synagogue to their respective habitations, to perform a ceremony which is evidently designed as a substitute for their ancient sacrifices.* The master of each house, with a cock in his hands, stands up in the midst of his family, and recites the tenth, fourteenth, seventeenth, and five following verses of the hundredth and seventh psalm; to which he adds part of the speech of Elihu in the thirty-third chapter of Job: " If there "be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand to shew unto man his up

rightness: then he is gracious unto him, and "saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit; "I have found a ransom." Then he strikes his head with the cock three times; saying at each stroke: Let this cock be a commutation for me; 'let him be substituted in my place; let him be 'an atonement for me; let this cock be put to death; but lét a fortunate life be vouchsafed to 'me and to all Israel.' Having repeated this three times, for himself, for his family, and for the strangers who are with him, he proceeds to kill the cock; which he strangles by compressing the neck with his hand; at the same time reflecting that he himself deserves to be strangled. Then he cuts the cock's throat with a knife; reflecting, during this operation, that he himself deserves to fall by the sword. In the next place, he dashes the cock on the ground, to signify that he himself deserves to be stoned. Lastly, he roasts the cock, as an acknowledgment of his own deserving to die by fire. The entrails are generally thrown upon

* Levit. xvi,

the roof of the house. The cocks used on this oc-
casion are,
if possible, to be white; but a red one is
deemed altogether unfit for the purpose. After this
ceremony, they repair to the burial ground, where
they recite confessions and prayers, and distribute
the value of the expiatory cocks in alms to the
poor. The cocks are dressed in the afternoon,
and eaten before sun-set.*

This ceremony is said to have been long disused in Italy and the East, as a groundless superstition.† Whether the practice generally prevails in the present day, I have not been able to ascertain ; but it has certainly been continued among the Jews in Germany down to a very recent date.

Before the commencement of the Fast, they endeavour to settle all their disputes, and terminate their quarrels with each other; mutually tendering concessions and restitutions to all whom they have affronted or injured, and expressing forgiveness towards their offending brethren. Some purify themselves by ablutions, and a few of the more sanctimonious members of the synagogue have been known to undergo the penance of voluntary flagellation. This is performed by two persons successively inflicting upon each other thirty-nine stripes, or thi teen lashes with a triple scourge. §

In the afternoon they make a hearty meal, to prepare themselves for the approaching Fast which is of the most rigid kind. From before sun-set on

* Buxtorf. ibid. c. xxv. p. 508-516. Addison, ibid. p/186, 187. + Leo Modena, ibid. P. iii. c. 6. s. 2.

David Levi, ibid. p. 89. Buxtorf. ibid. P. 517-519.

Leo Modena, ibid. P. iii. c. 6. s. 3. Buxtorf. ibid. P. 521-523.

H

the ninth day till after sun-set the next evening, they are forbidden to 'take any manner of sustenance, even so much as a drop of fair water.'*

The synagogue is crowded on this occasion by many Israelites, both male and female, who never visit it on any other day throughout the year. It is also splendidly illuminated with wax candles, which remain burning night and day till the Fast is concluded.

'On the ninth day at even, at nearly the same 'hour as the sabbath begins, after having cleaned themselves and dressed in their best apparel in 'honour of the day, they go to the synagogue to 'the evening prayers of the Fast; where they ' remain, saying prayers and supplications, up'wards of three hours.' Some devotees remain in the synagogue all night. Those who returned home after the evening service, assemble again at six o'clock the next morning, and continue in the synagogue the whole of the day. The lessons, confessions, and supplications, employ more than twelve hours without intermission.

It would be tedious to enter into a minute account of the various offices included in these devotions. A general idea of their nature may be formed from the specimens of Jewish prayers already given; and particularly, the grounds upon which forgiveness of sins is implored and expected, are plainly stated in the passages extracted from the particular services of this Fast. I

* David Levi, ibid. p. 88. Leo Modena, ibid. P. iii. c. 6. s. 3.

+ David Levi, ibid. p. 90-98. Leo Modena, ibid. P. iii. c. 6. s. 4, 5. Pages 118-122.

But the special confession and supplication prescribed for this occasion, and repeated several times in the course of the day, is too remarkable to be passed over, and is therefore inserted in a note below.*

*Our God, and the God of our ancestors, may our prayers come 'before thee, and withdraw not thyself from our supplications; for 'we are not so shameless of face, or hardened, as to declare in thy 'presence, O Eternal, our God! and the God of our fathers, that we are righteous, and have not sinned; verily, (we confess) we have 'sinned.

We have trespassed; we have dealt treacherously; we have stolen; 'we have spoken slander; we have committed iniquity, and have 'done wickedly; we have acted presumptuously; we have committed 'violence; we have framed falsehood; we have counselled evil; we ' have uttered lies; we have scorned; we have rebelled; we have blasphemed; we have revolted; we have acted perversely; we have 'transgressed; we have oppressed; we have been stiff-necked; we have acted wickedly; we have corrupted; we have done abominably; we have gone astray, and have caused others to err; we have turned aside from thy excellent precepts, and institutions, and which hath not profited us; but thou art just concerning all that is come upon us; for thou hast dealt most truly, but we have done wickedly.

O may it then be acceptable in thy presence, O Eternal, our God! ' and the God of our fathers, to pardon all our sins, and forgive all our iniquities, and grant us remission for all our transgressions.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, either by compulsion, or voluntarily. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, with a stubborn heart.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, out of ignorance. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, with the utterance of our lips.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, with incestuous lewdness. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, either publicly or secretly.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, with deliberate deceit. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, with the speech of the mouth.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, by op'pressing our neighbour. And for the sin which we have committed ' against thee, by the evil cogitation of the heart.

When the prayers are finished and night is come, they sound the cornet to announce that the

For the sin which we have committed against thee, by assembling to commit fornication. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, by acknowledging our sins with our mouth, (but do * not repent in our heart.)

For the sins which we have committed against thee, by despising 6 our parents and teachers. And for the sin which we have com

'mitted against thee, either presumptuously or ignorantly.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, with violence. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, by the pro'fanation of thy name.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, with defiled lips. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, with foolish expressions.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, with the evil 'imagination. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, either knowingly, or without deliberation.

Yet, for all of them, O God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, and grant us remission.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, by denying ' and lying. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, by taking or giving a bribe.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, by scoffing. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, by calumny.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, in traffic. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, in meat ' and drink.

4

For the sin which we have committed against thee, by extortion and usury. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, 'by immodest discourse.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, by chattering. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, with the twinkling of our eyes.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, with haughty 'looks. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, with shamelessness.

Yet, for all of them, O God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, and grant us remission.

For the sin which we have committed against thee, by shaking off 'the yoke of thy law. And for the sin which we have committed against thee, by litigiousness.