Of these rites many are very curious.
Here, for instance, is one which had been performed in a village near which I afterwards lived for some time.

Cholera had been raging in the district for several weeks.

In the village in question no case had yet occurred, but the inhabitants feared that the dreaded visitor would soon arrive, and the following ingenious contrivance was adopted for warding off the danger.

At midnight, when the male population was supposed to be asleep, all the maidens met in nocturnal costume, according to a preconcerted plan, and formed a procession.

In front marched a girl, holding an Icon.