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THROUGH FINLAND. Bax
rife to the darknefs of gentilifm, were not filenced when thofe na-
tions became enlightened by the gofpel ; they were even interpo-
lated in the times of papal faperttition for the purpofe of deluding
the people ; and thefe will probably be the laft of the runic verfes
that will be forgotten, as notwithftanding all the induftry of the
clergy to root out fuch prejudices from the minds of the people,
the Finns ftill privately favour and countenance thefe fongs, being
ftrongly of opinion, that they are poffeffed of fecret virtues, and
have a fuperior degree of efficacy when employed.
In point of compofition they are confidered by many as inefti-
mable monuments of antiquity, and perfect models of genuine
runic poetry. They are diftinguifhed by their admirers from the
common runic verfes fung at public meetings, which by them are
accounted profane. Some of a fpecies named /ugut, or lectures,
are never fung, but delivered privately ina low murmuring voice,
accompanied with horrid gefticulations.
The Finns have many runic verfes which are fuppofed to con-
tain healing powers, and thofe are ftyled /amat, or charms; as
_ madan-fanat, charms for the bite of a ferpent ; tulen-fanat, charms
to cure fcalds or burns; raudan-fanat, charms to heal wounds,
&c. &e. : i
Thefe charms, as has been already obferved, are very numerous ;
and though not much efteemed by the inhabitants of the fea-
coaft, are in the higheit repute amongft thofe who dwell in the
interior and mountainous parts of the country. This is likely
to continue to be the cafe, as long as the practice of phyfic re-
Voi. I. We mains
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