himself alone into a place, where he makes some private prayers, he
cometh forth the third time, to give the blessing with all his
descendants, who stand about him as at the first. Then he calleth
them forth by one and by one, by name, as he pleaseth, though seldom
the order of age be inverted. The person that is called (the table
being before removed) kneeleth down before the chair, and the father
layeth his hand upon his head, or her head, and giveth the blessing in
these words: Son of Bensalem, (or daughter of Bensalem,) thy father
with it: the man by whom thou hast breath and life speaketh the word:
the blessing of the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, and the
Holy Dove, be upon thee, and make the days of thy pilgrimage good and
many. This he saith to every of them; and that done, if there be any
of his sons of eminent merit and virtue, (so they be not above two,)
he calleth for them again; and saith, laying his arm over their
shoulders, they standing; Sons, it is well ye are born, give God the
praise, and persevere to the end. And withall delivereth to either of
them a jewel, made in the figure of an ear of wheat, which they ever
after wear in the front of their turban or hat. This done, they fall
to music and dances, and other recreations, after their manner, for
the rest of the day. This is the full order of that feast.

By that time six or seven days were spent, I was fallen into straight
acquaintance with a merchant of that city, whose name was Joabin. He
was a Jew and circumcised: for they have some few stirps of Jews yet
remaining among them, whom they leave to their own religion. Which
they may the better do, because they are of a far differing
disposition from the Jews in other parts. For whereas they hate the
name of Christ; and have a secret inbred rancour against the people
among whom they live: these (contrariwise) give unto our Saviour many
high attributes, and love the nation of Bensalem extremely. Surely