, and revels in a picturesque style. It 

 was something of a surprise to my wife after a 

 good many years of married life to find me 

 described in one of his effusions as her " affec- 

 tionate bridegroom." Such a notable gift of 

 expression, and so fine a contempt for mere 

 facts are wasted here ; they would command a 

 large salary in Fleet Street. 



There is, I think, as elsewhere in Latin 

 countries, a strong pagan survival in the creed 

 of the common people. The ancient gods are 

 not wholly dead, but they are called by other 

 names. Even the Blessed Virgin herself is per- 

 haps not clearly understood to be one Person. 

 If you suffer from rheumatism, you pray to 

 Our Lady of the Mount ; if you are anxious 



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