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am, pour arrayed in the richest attire. MUCH OI wis pu parted; the host is now carried on foot, and the procession of a priest, an attendant to ring the bell-that all may be was its approach-a crowd of women and boys, and a few others b lighted candles. But still this imaginary deity never passes wi raising in the crowd an emotion of the profoundest awe. All Catholics illuminate their windows on the streets through which host is borne; all reverently fall on their knees at his awful approach Equestrians, who may be riding near, instantly dismount and bow down in teken of homage. When the guard houses are passed, the guards respectfully give place, and the drums are beat in honor of the wafer god. At the significant tingle of the bell, which announces the coming host, gamblers of every description suspend their games, till his transit has broken the spell, when they deem themselves innocent in resuming their work of mutual ruin. The theatre itself is aweVOL. XI.-April, 1840.

11

BY REV. J. DEMPSTER, A. M., MISSIONARY AT BUENOS AYRES.

[Continued from page 13.]

In accordance with a usage in the Catholic Church, the traitor Judas is burned on the Saturday evening of this "holy week.” A vast throng, of a certain description, is drawn together by this performance. Stuffed figures, charged with combustibles and fire works, are made to represent the traitor or rather they are intended to be effigies of some obnoxious chieftain: these, being suspended on ropes crossing some principal street, or located in the grand plaza, at an appointed moment are fired, shivered to atoms, and scattered in the air. This takes place in the midst of every sign and sound which could give utterance to joy.

Another procession here-which no Catholic country is withoutis that in which the Holy Ghost is feigned to be carried to the chamber of sickness. This formerly attracted the attention of strangers much more than at present. Until a few years past "the host" was conveyed from the church to the "dying saint" in a coach drawn by white mules. In this was seated the "holy father" with his attendant, both arrayed in the richest attire. Much of this pomp has departed; the host is now carried on foot, and the procession consists of a priest, an attendant to ring the bell-that all may be warned of its approach-a crowd of women and boys, and a few others bearing lighted candles. But still this imaginary deity never passes without raising in the crowd an emotion of the profoundest awe. All good Catholics illuminate their windows on the streets through which the host is borne; all reverently fall on their knees at his awful approach. Equestrians, who may be riding near, instantly dismount and bow down in token of homage. When the guard houses are passed, the guards respectfully give place, and the drums are beat in honor of the wafer god. At the significant tingle of the bell, which announces the coming host, gamblers of every description suspend their games, till his transit has broken the spell, when they deem themselves innocent in resuming their work of mutual ruin. The theatre itself is aweVOL. XI-April, 1840.

11