195 



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Convent at Santiago. — Group of people on the 

 outside whispering and speaking through the key- 

 hole, the hinges and the cracks of the door — turn- 

 about filled with old linen — door half opened by a 

 janitress to take in two large models on wheels, the 

 one of a brown cow, the other of a brown bull — » 

 door of the chapel open — chapel divided into two 

 parts by a double grating, one of iron, the other of 

 wood ; the lattices about the size of those in a 

 cottage window. At one end the altar glittering 

 with silver, mummery, and candles ; at the other 

 side of the grating the nuns assembled at vespers — - 

 some were sitting at the sides and back of the chapel 

 — others kneeling in the middle, even close to the 

 grating, and with their faces towards the altar. 

 They appeared to be almost all very old, fat women, 

 short and thick — complexions stained with garlic 

 and oil, and countenances soured by long confine- 



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