1636-46.] PLAYS.— PROCESSIONS. 161 



But, what is more curious, a Catholic writer of 

 the present day, the Abbe Faillon, in an elabo- 

 rate and learned work, dilates at length on the 

 details of the display ; and this, too, with a gravity 

 which evinces his conviction that squibs, rockets, 

 blue-lights, and serpents are important instruments 

 for the saving of souls. ^ On May-Day of the same 

 year, 1637, Montmagny planted before the church 

 a May-pole surmounted by a triple crown, beneath 

 which were three symbolical circles decorated with 

 wreaths, and bearing severally the names, lesuSy 

 Maria^ Joseph ; the soldiers drew up before it, and 

 saluted it with a volley of musketry.^ 



On the anniversary of the Dauphin's birth there 

 was a dramatic performance, in which an unbe- 

 liever, speaking Algonquin for the profit of the 

 Indians present, was hunted into Hell by fiends.^ 

 Religious processions were frequent. In one of 

 them, the Governor in a court dress and a baptized 

 Indian in beaver-skins were joint supporters of the 

 canopy which covered the Host.'* In another, six 

 Indians led the van, arrayed each in a velvet coat 

 of scarlet and gold sent them by the King. Then 

 came other Indian converts, two and two ; then the 

 foundress of the Ursuline convent, with Indian chil- 

 dren in French gowns ; then aU the Indian girls 

 and women, dressed after theh' own way ; then the 

 priests ; then the Governor ; and finally the whole 

 French population, male and female, except the 

 artillery-men at the fort, who saluted with their 



1 Histoire de la Colonie Frangaise, I. 291, 292. 2 Relation, 1637, 82. 



3 Vimont, Relation, 1640, 6. * Le Jeune, Relation, 1638, 6 



14* 



