SALUTATION. -IN VARIOUS.NATIONS. - 
way of crucifying by fastening the criminal with nails, one through 
each hand, and one through both feet, or one through each of them ; for 
this was not always performed in the same manner. The ancients 
sometimes represent Jesus Christ crucified with four nails, and some ^ 
times with three. The criminal was fixed to the cross quite naked* 
and in all probability the Saviour of the world was not used with any 
greater tenderness than others upon whom this punishment was 
inflicted. The soldiers divided his clothes among, them, and. cast 
lots for his tunic, which is an under garment worn over the skin like 
a shirt. The text of the gospel shews clearly that Jesus Christ was 
fastened to the cross with nails ; and the Psalmist, xxii. 16, had fore- 
told long before, that they should pierce his hands and his feet ; 
but there are great disputes concerning the number of these nails. 
The -Greeks represent our Saviour as fastened to the cross with four 
nails, (in which Gregory of Tours agrees with them,) one at each hand 
and foot. But several are of opinion that our Saviour’s hands and 
feet w'ere pierced with three nails only ; viz. one at each hand, and 
one through both his feet ; and the custom of the Latins is rather 
for this last opinion, for the generality of the old crucifixes made in 
the Latin churches have only three nails. 
Normus thinks that our Saviour’s arms were besides bound fast to 
the cross with chains ; and St, Hilary speaks of the cords wherewith 
he was tied to it. Sometimes they who were fastened upon the cross 
lived a long while in that condition. St. Andrew is said to have con- 
tinued three days alive upon it. . Eusebius speaks of certain martyrs 
in Egypt who were kept upon the cross till they were starved to death. 
Pilate was amazed at Jesus Christ’s dying so soon ; because naturally 
he must have lived longer, if it had not been in his power to lay down 
his life, and take it up again. The thighs of the two thieves who 
were crucified with our Saviour, were broken, to hasten their death, 
that their bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath- 
day, and to comply with the law^ of Moses, which forbids the bodies 
to be left there after sun-set. But among other nations, they were 
sutFered to remain upon the cross a long time. Sometimes they were 
devoured alive by birds and beasts of prey. Guards were appointed 
to observe that none of their friends or relations should take them 
down and bury them. The Roman soldiers who had crucified Jesus 
Christ and the two thieves, continued near the crosses till the bodies 
were taken down and buried. 
. Modes of Salutation in various Countries. 
Greenlanders have none, and laugh at the idea of one person 
being inferior to another. 
Islanders near the Philippines take a person’s hand or foot, and 
rub it over their face, 
Laplanders apply their noses strongly against the person they salute. 
In New Guinea they place leaves upon the head of those they 
salute. 
In the Straits of the Sound they raise the left foot of the person 
they salute, passing it gently over the right leg, and thence over the 
■'tace. : 
