DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11636#0089
AND LOWER EGYPT. 63
other name but that of Saint Paul's earth. They
make tablets of it, on which they impress the image
of the apostle, holding a serpent in his hand; these
are exported to different countries of Europe, and
more particularly to Spain and Italy. It is from
this sort of preparation, that it has received in
commerce, as well as the other earths and boles to
which they communicate various impressions, the
name of terra sigillata (sealed or stamped earth).
It passes, at Malta, as a wonderful remedy in
many diseases, and as an infallible specific against
fevers ; but all its properties are reducible to one,
that of furnishing a gentle sudorific.
The common people are not satisfied with as-
cribing qualities almost supernatural to the earth
of Saint Paul's grotto ; they maintain besides that
its mass underwent no diminution, whatever the
quantity extracted from it. It is in the eyes of the
Maltese a constant miracle operated by Saint
Paul; accordingly the earth which bears his name
is considered as a sacred substance in that island.
Assuredly it does not appear to undergo any sen-
sible diminution. This easy reproduction may be
attributed to the humidity of the grotto, and to
the earth's want of consistency. In order to un-
deceive those who affirm that it loses nothing of
its bulk, it would be sufficient to point out to
them the clearly apparent cavities formed by the
edge
other name but that of Saint Paul's earth. They
make tablets of it, on which they impress the image
of the apostle, holding a serpent in his hand; these
are exported to different countries of Europe, and
more particularly to Spain and Italy. It is from
this sort of preparation, that it has received in
commerce, as well as the other earths and boles to
which they communicate various impressions, the
name of terra sigillata (sealed or stamped earth).
It passes, at Malta, as a wonderful remedy in
many diseases, and as an infallible specific against
fevers ; but all its properties are reducible to one,
that of furnishing a gentle sudorific.
The common people are not satisfied with as-
cribing qualities almost supernatural to the earth
of Saint Paul's grotto ; they maintain besides that
its mass underwent no diminution, whatever the
quantity extracted from it. It is in the eyes of the
Maltese a constant miracle operated by Saint
Paul; accordingly the earth which bears his name
is considered as a sacred substance in that island.
Assuredly it does not appear to undergo any sen-
sible diminution. This easy reproduction may be
attributed to the humidity of the grotto, and to
the earth's want of consistency. In order to un-
deceive those who affirm that it loses nothing of
its bulk, it would be sufficient to point out to
them the clearly apparent cavities formed by the
edge