The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-03-19
The World as it Is.

People are humbugged, and they always
have been humbugged-and many act as if
they choose to be. The incident noted be-
low Of the exhibition by thu Catholic Bishop
of Treves ola coat without seams, which he
pretends was worn by the Savior when on
earth, proves the preneness Of men to run
after fabulous things, and shows also the
wickedness of men in deceiving the ignorant.
The story reads thus:
1t does not appear that the garment in
question, was ever publicly exhibited before
about the time Of Luther. During the 10th
century it was thus exhibited five times; and
since that time, only in 1865, 1874, 1765, H.
| Is, and 1874.
A letter from Treves, written during the
exhibition las autumn, says
1.-THE case in which it 1.-The coat is con-
tanned, is of the form ofthe tunic, like the let
ties T :; and at the base. on either side, is an
aperture, through which the officiating
priests introduce the medals, pictures, books,
and other objects to be blessed by contact
with the sacIed vestment. The manner in
which it is inspected, is in procession, formed
in double line, marshalled by the Prussian
gendarmerie outside the doors Of the cathe-
dral. The procession advances slowly, I'M
til the steps of the high altar are passed; and
momentary pause is made before the relic,
to gaze upon it and depositan offering. The
amount collected in this manner must have
been very great, for each day produces an
enormous heap, in which, though copper
predominates, great deal of silver appears,
and now and then, gold pieces, and scheme
or paper money. When state that this pro-
cession bagins to form at an early hour in the
morning, and contir ues TO stream into the
cathedral until midnight, with no other in
! PERMISSION than the occasional closing ofthe
doors to prevent too dense crowd, some
idea may be formed of the numbers that are
daily admitted. To facilitate the approach to
strangers and foreigners, certain hours are
set apart, when, by applying at different
l. door, admission to the cathedral is given, and
the line of the procession is intercepted, thus
obviating the necessity of waiting for some
houis, bare-headed in the streets. The
mass of people endure the delay without an
impatient look; they keep close file,it is true,
but are chiefly engaged in chanting the Ave
Maria-the women first, then the men-in
clear ringing tone. Where all the crowds
come from, seems wonder; but the stream
is continuous, and its component parts are
always changing. In point OF custume it is
curious, the head dresses of the women be-
ing of such various form and color, and The
physiognomy and expression so different.
The finest Of the procession is witnessed at
night, when the cathedral is lit up, and the
deep tones of the vesper bell peal through
the aisles like the diapasion note Of an organ.
The body Of the church is but feebly ilIumi-
mated in comparison with the altar, where
blaze of light surrounds the shrine; but this
comparative dimness adds TO the effect, as
the pilgrims slowly advance along the centre
aisle, between rows of banners between the
tombs of the electors whose heavy foldssweep
the marble floor. 1t is impossible for any
building TO be better adapted for The purpose
of procession, than this old Byzantine ca
thedral, as the floor continues to rise,by sue
cessve flights of steps, from the nave Of the
choir from thence TO the lower altar, and
from thence again, on the South side, by a
high fight leading TO the altar of St. Peter;
whichis thus elevated, at least, twenty feet
above the western entrance, and enables the
spectator to catch a glimpse oft upper part
of the relic the instant he enters the aisle.
The streets of Treves are, at this moment,
scarcely less attractive to the stranger than
the cathedral; from daylight till dusk, and
from dusk TO daylight again; with bula short
interval for sleep, there is one continuous
movement and hum of people, all having the
J same object in view, to JOIN the professions.
The sight witnessed, they spread over the