a ceremony in use among the ancients, and still practised in several parts of the world: it consisted in washing the body, which was always done before sacrificing, or even entering their houses. Ablutions appear to be as old as any ceremonies, or as external worship itself: Moses enjoined them, the heathens adopted them, and Mahomet and his followers have continued them; thus they have got footing among most nations, and make a considerable part of many established religions. The ceremony of ablution, the symbol of spiritual purity, was at first, perhaps, graciously designed as an incitement to personal cleanliness; and there can scarce be a doubt that this salutary end chiefly was proposed in its adoption by the legislators of succeeding times. In the desert, when no water is to be found, the Arabs perform this rite, according to Mohammedan law, with sand.