The magical virtues which Christians came to ascribe to holy water are essentially identical with those which the pagans attributed to it. Mr. Seymore, whom we have already quoted, gives a catalogue of the uses and virtues of holy water, which he found in the chapel of St. Carlo Borromeo at Rome. Similar virtues are still attributed to it by modern Catholics.[136] The catalogue is as follows: “Holy water possesses much usefulness when Christians sprinkle themselves with it with due reverence and devotion. The Holy Church proposes it as a remedy and assistant in many circumstances, both spiritual and corporeal, but especially in these following: “_Its spiritual usefulness._ “1. It drives away devils from places and persons. “2. It affords great assistance against fears and diabolical illusions. “3. It cancels venial sins. “4. It imparts strength to resist temptation and occasions to sin. “5. It drives away wicked thoughts. “6. It preserves safely from the passing snares of the devil, both internally and externally. “7. It obtains the favor and presence of the Holy Ghost by which the soul is consoled, rejoiced, excited to devotion, and disposed to prayer. “8. It prepares the human mind for a better attendance on the divine mysteries, and receiving piously and worthily the most holy sacrament. “_Its corporeal usefulness._ “1. It is a remedy against barrenness, both in woman and in beast. “2. It is a preservation from sickness. “3. It heals the infirmities both of the mind and of the body. “4. It purifies infected air, and drives away plague and contagion. “Such is this document. It is the only authorized one I have seen respecting holy water; and this extraordinary statement stands as publicly in the church as do the ten commandments in a church in England. It is affixed separately over each of the vessels containing the Holy Water; and as every member of the congregation must have sprinkled himself with the water as he entered the church, so he may have seen and read these, its uses.”[137] Holy water was also used to sprinkle animals. This custom continues in the Roman Church. The counterpart is found in several pagan customs which are described by Ovid in _Fasti_, as already quoted, and further as shown in book i., line 669. Speaking of animals, Mr. Seymore says: