The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-02-23
the interior, they serve for bed and cover


carriages, in full dress, without any cover
ing upon their heads; the carriages are call
ed Valcncines, and the windows all being OF
glass one has fair opportunity to witness
their maneuvres with their fans, and all the
little arts they practice to attract o5serva-
ton! I
There are great number of churches in
L ma, immensely large, and some extreme
ly splendid, although now stripped of their
gold and silver, and precious stones: to
each is attached a convent. They ale very
poor, as their resources were derived from
large landed estates, which are now entire
ly neglected.
visited one of the gardens belonging to
the Cathedral, which, before the last revoln-
tion, was filled with every rare fruit and
flower but at that time the Royalists turp-
ed 600 horses into it, and every thing was
DESTROYED but the orange trees, which in
their country, are magnificent: you see
them in every direction about the city rear
ing their tall heads, covered with rich yell
low fruit, and fragrant white blossoms,
filling the air with their delicious perfume
The second time went to Lima, we Wis
tied the church of St. Francisco; some part
of it being shut, the Padre said il we would
come the next morning at six O'Clock, we
to obtain permission for us to see the mon.
astery, and he promised to use his influence
with the Bishop, though no foreign ladies
had ever been allowed; but he thought zoe
would not be refused.
| Our expectations were SO much excited that
by six we were at the church, where the
Padre awaited It's; we were requested to
take off our bonnets, and were allowed to en-
ter without any ceremony. The deep SOL
emn tone of the organ reverberated through
the church, which was lighted by an i'm
mense number of lamps, and we saw the
Bishop and six priests at an altar, at the ex-
treme end of the church, in their white and
flowing robes; the Bishop was covered over
with gold. They were performing morn
ing mass, and my first impulse was to fall
upon my knees and offer up my alterations
and nv thanks to one God ; but every feel
ing of devotion was quickly dispelled by see
ing the groups which were every moment
entering and going out; from the ladies in
their sava-y-mantos, who Dipped their fin
gers in the holy water, fell upon their knees
and then turned to gaze upon us; to the
mule drivers and the market women, with
their loaded baskets upon their arms, and
troops. of ragged, dirty children, all Of
whom seemed to go through the eUolutions
tered at one door, by which stood large
marble basin filled with holy water, which
they touched, crossed themselves, fell upon
their knees upon the stone floor, their bodies
, upright, and then marched out at an op-
posite door, after dipping their fingers in a.
mother vase of holy water and crossing them
selves
In truth, the only thing imposing in that
ceremony was the profound stiffness, tor moi
sound was heard, but an occasional note o
: the organ, which echoed solemnly through
the high arches of the most remote part:
and rooms of the church
MANY persons were at confession tht
priests were seated in chairs, formed like
our easy chairs, the back and side yer.
high, with pannel to slide over the front
; so as to conceal the face of the priest. Th'
! penitent knees on the outside, with the fact
close to the chair, the side of which is filled
with little holes to admit the voice withou
the person being seen.
The most impressive ceremony of th'
Catholic religion is the evening oracion
there is something sublime in the idea of {
whole people, at the same moment, llftinf
: their hearts in silent thankfulness to the E
ternal for preservation through the day
and to a foreigner, it is deeply touching -
shall never forget my sensations when frs
witnessed it A large party cheval wa
returning from the country, and was jus
passing through one ofthe most busy street
I of Lima, when the bell of the Cathedra
tolled; it only struck once; in an instan
every hat is taken off, all labour or amuse
! ments are suspended, land not sound through
I out the city is heard the horses involunta
y rily stop, and reCollcct was very near be
ing thrown.
But to return to the church, the Padr
who had attended us the day before, wa
one of the choir. and when he saw us h
came down, and to our great joy, said h
!. had received orders to show us every part c
the monastery and church.
We examined the latter first, but it is i'm
d possible to describe building which cover
: several acres of land, and is of every orde
i of architecture, but in this the Gothic pre-
l dominates. The"main body is indeed i'm
e mense; the roof is arched and covered wit
gliding, and with pictures, and images {
e Saints; there are great number OF chapel
}. private and small rooms, finished in til
u same style, with silver figures of the Virgi
$ Mary, and gold Jesus, about which the
a told me long story of a miracle
= The monastery is complete labyrinth {
: aises, and arches, and cells, all bearing til
u q stamp of superstition and abstinence til
d order is a very rigid one, allowing but on
! meal day, and the poor monks look lik
, victims TO its severity The rooms Wer