OPORTO. 121 



or device : thus, one carried a dove, another a cross, a 

 third a chalice, a fourth a crown, a fifth a plate of flowers, 

 nnother ears of corn. They varied in age from about five 

 years old to ten, and we could scarcely forbear a smile, 

 which would have been wholly out of place in that solemn 

 scene, when we were told that these gorgeously attired 

 children represented angels. For, indeed, the yellow, red, 

 and blue dresses, their peculiar shape, arranged for the 

 most startling effect, the wings, the head-dresses, and 

 above all, the prodigious display of colossal jewellery, did 

 seem a most marvellous method of representing the 

 blessed inhabitants of heaven. The road was strewn with 

 leaves and evergreens, chiefly branches of box; and as 

 the procession passed through many streets, some of the 

 smaller children were evidently tired, and could scarcely 

 support the finery they had to carry, or lift their tiny feet 

 over the incommoding branches, so that, from time to time, 

 one and another was obliged to be helped along by the 

 men in scarlet silk cloaks who lined the path. And now 

 came the real essence of the procession, of which the 

 children had been but the advanced guard. This was no 

 other than the Host, borne by priests beneath a gorgeous 

 canopy, and as it came within sight, those passing even in 

 distant streets uncovered their heads, and those near knelt 

 upon the pavement. A whole regiment of soldiers fol- 

 lowed behind, and closed the procession; meanwhile a 

 military band was playing an inspiriting tune, and at 

 various points, as the cortege passed, rockets were dis- 

 charged, while the church bells rang merrily. I could 

 scarcely believe that the cause of so novel a function was 

 merely the procession of the Host to the sick, which I have 

 ajrain and airain witnessed in other countries, attended with 

 comparatively little pomp, but I was assured that such was 

 the case ; and it was added, that Oporto especially delights 

 in such pageants, which are frequently parading the streets, 



