THE HOST. 25 



native of the surrounding country) anxiously- 

 endeavouring to enhance the value of his 

 stock, and, almost with the dexterity and 

 cunning of a Jew, disputing to the last far- 

 - thing — indeed, sometimes allov^ing you to 

 depart in the hopes of your return, in which 

 case he is sure to obtain the price he last 

 named. It sometimes happens, in the middle 

 of such scenes as these, that a tinkling bell an- 

 nounces the approach of the Host, when they 

 have been administering extreme unction to 

 some departing soul: instantly all marketing 

 proceedings are stopped, and the vast assem- 

 blage are all seen on their knees — it is fortu- 

 nate for those who have got a dry spot to 

 spread their handkerchiefs on, for down they 

 must go, and then all most devoutly com- 

 mence crossing themselves, and each recom- 

 mending himself to his patron saint. As the 

 Host advances up the platform to enter the 

 cathedral, the town- guard, which is quarter- 

 ed in the square, turns out, likewise the Vice- 



