“Our Lady of the Dew” 85 
homage of the Brotherhoods. As each Replica reached the spot, 
‘its bearers halted and knelt, while expert drivers even made their 
ox-teams kneel down in submission before the “ Queen of Heaven 
and Earth.” There was but a moment's delay, nor did castanets 
and song cease for an instant. Later in the evening came the 
processions of the Rosdrio, when each of the visiting Brotherhoods 
make a ceremonious call upon the Senior Brother—that is, the 
Hermit of Rocio—after which each confraternity, with less 
ceremony but more joviality, visited the camps of the others. 
This last was accompanied by bands, massed choirs, and 
Jireworks. Then the festival resolved itself, so far as we could 
judge, into a purely secular affair—feasting, merry-making, 
dancing, till far on in the night. 
Rain had set in at dusk and was now falling fast. Rocio is 
but a tiny hamlet—say two score of humble cots—yet to-night 
6000 people occupied it, the womenfolk sleeping inside their 
canvas-tilted ox-waggons, the men lying promiscuously on the 
ground beneath. 
Sunday is occupied with religious ceremonies, beginning with 
High Mass. These we will not attempt to describe—nor could 
we if we would. The Spanish friend who at our request jotted 
down some notes on the festa uses the following expressions :— 
The days of the Rocio are days of expansion, merry-making, animation. 
Never, throughout the festival, ceases the laughter of joyous voices, the 
clang of the castanets, the melody of guitar and tambourine. Dances, 
song, and music, with jovial intercourse and good fellowship, all unite to 
preserve unflagging the rejoicing which is cultivated at that beautiful spot. 
At this festival many traders assist with different installations, including 
jewellers in the porch of the church, vendors of medallions, photographs, 
coloured ribbons, and other articles dedicated to the patroness of a 
festival which is well worthy a visit for its originality and bewitchment. 
On the Monday morning, after joint attendance of all the 
Brotherhoods at Mass, followed by a sermon, the image of the 
Virgin is formally replaced upon the altar (the feet resting upon 
the same hollow trunk in which the figure was first found), then 
the processions are reformed and the long homeward journey to 
their respective destinations begins. 
Although many thousands of people yearly attend this 
festival, all entirely uncontrolled by any authority, yet quarrels 
and disturbance are unknown. The mere cry of “viva la 
