here is, in every city where
they live, one appointed particularly to take care of strangers, and
to provide garments and other necessaries for them. But the habit and
management of their bodies is such as children use who are in fear of
their masters. Nor do they allow of the change of or of shoes till be
first torn to pieces, or worn out by time. Nor do they either buy or
sell any thing to one another; but every one of them gives what he hath
to him that wanteth it, and receives from him again in lieu of it what
may be convenient for himself; and although there be no requital made,
they are fully allowed to take what they want of whomsoever they please.

5. And as for their piety towards God, it is very extraordinary; for
before sun-rising they speak not a word about profane matters, but put
up certain prayers which they have received from their forefathers, as
if they made a supplication for its rising. After this every one of them
are sent away by their curators, to exercise some of those arts wherein
they are skilled, in which they labor with great diligence till the
fifth hour. After which they assemble themselves together again into one
place; and when they have clothed themselves in white veils, they then
bathe their bodies in cold water. And after this purification is over,
they every one meet together in an apartment of their own, into which it
is not permitted to any of another sect to enter; while they go, after
a pure manner, into the dining-room, as into a certain holy temple, and
quietly set themselves down; upon which the baker lays them loaves in
order; the cook also brings a single plate of one sort of food, and sets
it before every one of them; but a priest says grace before meat; and it
is unlawful for any one to taste of the food before grace be said. The
same priest, when he hath dined, says grace again after meat; and when
they begin, and when they end, they praise God, as he that bestows their
food upon them; after which they lay aside their [white] garments, and
betake themselves to their labors again till the evening; then they
return home to supper, after the same manner; and if there be any
strangers there, they sit down with them. Nor is there ever any clamor
or disturbance to pollute their house, but they give every one leave to
speak in their turn; which silence thus kept in their house appears
to foreigners like some tremendous mystery; the cause of which is that
perpetual sobriety they ex