Note 10 — PREFACE.

After the king and all the people heard this the king chose certain suitable persons to rear the young chief, close relatives of his mother, of royal descent. Then the child was placed in strict seclusion—a most sacred place—so sacred that a person who ate pig or coconut, or any unclean or filthy food, or those whose garments were greasy with the oil of the coconut were not allowed there. The child was not to eat out of any old vessel which formerly contained anything filthy; it was strictly forbidden. If a man ate pork he must die. If any woman in care of such child should eat offensive food she should die. Thus were the chiefs and the people held in fear by the false gods so that the child might live. As the infant was brought up and grew to childhood, the parents conferred together, the father saying to his wife, “Our child must be circumcised.” “Yes, if you think so,” she replied. Then the king said, “Some one go tell the priest and see what he has to say.” And when the priest arrived in the presence of the king, he (the king) asked him: “What would you advise? Say something regarding the circumcision of my child.” The priest replied, “Yes, circumcise him; he has grown so that he can slaughter a pig.10” (Lit., the pig is killed).