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214 them signed and sealed in the presence of witnesses, stipulating that on the arrival of the property in Hades, it shall be duly made over to the individuals specified in the bond; which done, they burn it with the house; and rest assured that their friends obtain the benefit of what they have sent them. Thus, they "make a covenant with the grave: and, with hell, they are at agreement."

When the priests have gone through their service, and the ghosts are supposed to have been satisfied, a signal is given, and the rabble rush forward to scramble for what the spirits have left, which is, all the material part of the food. It is amusing to see the eagerness and agility with which the mob seize on these leavings; for, although the stage is generally twenty feet high, with the boards projecting about two or three feet beyond the head of the poles, the more expert manage to mount the high table, and engrossing what they can for themselves, bear it off, imagining that food over which so many prayers have been said, must be attended with a blessing. It is curious, however, to observe, how hypocrisy creeps into a religious service of so anomalous a character. The provisions consist of fruit and confectionary, with rice and vegetables, piled up in basins and baskets, which, to the eye, appear mil to overflowing; but, in reality, the hollow of each vessel is filled with coarse paper or plantain stalk, and the provisions are only thinly scattered over the top. On being remonstrated with, for thus deceiving the ghosts, the worshippers reply, that the spirits who are invited to the feast know no better, and by this means they make a little go a great way.

One cannot but turn with disgust from this system