The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-06-21
MISC laLLnANMGWSo
THE FESTIVAL AND ITS
CONSEQUENCES,
A SCENE IN NAVARRO.

II II was a fine afternoon IN the spring ol
llS34, the birds were cheeriully singing on
} he trees. the nocks and herds COn;eLIedll
Icropped the young herOage, and the air,wa'
Iperlumed with odours. Not only did the
! ce of nature brightly smile, but some
,|ies,ive ceremony was evidently about 10 be
Iperlrmed in the village ol--,in Navarro
'lNumbers Of young girls were seated at lhel'
lccuage doors, weaving garlands OF spring
,IAowers, willis, several youths looked Oh
land encouraged them. Here and there al
old man wrapped in rus'y-brown cloak
almost as ancient as himself, stood obsefV-
'ng the juvenile groups, and on the 'hreS-
IhoId of miserable hovel sa, an old woman
singing wild air, accompanied by un.
cou,h gestures, bu. whether they be!okened
10y, grief or anger, 1t would have been
| iffiruI, for stranger 10 determine.
A, length The damsels rose, each bearing
in her hand the blooming wreath she had
en,wined, and tho whole party proceeded
TO small plaza or square, in front OF the
church, where waving their chaPle'S grace
fully, they danced 10 the sound of large
,ambourine. and mountain.pipe, called
he gaeia the tones of which strongly
resemble those Of The bagpipes. Nor was
The human voice wanting; the harsh and
IIiscordan, chan, of The beldame was again
heard, and by her Sde a lean rlckesy boy
4bou, fourteen with wiry tlaxen hair, i'm
5ecile look, and unmeaning grin, beat time
" cIapping his hands. The dancers be-
came more and more animated every mo
| nent, the fine hair of the young women
which had hitherto been plated and arrang-
ID with natural good taste, was by some
sudden process, allowed 10 fall loosely on
| heir shoulders, and a, the same momenl
each maiden placed chaplet on her head,
he young men singing larger garlands ac-
ross their breasts, like the broad ribbons Of
:hivalric orders.
At the conclusion OF the dance, the grea
rates of The palace were thrown open, a,
he eastern end The alter, resplendent from
he effect of numerous large wax candles
,ad an imposing appearance. The cuta,ol
lriest, babied in richly embroidered vest
nenls, stood under the porlico, and spread
Ing forth his hands bestowed blessing
oo the people, who kneI. reverenlially lC
receive it.
While this act Of devotion was in pre-
gress, loud creaking sound was heard,a
presently small body of men we're seen
advancing along the road which rurs close
by the square Their heads were covered
with The flat cap called La Boina;Ihey wore
coarse brown cloth jackets, and loose white
linen lrowsers, their waists being encircIet
i with broad red woolen sashes, below which
AID in front, were strapped their cananas
n carlridge-pouches, instead OF shoes they
had apargalas, or pempen sandals, they
were armed with musketS, and bayOneu
witt out scabbarGs were stuck in their belts
! This vanguard was followed by four waIn'
each drawn by Two oxen, guided by
peasan, be1ring long staff with goad a
one end. The oxen moved very slowly, lh'
= creaking noise being produced by the evo
: lulions Of the heavy wooden axlelree OF ih'
walns, which were followed by a muci
larger party, clothed and armed in the sam'
manner as that in advance, the whole be
ing commanded by an officer in uniform
Three Of The bullock.cars contained each
. new bronze mortar of moderate size, ,h
fourth was laden with ammunition bOxes.OI
their arrival in the plaza, The escort uncov
cred their heads, knelt and received lh
priests benedlclion. The sssemblage Ihe
rose, the tambourins and mountain pip
struck up, the old woman resumed her dis
=. cordsnt song ,.he half wiled urchIn clappe
r. his lean hands more vshsmently than ever
d ,he young men sndmsidens moved toward
10 The walns with solemn dancing sIeP, an
6nsIy, The gmIs decorated tho horns an
)" Ineck of the oxen with Ibs wreaIhs the
7e had been gracefully waving during ii
snce, while The youths encircIed the mo