RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES, 
85 
life-size wax figure of the Saviour. There are also life-size 
figures of Mary, St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. John, each mounted 
on a car, and each car illuminated by one hundred tapers, which 
are set in candelabras of silver, and borne by sixteen men. In¬ 
cense is burned, a chant is sung accompanied by the organ, and 
at the ringing of a small bell, all rise from their knees ; the bell 
rings again, and the procession moves. The ass is first led out, 
followed by the figures of Mary and the Apostles in order; 
next, the band of music and the procession follows, which is 
illuminated by innumerable tapers. They move toward the 
main gate, all joining in the chant. The passage of the first of 
the procession through the gate, is announced by the simultan¬ 
eous discharge of rockets which illumine the very heavens. 
The discharging of rockets is continued, and, after passing 
through the principal streets, they return to the church and de¬ 
posit the images. They again return to the city, seize an effigy 
of Judas Iscariot and after hanging it up by the neck, cut it 
down and burn it. The celebration closes with the usual 
night procession of nuns and priests. These celebrations and 
processions are conducted with the greatest solemnity, the peo¬ 
ple all engaging in them as if they thought them indispensable 
to salvation. 
The priests are quite ultra in their dress, wearing a black silk 
gown, falling below the knee, black silk tights, patent-leather 
shoes, fastened with immense silver buckles, a black hat, the 
brim of the most ungovernable dimensions, rolled up at the 
sides and fastened on the top of the crown. Their zeal in relig¬ 
ion is equalled only by their passion for gaming and cock-fight¬ 
ing. It appears strange to see men of their holy calling enter 
the ring with a cock under each arm, gafted for the sanguinary 
conflict, and, when the result is doubtful, enter into a most un- 
harmonious wrangle, with the faithful u,nder their charge. 
The citizens of Panama are composed of all grades of color, 
from the pure Sambo, (former slaves or their descendants,) to the 
pure Castilian. The distinctive lines of society are not very 
tightly drawn. At the fandangoes all colors are represented, and 
a descendant of Spain will select, as a partner, one of the deepest 
dye. In this hot climate the waltz or quadrille soon throws all 
parties into a most profuse perspiration, which causes that other 
