THE Curse of Kehama : by Robert Southey. Καταραί, ως και τα αλεκτρυονονέοντα, οίκον αεί, οψε κεν επανήξαν εγκαθίσομεναι. Αποφθ. Ανικ. του Γυδιολ. του Μητ. CURSES ARE LIKE YOUNG CHICKEN, THEY ALWAYS COME THE SECOND EDITION. VOLUME THE FIRST. LONDON: PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 1811. PREFACE. IN false religions is the most monstrous in its fables, and the most fatal in its effects, there is one remarkable peculiarity. Prayers, penances, and sacrifices, are supposed to possess an inherent and actual value, in no degree depending upon the disposition or motive of the person who performs them. They are drafts upon Heaven, for which the Gods cannot refuse payment. The worst men, bent upon the worst designs, have in this manner obtained power which has made them formidable to the Supreme Deities themselves, |