In the middle of the summer season tails of sick cattle are
principal native offerings at Saint Herbot, a small parish not
far from Paris, France. The annual cattle fair brings together
a great number of dealers from all parts of Brittany. Business
goes on from early morning until three o’clock in the afternoon,
when every one adjourns to the church and joins in the service,
at which the benediction of heaven on the worshipers’ heads is
implored. The custom is for the breeders to cut off the tails of
sick animals and lay the tails on the altar, the idea being that
this ceremony will restore the sick animals to health. The tails
are afterward sold and considerable money realized from the sale.
Many people are just this way toward God. The poorest products of their
life they give to God, and make themselves believe that is giving. To
give the tailings of the threshing floor is to give chaff. To give the
tailings of the reduction mill is to give the low-grade ore. To give
the tail ends of anything is to give the poorest.
(2237)