Those who had seldom or never been out of their cells, and had turned over nothing but their books, ascribed the prodigy to Brama. “There is none but he,” said they, “that can interrupt the course of nature; and time will show, that in all this he has most profound views.”

Those on the contrary, who frequented the toilets, and were oftener surprised at bedsides than in their closets, fearing lest some indiscreet Toy or other might unveil their hypocrisy, laid their prattle to the charge of Cadabra, a mischief-making deity, and a sworn enemy to Brama and his servants. This latter system was exposed to terrible objections, and had not so direct a tendency towards the reformation of morals. Nay, its defenders did not impose on themselves about it. But the business was, to screen themselves: and in order to compass that, religion had not a single minister, who would not have sacrificed the Pagodas and their Altars a hundred times over.