PROFESSION OF A FRIAR. 



33 



young man being much abashed. A visiter who 

 stood near to me in the gallery, from which 

 there are windows into the church, said, in a 

 low voice to be heard only by those immediately 

 around him ; " See your chief himself thus ad- 

 vises him to put shame aside, which unfortunately 

 you are all too much inclined to do ;" at this 

 the friars who were within hearing all laughed. 

 Great part of the community and many other 

 persons dined with the father of the young friar, 

 and I among the rest ; there was much eating, 

 much drinking, and much confusion. In the 

 evening fireworks were displayed, which ended 

 by a transparency, representing a novice re- 

 ceiving the benediction of his Guardian. 



It was determined that we should return to 

 Recife this night, and that the journey was to 

 be commenced as soon as the moon rose. The 

 party consisted of rive friars, several laymen be- 

 sides myself all on horseback ; some palanquins 

 with ladies, and a number of negroes to carry 

 them. We sallied forth about midnight; the 

 moon was bright, and the sky quite clear. The 

 scene was very strange ; the road made in places 

 abrupt turns, so as to give to those who were 

 rather in advance, on looking back, a view of 

 the whole procession, at times appearing and at 

 limes concealed among the trees -, of this the 

 friars formed an extraordinary part, in their 

 i obes tucked up round the waist, and tied with 



VOL. I. D 



