Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

THE PLANET VENUS. 295

not only selected for commencing a journey,
but for all undertakings of like importance;—
whether to build, to write, to plant, to take
medicine, &c.

What will be said of the singular custom,
" drinking the moon at a draught." A silver
basin being filled with water is held in such a
situation, that the full moon may be reflected
in it; the person to be benefited by this draught
is required to look steadfastly at the moon in
the basin, then shut his eyes and quaff the liquid
at one draught. This remedy is advised by me-
dical professors in nervous cases, and also for
palpitations of the heart. I have seen this prac-
tised, but I am not aware of any real benefit
derived by the patient from the prescription.

When the planet Venus is in conjunction
with the moon, they say the time is most fa-
vourable to offer prayers to God for any par-
ticular object they may have in view. At this
time they write charms or talismans to be worn
by children. I remember having witnessed a
gentleman thus occupied, who wrote little scraps
in the Arabic character to distribute amongst