Polynesian., 1844-09-14

the procession stopped. AS the host passed
along, the people retrcated from the front
and knelt before it. The troops lined the
plaza and the streets leading to it; the peo-
pie en- masse were back Of them. At sight
of the sacred symbol, every knee in that liv-
ing multitude was bent, and every head rev.
erentially bowed. High and low, young
maidens and old men, alike, with uncovered
heads, knelt side by side. Hundreds of the
chief citizens closed the procession, bearing
in their hands lighted candles, and clouds of
frankincense filled the air. Anon the heavy
guns Of the batteries gave out a deafening
discharge, the bells pealed forth their mer-
riest rings, and the notes of the bands swell
led high and joyously, heard above all.
There was no drunkenness. The people all
appeared g%ratifed and happy, and the shows
over they quietly dispersed.
went into the new church. Crowds of
worshippers were kneeling in groups about
its spacious interior. No bonnet is allowed
to enter the sacred walls. The ladies of the
better quality were dressed in black, with
their faces partially hid by rich wells. Their
servants had brought carpets for them to
kneel upon. My eyes wandered to one
group, attracted at first by their picturesque
position. There were three females, kneel-
ing towards the high altar, to all appearance,
wrapt in their religious exercises and uncon-
scious of the admiring eyes turned towards
them. All were beautiful, but the counte-
nance of the tallest was most strikingly so.
Her form was perfect; the rich tresses Of
her dark hair were partially concealed by a
veil which was placed with perfect grace
over her head. Her dark and ~lustrous eyes
were turned towards heaven; her counte-
nance was Of the Madonna cast, her lips
quietly moved, and the whole expression Of
her features seemed to breathe the purest
spirit of womanly devotion. She formed a
perfect picture, and despite of all else around
me / gazed in admiration until she rose and
left the church: l learned afterwards her
name and family. She was the belle Of Val
~paraiso, and the centre of attraction, though
engaged. saw her again at a ball. She
was then all life and gaiety, but a smile Of
conscious beauty and pride sat upon her
features, which formed an unfavorablc con-
trast with my previous impression. But the
spirit of the ballroom and the church is in
deed different, and if there is sincerity in
each case, the countenance must express
the feelings of the heart.
The police of Valparaiso is perfect in its ar
rangement. There is no sleeping among
the watchmen. Every half hour during the
night, over the whole city, their musical vol
ces are to be heard, calling out the hours,
weather, and long live Chill. Mounted pa
trolls scour the streets. Galloping is not al
lowed. The town is the most hourishing of
all the Spanish American cities, and it is the
most liberal in its intercourse with foreign
ers. Attached to the English consulate, is
a chapel of the Church of England. The
pulpit is supplied by clergyman partly sup
ported by the English government, and part
ly by the residents. This establishment is
rather winked at than tolerated. Side by
side, are the Protestant and Roman Catho-
lie cemeteries. Both prettily situated on the
brink Of a hill overhanging the town. The
grounds are we'll laid out and kept in good
order. Valparaiso needs a first rate hotel.
There are a number of inferior ones, chiefly
kept by Frenchmen. The restoratcurs, how
ever, arc very good and much frequented.