1 04 BOGOTA'. 



on their knees, and remain there until it has 

 passed. Music follows, composed principal- 

 ly of violins and clarionets, playing church 

 music. The prettiest girls of the city walk 

 between two rows of the priests, some bear- 

 ing vessels, others offerings, some incense, 

 others flower-baskets. Young Indians follow, 

 dancing to flute and tambour, and the whole 

 is closed by soldiers, with their arms and co- 

 lours reversed. The procession returns to the 

 cathedral about half-past one. The same ce- 

 remony again takes place at half-past four, 

 but is confined to the Grand Plaza, round 

 which it parades once or twice, performing 

 again a short mass at each of the altars. 

 The evening concludes with fire- works, and 

 diversions for the people, and a tertidia is 

 generally given at one of the principal 

 houses to the higher classes. 



This is the most magnificent clerical f^te 

 of Colombia, and is got up with all the 



