PROVINCE OF RIO DE JANEIRO. 



69 



ornamented with vases, and containing aromatic shrubs and flowers, is sur- 

 rounded with a sort of piazza, the inner walls of which present the front of 

 cemeteries, neatly plastered and numbered. Opposite the entrance, and cross- 

 ing the square, a door-way leads to inner avenues, lined with cemeteries, kept 

 exceedingly clean and in good order. At the extremity of one of these avenues 

 is situated the general charnel-house, where the bones are piled in accumulating 

 masses. After a certain lapse of time, the bones of individuals are taken from 

 the cemeteries, bound together, and a large label, with their names inscribed 

 upon it, affixed to them, then piled upon the bones of their predecessors in the 

 charnel house, where two tapers are constantly burning ; and it is not uncom- 

 mon for the relatives of the deceased to visit this house of the dead on a certain 

 day in the year, offering prayers in their behalf. 



The bodies of the churches are open spaces, without seats or pews, and the 

 women sit down in the Turkish style ; they, as well as the men, occasionally 

 fall upon their knees, and, during mass, go through the ceremonies of crossing 

 their foreheads, chins, and breasts, at regular stated periods, frequently beating 

 their bosoms with great vehemence, but which probably must not be taken as a 

 positive demonstration of sincerity, however imposing it may outwardly appear. 



The relation of one more procession will enable the reader to form some 

 estimate of the religious character of this people. On the event of illness having 

 assumed the appearance of terminating in death, the Host is conducted by one 

 or more padres, and its usual attendants, in much pomp, with a burning of 

 incense and the tinkling of bells, to the house of the dying person, to afford 

 him the last consolations of his religion. 



The procession of the Host requires from the public more obsequious 

 reverence than all the other component ingredients of the Catholic faith. Many 

 persons prostrate themselves before it on their knees, in the streets and balco- 

 nies ; others bend the body, and all take off their hats. 1 have frequently met 

 this procession some miles in the country, the padre mounted on horseback, 

 carrying with the same facility as an umbrella, a canopy in his hand, and under 

 its sacred shade the Host, or emblem of the Holy Ghost, accompanied by 

 some attendants uncovered, and robed in scarlet cloaks, also on horseback ; 

 the whole moving on at a quick ambling pace, with the tinkling of bells, the 

 peculiarity of which announces their approach, producing an universal prostra- 

 tion of all persons, white and black, who may be in the fields or houses ad- 

 joining the road. There is one custom the Brazilians have, which, if sincere, 

 cannot but be admired ; every evening at sun-set, by a simultaneous movement. 



