“On a certain day, while he was in the temple assisting at the public worship of the great Pagoda; and was, according to the usual ceremony, preparing to make the seventeen genuflections prescribed by the law; the beauty, with which he was captivated, chanced to pass by, and darted a glance on him accompany’d with a smile, which threw him into such distraction, that he lost his poise, fell on his nose, scandalized the congregation by his fall, forgot the number of genuflections, and performed but sixteen.

“The great Pagoda irritated at the offence and scandal, punished him cruelly. Hilas, for that was his name, the poor Hilas felt himself instantly inflamed with the most violent desires, and smack-smooth as the palm of his hand, deprived of the means of gratifying them. Equally surprised and grieved at so great a loss, he consulted the Pagoda. ‘Thou shalt never be restored to thy pristine state,’ answered she sneezing, ‘but between the arms of a woman, who shall not love thee the less for knowing thy misfortune.’