Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-12-15

skin frock, followed by the light and i've
ly Hungarian, with his mantle of blue
slung carelessly across his shoulder a Ia
hussar-his hessian poets drawn over red
pantaloons ornamented with profusion
OF lace. and made to sit closely to the per-
son-his jacket trimmed with fur. and
his round broad leafed hat adorned with
single feather; in another direction is
seen. procession Of maidens from the
Tyrol, free in step and bearing as their
own mountain air-with their jet black
tresses floating lightly on the breeze
thelrong loose frocks vainly endeavouring
to conceal the luscious symmetry of forms
above all praise--their eyes darling ever
and anon glances of fire which might ex-
cite an anchorite and their lips joyously
trolling forth those wild melodies peculiar
to their native glens next, and strangely
contrasting with these, come train Of
Austrian matrons, conspicuous BY their
dazzling head-gear of golden tissue shap-
ed into sort of helmet, by the neat pro-
prlety of their dress, and by the, demure
and repentant looks which proclaim them
true to the character which the'iwonen Of
their nation, from the castle to the cot
tage, have for centres maintained -
"Thoughtless rakes while young,
Whep old, repentant sinners"
Again, in another group, you may dis
Germ the swarthy Croatian, with his
searching eye. appearing even now in
tent on plunder-the large slouched hat,
adorned with variety of feathers and
thousand ribbands, proclaiming at once
his origin and the thieving propsnsities
ne inherits, and warning the traveller of
the approach of danger. Indeed, the
thieving propensities of these people are
so notorious, that, at the very sight Of the
Croatian hat, you instinctively lay your
hand on your pocket to see that all is safe,
and grippe your arms to be prepared against
surprise. In general each procession is
headed by priest, bearing the cruciix
aloft, and singing with loud voice some
psalm.adapted to the musick of the tribe
he leads his followers, at the same time,
joining in full chorus. The variety of
sounds. combined with the motley appear
ance of the assembled thousands, produ-
ces strangely confused and strongly ex-
citing effect upon the mind-an effect diff
6cult to analyze, and impossible to de-
scribe. The priest in many instances,
has travelled considerably more than
hundred German miles with his flock.
to attend scene whose spiritual and car
nal character is SO grotesqueIy confound-
ed, that we are for moment at loss
whether to ascribe his presence TO the
prospect of wine and wassail, and the US
ual accompaniment of" gotis gelt," or to
the more sober influence of devotional SUI
perstition. But the doubt vanisbes in an
instant, when we observe that, wherever
squallid looks and tattered garments pro.
claim that poverty turks below, the pro-
cession is generally headed by some pa
triarchal-looking ancient OF the tribe, in
stead of by the priest, whose holy favours
and blessed countenance are reserved for
the more wealthy portion of the pilgrims
their earthly comforts, as may Justly be
supposed, placing their celestial happiness
in such jeopardy as to render the constant
superintendent and protection of a rev.
erend father necessary.
So much for the day; but at night the
scene battles all description. The few
who are so fortunate as to obtain lodging
are huddled together at the rate Of fifty or
sixty to each room, the girls being placed
on one side and, the young men on the
other, and, as barrier between, the old
of both sexes belonging to the party. But
if report speak true, many girl, in the
words Of poor Ophela, went in a maid,