



MIRACULOUS CURES. 



36*5 



unless she is in return well paid for her 

 trouble. * 



As the road from the Sertam to the sea-shore 

 was by Jaguaribe, I saw many of the travellers y 

 I conversed with many wealthy persons, whose 

 sole errand was to offer part of their possessions, 

 upon condition of relief from the malady under 

 which they suffered. The patrimony of this 

 church is now considerable, from the numerous 

 donations which have been made ; some of these 

 have been advanced on credit, the donors being 

 fully confident of repayment in the manner 

 which they desire ; others have been made, 

 owing to the persons who gave them having 

 been really cured ; — faith has done what medi- 

 cine could not do. Such has been the reliance 

 upon the efficacy of the prayers which were 

 offered up, and upon the power of the Lady, 

 that the probability of disappointment has never 

 occurred to them - y and when the disorder pro- 

 ceeds more from the imagination than from the 

 body, 1 should suppose that a cure may be 

 effected, much in the same manner that in other 

 countries cures are said to be performed by me- 

 dicinal waters j of which, although the qualities 



• An old Portuguese, whose faith in the intercession of 

 saints could not be very strong, being asked for alms to assist 

 in the decoration of an image, refused to give any thing, and 

 added, " The saints are in a much better situation than 1 

 am ; they don't want any assistance from me."' 





