{ i*« ) 



their fupplications, and in affiicTiou 

 life various endeavours to avert, or ap- 

 peafe, their malevolence ; while the ad- 

 oration of the fupreme Deity is intirely 

 neglected. 



In-almoft every family there is a per- 

 fon con fee rated to this fervice, who 

 unites in himfelf the facerdotal and me- 

 dical characters. Thefe are called Peii's, 

 or Symmetiea, and are believed, by 

 the laity, to have a particular influence 

 with thefe Vow a boas, not only for avert- 

 ing their difpleafjre from particular ob- 

 jects, but in drawing down their venge- 

 ance upon fuch perfons as they pleafe : 

 a belief, which thefe Peii's ineeifantly 

 cultivate, from felf-interefted principles, 

 which have ever been found inherent in 

 all orders of men, whether in a ftate of 

 nature or of civilization. When, there- 

 fore, a perfon is fick, or wounded, ap- 

 plication is immediately made to a Sym- 



metie* 



