As soon as the Child is born, the Father or some Friend apply themselves to an Astrologer to enquire, whether the Child be born in a prosperous Planet, and a good hour or in an evil.

If it be found to be in an evil they presently destroy it, either by starving it, letting it lye and die, or by drowning it, putting its head into a Vessel of water, or by burying it alive, or else by giving it to some body of the same degree with themselves; who often will take such Children, and bring them up by hand with Rice and Milk; for they say, the Child will be unhappy to the Parents, but to none else.

We have asked them why they will deal so with their poor Infants, that come out of their Bowels.

They will indeed have a kind of regret and trouble at it.

But they will say withal, Why should I bring up a Devil in my House?
For they believe, a Child born in an ill hour, will prove a plague and vexation to his Parents by his disobedience and untowardliness.
[But seldom a First-born.] But it is very rare that a First-born is served so.