th of which are thrown
into a large earthen jar; and the accused, having
thrust his hand into it, is acquitted if he bring out
the silver image, but condemned if he draw forth the
iron; or the figure of a deity is painted on white
cloth, and another on black, the first of which they
name dharma, and the second adharma: these are
severally rolled up in cow-dung, and thrown into a
large jar without having ever been shown to the
accused; who must put his hand into the jar, and is
acquitted or convicted as he draws out the figure on
white or black cloth."

Touching the body of a murdered person was one way, in Scotland,
England, and elsewhere, of discovering who the murderer was. The
practice, we are informed, originated in Denmark. Certain gentlemen in
that kingdom, being together in a house, one evening fell out among
themselves, and from words came to blows. Unfortunately the candles
went out during the fray, and before lights could be procured one of
the gentlemen was stabbed. The murderer was unknown. Christernus II.,
then king, to find out the murderer, caused all who were present at
the brawl to stand around the dead body, and commanded that one after
the other should lay his right hand on the dead man's breast, and
swear that he had not committed the foul deed. The gentlemen complied;
and no sign appeared to indicate the guilt of any of them, until the
king's pursuivant kissed the feet of the corpse, and laid his hand on
the breast. As soon as he did so, the blood gushed out in great
abundance from the wound and nostrils. Thus condemned, the pursuivant
confessed his guilt. By the king's sentence, the criminal was
beheaded. Hence arose the practice, which was long common in many
places, of finding out unknown murders. In most cases the murderer was
discovered by the corpse bleeding the instant the bloodstained hand
was placed on the cold inanimate clay, but at times the sign was given
by the dead man opening his eyes on the slayer approaching the corpse.

A traveller was found murdered on a highway in Denmark; and because
the slayer was unknown, the magistrates of the place caused one of the
hands of him that was slain to be cut off, and hung up by a string at
the top of a room in the town prison. About ten years after the crime
was committed, the murderer happened to enter the apartment; and as
soon as he did so, the dry withered hand began to drop