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similar examples. These abominable sacrifices were accompanied with various ceremonies. When the victim was chosen, they conducted him towards the altar where the sacred fire was kept burning night and day: It was surrounded with all sorts of iron and brazen vessels: Among them one was distinguished from the rest by its superior size; in this they received the blood of the victims. When they offered up animals, they speedily killed them at the foot of the altar; then they opened their entrails to draw auguries from them, as among the Romans; afterwards they dressed the flesh to be served up in a feast prepared for the assembly. Even horse-flesh was not rejected, and the grandees often eat of it as well as the people. But when they were disposed to sacrifice men, those whom they pitched upon were laid upon a great stone, where they were instantly either strangled or knocked on the head. Sometimes they let out the blood; for no presage was more respected than that which they drew from the greater or less degree of impetuosity with which the blood gushed forth. Hence the priests inferred what success would attend the enterprize which was the object of their sacrifice. They also opened the body to read in the entrails, and especially in the heart, the will of the
