FAISTAMA. 



203 



in the penal fire^^ by which the traitor was 

 consumed. 



These ludicrous ceremonies are not wanting 

 also at Payta. On Palm Sunday, an image 

 representing our Saviour with a long head of 

 hair streaming over a red and gold garment^ 

 was promenaded through the town, and into 

 the churches on a donkey. Two priests sup- 

 ported the wooden figure on either side, which 

 was made to hold a nosegay in one hand, and 

 thus it travelled along, reeling unsteadily from 

 side to side, quite incapable, I should imagine, 

 of inspiring any religious respect. All the 

 Indians and inhabitants of both sexes in Payta, 

 walked in this procession, full of mirth and 

 merriment, and evidently more engaged in ad- 

 miring each other than interested in this pious 

 absurdity. Here the music of the street cho- 



