The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-05-20
Extract from the Journal of an English Traveller
in Palestine.

Extract from the Journa, of an English Traveller
III Palestine.
Ceremonies at Jerusalem on Good FRIDAY.
The Pacha of Damascus arrived with q
force of about 5000 men. and encamped
north Of the town. He was saluted by
discharge of cannon from the walls, and
firing continued at intervals. during the
day. The pacha went to the grand mosque
in great pomp. In the evening we were
present at the ceremonies in the Holy Sc
pulchre. We entered the Latin chapel
and took our seats. Nearly all the Frars
in attendance who were not officiating,
we're clothed in q white tshie, over the
dress of their order. Shortly the revrsnd-
issimo appeared, and took his seat in the
pontfical chair, where he was robed BY the
attendants: white sleeves, tunic and ap-
ron, pluvale of black velvet richly EN-
oroidered with gold. black scarf also EN-.
broidered, silver Gilt crosier. The eight
functionaries about him with the same rich
gold and velvet robes; two carried silver
vases of holy water. myrrh, and aloes two
the croaiers of gold; two, silver urns of
rose-water; and two performed the office
Of train-bearers. When all was thus in
readiness, the lights of the chapel were sz-
'ingushed, and sermon delivered in
Italian: after which, the friars and our
selves were provided each with lighted
candle, and the procession commenced,
headed BY the choir. A large cruciix was
borne by one Of the friars, on which was
extended a flexible image of Christ, about
four feet high; painted in the natural
colours. The procession halted opposite
the altar of the division of clothes, where
a sermon was delivered in Italian, by ar
able. The next sermon was delivered ir
Spanish, BY one OF the friars.
The procession then advanced to tn,
Latin chapel, on Mount Calvary wher
another Italian sermon was delivered BY
the abbe; in which the preacher aIude,
to our desertion from the Catholic church
The cross was laid on the ground befor
him, this being said to be the spot wher
our Saviour was nailed to it. The proce.
sion then moved to the place of crucifS
ion a chapel adjoining, belonging to tn
Greeks, where the cross was planted i
seo VI tSiuo SttuoAtuH. "A SCliuOH WAS UtI
delivered in Italian, by friar; afte
which ensued the ceremony of taking dow
from the cross: the crown Of thorns wa
taken off, and plsced in golden dsl
Pincers and hammers were used is loose
ing and drawing the nails, which we
afterwards received IN another dish
gold, both of which dishes were carried
procession. The body was bound to t
cross by linen band, until the nails we
drawn, and then it was laid in white Ii
en- sheet, borne at each corner by a frit
and preceded BY the crucifx. Thus Il
procession moved On to the stone whe
Christs body was anointed by Joseph
Arimathea, who was there personated
the reverendssimo, and the ceremony W
performed. Tie body was laid out on t
stone, there washed with holy water, a
anointed with a mixture of myrrh a
aloes. A long sermon was then preach
by one of the friers, in Arabic. The j
mense candles and brazen candlestc
the rich dresses of the priests, and
vast scncourse of the people around, RI
dereG the ceremony imposing though
could not help being ashamed at its lido
trous puerility. The last ceremony "
he intermen.: the body was rolled mp