The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-04-22
The Old Cathedral.


This venerable building was. on Thursday last
resorted to by hundreds of those who wished to
show their penitence and humility The old mon
ashc church stood, as it were aoof from the wings
upon each side. The temples dedicated to the law
the higher Courts on the side, and the Munich
pal Court on the other, have been renovated and
now look like modern by the side of some
monument of old The tall, gray Cathedral, reared
its ancient spire to Heaven but the towers wherein
the bells that have tolled the death-kne and rung
the merry marriage music of thousands, were silent
1t was day dedicated to the :: King of Kings -
it was the 8: Holy Thursday Of Passion week 1t
commemorated the occasion of the Last Supper -
of our Saviour, who, when surrounded by his dis
cples, gave them his last earthly blessing There
were over two thousand commitments kneeling at
the altars at various periods during the day. and all
seemed fully sensible of the solemnity of the occa-
sion. Grand Mass was ceebrated-after which,
many persons came in to adore or communicate in
spirit with the g Son of Man. In the niche upon
the rght-hand side, stood basse relieuo of the
Virgin and her Child. Upon table near by, was
bronze figure of the Crucifixion, and underneath
a higher portion of the altar, cross covered with
purple slk-the color mathematical of the blood
that g,lshed from the wound inflicted by the spear
man, upon the person of the Divine Nazarene On
the other side was niche dedicated to St Francis;
this was half covered with parti-colored drapery.
which entirely concealed the face of the Saint but
underneath, there was an altar composed of the
most gorgeous flowers-whose radiant beauties were
lighted up by nnumerable candles in silver candle
sticks. The church was crowded by those devoted
to the Catholic religion, and presented scene that
was solemn and interesting in the highest degree.
Our dark-eyed Creole beauties, with their gilt
edged prayer-books in their hands, would walk in
with an air that seemed to say that beauty was a
part of religion. Dipping their taper fingers into
the holy water and crossing their foreheads, they
would then walk up the aisle and kneel down to
prayer. We saw many women there whose gar
ments betokened that dear friend had not long
been laid in the grave. They knelt before the pic
ture of Christ carrying his cross, and prayed no
doubt, that they might have strength carry theirs
Persons of all classes bent down before the shrine
of Religion. There was the broken hearted man
Of the world-the gray-haired man, whose feet
were on the brink Of the grave-the blooming girl,
whose charms We're budding into womanhood-and
the wrinkled, care-worn widow, to whom love was
but memory. Then again, were the old servants
of ancient families; and then ragged, pale faced
creatures, who looked as though they did not dare
to approach too near the altar. The whole scene
was beautiful and solemn, and calculated to I'M
press the heart with the purity of virue and endow
the soul with full reliance in the power of Him who
rules above. Yesterday was Good Friday-the
anniversary of the Crucifxion The ceremonies
OF this occasion were Of the most imposing nature,
and showed reverence and respect for the tortures
endured by the God like Hero of Calvary, for the
benefit of a sinful world.
IL Perseverance Fire Co. No. 13-A the men,
the Regular
Monthly Meeting, which will place MONDAY EVENING
NEXT, April "a, at hai-past O'Clock.
ap2O CHAS, H. CHURCHILL.