Page:The Cry of Nature.pdf/151

 the Gods, nor was there any poitive law to prevent this, for it was forbidden by the law of nature. In the time of Pygmalion, however, a Phoenician, who reigned in Cyprus, an occaion occurred in which it was thought neceary to redeem life by life, and an animal was acrificed, and totally conumed by fire. Some time after the introduction of this practice, a part of the burnt-offering happening to fall to the ground, the priest picked it up, and burning his hand in the ation, in order ta mitigate the pain, applied his fingers to his mouth. Inticed by the flavour of the fleh, and unable to retrain his eager deire, he eat himelf, and gave part of the acrifice to his wife. When Pygmalion was made accquainted with this atrocity, he caued them