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the same ceremony; which also prevailed among the Germans, as appears from a letter which the famous pope Gregory the Third sent to their apostle Boniface, directing him expressly how to act in this respect[1]. It is probable that all these people might intend by such a rite to preserve their children from the sorceries and evil charms which wicked spirits might employ against them at the instant of their birth. Several nations of Asia and America have attributed such a power to ablutions of this kind; nor were the Romans without such a custom, though they did not wholly confine it to new-born infants.[2]
I shall not here repeat what I have said above concerning the hardy way of bringing up children in the North. But I cannot omit mentioning the great advantages gained from it in respect to their health and bodily force. The Greek and Latin authors speak with surprize of the size and strength of the northern men.
- ↑ Vid. Epist. 122. apud Nic. Serar. in Epist. Sti Bonifacii martyris.
- ↑ Vid. Keysler. Antiq. Select. p. 313. who has a very learned Note on this subject, where he has collected together a number of curious passages from authors ancient and modern, Classic and Barbarous writers, relating to this practice. T.
