NOTICES OP PERU. 



253 



his sins. Neither the confessor nor the confessed see each 

 other. The females are completely hidden in the saya y 

 manto, so that the priest knows not whose sins are filtered into 

 his ear ! 



Before the front door of the sagrario is a high wooden screen, 

 which hides the altar and interior of the church from the 

 plaza. On it are pasted various notices and placards, an- 

 nouncing certain feasts, indulgencies, and necessary penances, 

 which are generally addressed, *'To the faithful in Christ." 

 Not unfrequently a few lines, written in a crabbed hand, ad- 

 vise the faithful" that Fra}^ (somebody) is deceased, and that 

 masses are still owing for the benefit of his soul, and for which 

 alms are required! 



From daylight until about eleven o'clock, there is a constant 

 succession of masses said in the several chapels ; and about 

 nine o'clock, grand mass is chanted at the great altars of the 

 cathedral and sagrario. About ten o'clock, at the elevation of 

 the host, one of the great bells is struck two or three times, 

 and in an instant, the hum of business, the clatter of horses' 

 feet, the cries of the town, cease — all Lima is plunged into a 

 most dead silence. The streets present groups of people stand- 

 ing with their hats off ; horses, mules, and donkeys look asto- 

 nished that their labors should cease for an instant,* all who 

 happen to be in the plaza, near the church, kneel — all Lima is 

 at devotion, and heaven seems to be assailed with one mighty 

 torrent of aves and pater nosters. This state of things lasts 

 about a minute, and the whole is again set in motion by a 

 merrier striking of the bell — conversation and business are re- 

 sumed at the very points where they were interrupted. This 

 is the morning ^^oracion." At sunset it is repeated. It is the 

 most solemn and impressive custom witnessed in Catholic 

 countries. 



Every morning, ladies in saya y manto are seen passing 

 along the portdl to and from the cathedral, followed by little 

 slaves carrying small rugs. In the church they are kneel- 

 ing, either before the great altar or some of the chapels, 

 with their slaves behind them. The beads of the rosary are 

 counted over 5 and they then return. Old and young, rich 



