Pilgrimages to the Spas in Pursuit of Health and Recreation: With an inquiry into the comparative merits of different mineral waters: the maladies to which they are applicable, and those in which they are injuriousJohnson, James
Science
Pilgrimages to the Spas in Pursuit of Health and Recreation: With an inquiry into the comparative merits of different mineral waters: the maladies to which they are applicable, and those in which they are injurious
Johnson, James
Balneology; Health resorts; Mineral waters
Every visitor to this place is shewn the cavern, once occupied by a huge
dragon, to whom the neighbouring inhabitants paid divine honours, and
even offered human sacrifices. The prisoners of war were considered to
be the most agreeable victims to this Pagan monster. Among a number of
recent captives was one day found a beautiful young lady, educated in the
Christian religion. Her beauty was raising a quarrel among the conquering
chiefs, when the Elders advised that the cause of the contention should
be consigned to the dragon. She was accordingly led to the summit of
the rock, and chained to a tree. Multitudes were assembled to view the
sacrifice. The first rays of the sun that darted into the cavern, roused
the voracious reptile, who issued from his den, and directed his tortuous
course to the usual place of his bloody feast. As soon as he came in
sight, the destined victim drew from her bosom the crucifix and image
of her Saviour—fixed her eyes on the emblem of redemption—and calmly
awaited her fate. The monster gazed on his lovely and helpless prey,
already within his grasp—slackened his pace—stopped—appeared petrified,
with his basilisk eyes rivetted on the virgin. She stood as firm as the
rock beneath her or the faith within her! A thrill of horror ran through
the assembled crowd, and the silence that prevailed was still as the
grave. The moment of suspense was agonizing to the spectators; but
continued only a few seconds, when the dragon sent forth a horrible and
unearthly yell—darted over the precipice—and disappeared for ever! The
multitude flew to the lady, unbound her chains, and fell at her feet, as
if she were an angel from Heaven. Conversion to the true faith among the
neighbouring people followed—a chapel was erected on the spot where the
miraculous interposition took place—and it was thenceforth considered the
cradle of Christianity in that part of the country.
MORAL.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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