The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-06
OUR QUEBEC CORRESPONDENTS.

QUEBEC, May "a, 1853
The Roman Catholic Church in Canada-Fust and
!Secend Communion and Rite of Confirmation
Contersted and Comfortable Circumstances of the
Peo7se-Difrent Course Pursued by the British
Government tcith Reference to Canada and Ire.
land &C.
About month since, the first communion was ad-
ministered to large number Of young people-pro-
baby eight or nine hundred-at the Roman Catho
lie church in st. Roches suburbs and also in the
upper town and everywhere in the streets during the
day and for the remainder Of the week. children Of
from nine to thirteen fourteen years of age-the
boys neatly dressed, and wearing white gloves and
favors and the girls dressed in the purest white and
wearing long VEIL Of the same color, thrown over
peat little muslin bonnet and descending behind
Utmost to the feet revealing the ruddy heathful and
happy countenances of chidhood-were every where
10 be met with.
Unfortunately had not been made aware that the
ceremony was to take place, but kept careful look
out for the second communion and the confirmation
which accompanies it; and learning that these rites
were to be administered on Thursday last, took
care to be at the Church of St. Roche that morning
before six o'cock-the hour appointed for assem-
bling conceivng that the bull ling would be crowded
different services Sundays being estimated at ten
thousand. In this expectation, however, / was dis
appointed owing, probably to the cold rain storm
which prevailed, there but a thin attendance
of spectators in The galleries. the body Of the church
being appropriated for the accommodation of the
Youthful yOtaries OF religion.
Az few minutes past six the Bishop entered
from the OF the altar accompanied by eight or
nine priests and other attendants wearing supplies
one Of whom carried the pastoral crook, another a
staff surrnounted by q gilt cross, and third the
mitre suspended before him-who assumed their
stations on the right and left of the altar. The
priests assisted the prelate to robe and disrobe, pre-
senting everything in the most respectful manner,
and which he sauted with a holy kiss.
Simultaneous with the entering Of the Bishop,
procession Of boys and another Of females Dire 5sed
az already described, and which had been formed
NJ the nunnery opposite the church, made their APP
pearnnce at the opposite extremity OF the building
and passing down the central aisles, took possession
vf the pews either side, with the greatest order
aud regularity, under the direction OF tue nuns, who
conducted this branch OF the proceedings with
much tact and an unmstakable air Of authority
The number OF females estim tied at about three
hundred and sixty-while that Of the boys might be
,Aimated at two hundred and fifty.
Everything being Ia readiness the Bishop CON-
ueaced celeb atlng high mass BY this time, eight
" ten young females had assembled in the organ
talery, where was seated, whc, during the entire
thch have been arranged in French and are adapted
Ia airs at once popular, simple, and fascinating,
eing accompanied by the organ, which was played
by one OF the best performers, think, ever hearo
and who. conceive, would DC an acquisition even
IN New York.
Just previous TO mass being concluded, the chill.
slren began 70 assemble in front Of the railing OF the
chaurel FIR the purpose OF receiving tne'r second
.ss4~saisos, winch euecteu w,tnout ..e ie.st
err " yo3frsiol. AT the sane instant, the boys