TUB CHURCH AND ITS CEREMONIES. 171 



should do unto you," and thus recognise those of other creeds as endeavoring to pursue the 

 path to eternal happiness, are like "fabled visits of the angels." The Catholic church on one 

 hand, with its door so broad that tottering children, inebriate greybeards, and dissolute priest* 

 staggering under the spoils of the gambling-table or cock-pit, may enter without the risk of 

 striking its side-posts, pronounces the doom of everlasting puniHhment on all who do nut avail 

 themselves of it, and absolutely refuses them the rite of sepulture within its so-called conse- 

 crated depositories of mortality. On the other, the ranting Methodist, with a torrent of verbi- 

 age breathing of the fires of hell, the thrilling tortures of the accursed amid flames of sulphur, 

 and other gross appeals to the fears of the timid, boldly denounces the followers of the Pope as 

 idolaters, beyond the pale of salvation. Here are the extremes. One adheres to the rites, 

 ceremonies, and autocratic government, perhaps essential ere the light of education was so 

 generally diffused : the other is almost destitute of fixed rule, and to a fault democratic in 

 discipline. Which is right? 



The Virgin being (apparently) of more consequence in the Catholic religion than is the 

 Saviour, any event connected with her, however assumed, merits especial observance, and the 

 day is kept as a holy day. All secular employment is prohibited, the cathedral and churches 

 are opened for high mass in the morning, and the theatres have extra performances at night. 

 In the cathedral a life-size image of Mary was displayed on one side of the altar, amid drapery 

 which, at a little distance, was no bad representation of clouds. As might be inferred, the 

 figure was extravagantly dressed, the skill of a French modiste having been exercised in 

 arranging a toilette selected in accordance with the taste of the lower classes cheap finery. In 

 the vicinity, the whole aisle was filled with kneeling suppliants, to whom she was the centre of 

 attraction. The archbishop officiated at mass ; but the services presented nothing differing from 

 those before spoken of. 



At night the hills were adorned with multitudes of lighted candles, it is said in payment of 

 vows, or as propitiatory offerings to Santa Eusebia, whom the faithful believe has power to 

 grant whatever earthly good one may desire. Many legends are told of the origin of placing 

 the lights on surrounding eminences. One, and that in which most agree, is as follows: 



A child, diseased with loathsome sores from the crown of its head to the soles of its feet, being 

 deemed incurable, was placed by its parents, with, a portion of bread and water, on a neighbor- 

 ing eminence, and there left to shift for itself or die. Keturning to bury its remains at the 

 expiration of a year, to their surprise the parents found their child seemingly alive and healed ; 

 but the moment they spoke a dove flew from its mouth, and their offspring disappeared. Whether 

 it ascended bodily among the angels, or was converted into vapor, the legend says not. A 

 moment afterwards the dove alighted on a rock near them, and on the surface wrote an inscrip- 

 tion with its bill, directing them, as a penance for their sinful desertion, to burn a specified number 

 of candles on the spot every year, in honor of Santa Eusebia. On their way homeward the 

 distressed couple narrated their adventure to an incredulous friend whom they met, who flatly 

 refused belief in the power of Santa Eusebia to work miracles, and asserted that ocular proof 

 alone would convince him. Sustained in their faith by the special demonstration just witnessed, 

 they persevered with their doubting companion until he petulantly exclaimed, "Well, I would 

 as soon believe that I shall find an ounce ($17.25) on my table, as what you say about Santa 

 Eusebia." Impious man! the door of his rancho was scarcely opened to receive them, as 

 they passed by, when a golden coin of that value was discovered on the table ! So runs the 

 story ; and the power of her ladyship to grant small favors is no more doubted, even by many 

 of the highest class, than we doubt that the sun will rise on any following day. As an instance 

 in point, the following anecdote may be told of a personal friend: 



During the forenoon her house-servant had displaced the key of the despema, or pantry, and 

 it could not be found in any direction. Guests were expected at dinner ; the hour approached ; 

 without the key not even the china could be obtained, and the mistress also joined in the search. 

 Their efforts being fruitless, in her distress under the reprimands occasioned by the contretemps, 



