106 * COBRA DE CAPELLO. 
follows every motion. Thus, by repeated lessons, 
the serpent is at length trained to the task ; and as 
it no longer attempts to bite, the juggler ventures 
to threaten it with his hand, and always accom- 
panies this exercise with a kind of music ; from 
whence it has been very improperly named a dance. 
We are assured from the most respectable autho- 
rity, that not only these snakes are carried about in 
the manner above mentioned, but also serpents of 
large dimensions ; and the gentlemen to whom we 
allude, and who resided some years in India, had 
frequent opportunities of seeing these jugglers 
carry a large snake in a basket, from which he 
uncoiled himself at the command of his master, 
and was conveyed round to the spectators upon the 
shoulders of the men. 
No kind of heathen worship has been more popu- 
lar, or of higher antiquity, than that of the serpent ; 
nor have any of the eastern nations more supersti- 
tious notions respecting it than the Gentoo Indians, 
who have taken this noxious reptile for the object 
of their religious veneration. The temples or pago- 
das of their gods are adorned with their images ; 
and if the animal should enter the house of one of 
these people, the master first entreats it respectfully 
to leave his dwelling, but finding it deaf to his en- 
treaties he offers it milk and other food ; and if all 
will not do, he repairs to the Brahmin, who repre- 
sents to the serpent the motives which ought to 
make him quit the house ; and, among other absur- 
dities, dwells upon the great respect and adoration 
