160 



NARRATIVE OP A 



In many of them a small party meet eveiy evening, regu- 

 larly and without ceremony, and pass the time in social 

 intercourse. Formal parties are not frequent. Yet I was 

 at one, where all the refinements of polished life seemed 

 to be perfectly understood, and where I was agreeably sur- 

 prised by the display of a tea-table, with all its accessories 

 in the best taste. When a stranger is once told that " the 

 house is at his disposal," he may consider himself an 

 habitue, and admitted to the freedom of the house. 



They have a great partiality for religious ceremonies 

 and processions. That of Corpus Christi, which I wit- 

 nessed during my stay there, is the grandest and the most 

 admired. The procession was headed by a body of caval- 

 ry, composed of citizens, who were well mounted and 

 dressed. Then came a number of other citizens on foot, 

 with lighted tapers in their hands. These were followed 

 by the authorities and the clergy ; and then came the pre- 

 late, who represented the bishop, arrayed in his pontifical 

 robes, and carrying the chalice containing the host. He 

 walked under a canopy of silk, embroidered and fringed 

 with gold, which was supported by four men of rank, 

 arrayed in full uniform. The ground before him was 

 strewed with leaves and flowers. Every head was un- 

 covered, and every knee bent, as he passed ; but this was 

 in devotion to the host which he bore in the chalice. 

 The prelate was followed by a coach and six horses. 

 This was an old-fashioned state carriage, of richly carved 

 wood, and gilt, with high massive wheels, heavy leather 

 springs, and glass windows on each side and in front. 

 The horses were gorgeously, though clumsily, capari- 

 soned. Three of them were mounted by youths as pos- 

 tilions, and each horse was attended by a groom on foot. 

 A guard of infantry and a military band brought up the 

 rear ; and then came the rabble — men, women, and chil- 

 dren, of all colours. The streets along which the proces- 

 sion passed were covered with awnings ; the houses were 



