If you meet with any one who is virtuous do not drive him from you; do him honour, so that he may not have to flee from you and be reduced to hiding in hermitages, or caves or other solitary places to escape from your treachery; if there is such an one among you do him honour, for these are our Saints upon earth; these are they who deserve statues from us, and images; but remember that their images are not to be eaten by you, as is still done in some parts of India [Footnote 15:  In explanation of this passage I have received the following communication from Dr. G. W. LEITNER of Lahore:  “So far as Indian customs are known to us, this practice spoken of by Leonardo as ‘still existing in some parts of India’ is perfectly unknown; and it is equally opposed to the spirit of Hinduism, Mohammedanism and Sikhism.  In central Thibet the ashes of the dead, when burnt, are mixed with dough, and small figures—­usually of Buddha—­are stamped out of them and some are laid in the grave while others are distributed among the relations.  The custom spoken of by Leonardo may have prevailed there but I never heard of it.”  Possibly Leonardo refers here to customs of nations of America.] where, when the images have according to them, performed some miracle, the priests cut them in pieces, being of wood, and give them to all the people of the country, not without payment; and each one grates his portion very fine, and puts it upon the first food he eats; and thus believes that by faith he has eaten his saint who then preserves him from all perils.  What do you think here, Man, of your own species?  Are you so wise as you believe yourselves to be?  Are these things to be done by men?

1359.

As I told you in past days, you know that I am without any.... 
Francesco d’Antonio.  Bernardo di Maestro Jacopo.

1360.

Tell me how the things happened.

1361.

j lorezo\\\ 2 inbiadali\\\ 3 inferri de\\\ 4in lorezo\\\ 5[inno abuil]\\ 6 in acocatu\\\ 7 per la sella\\\ 8colte di lor\\\ 9v cavallott\\\ I0el uiagg\\\ IIal\\\ I2a lurez\\\ 13in biada\\\ 14inferri\\\ 15abuss\\\ 16in viagg\\\ 17alorz\\\ [Footnote:  This seems to be the beginning of a letter, but only the first words of the lines have been preserved, the leaf being torn down the middle.  No translation is possible.]

1362.

And so may it please our great Author that I may demonstrate the nature of man and his customs, in the way I describe his figure.

[Footnote:  A preparatory note for the passage given as No. 798, 11. 41—­42.]

1363.

This writing distinctly about the kite seems to be my destiny, because among the first recollections of my infancy, it seemed to me that, as I was in my cradle, a kite came to me and opened my mouth with its tail, and struck me several times with its tail inside my lips.

[Footnote:  This note probably refers to the text No. 1221.]