New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-11-02
.4LL SAINTS Day.

Yesterday, in pursuance Of immemorial Gus
tom, the ceremony of decking the tombs was
observed with something more than the usual
"pomp and circumstance" in the different
cemeteries This solemn observance of the LIST
of November is of Catholic origin, and was in
stituted in commemoration Of those unremem-
bered Saints whose names have not found a
place in the Calendar.
To those who have never witnessed the fes-
tivity of "All Saints the scenes yesterday Of
fered peculiar and novel attractions. During
the entire day preceding the festival. every
avenue leading to the cities Of the dead" was
crowded with dense throng of jostling pill
grims, each bending under load of flowers,
decorations and waxen tapers, or of whatever
else might serve as offerings to the memories Of
departed kindred, Herewith to decorate their
tombs, and to stand as mute emblems of that
hope which pierces beyond " the dark valley
and shadow"
1t was various and dusky congregation
that thronged those crowded avenues; and from
among the strange people that made the pave
ments groan under their hurrying tread, the
searching eye might pick out singularities of
every hue, and representing every nationality.
There was gray haired antiquity, that seemed
the resurrection of a forgotten age, and blush
ing loneliness warm with the quick blood of a
new and nervous life. Not before midnight
were the decorations complete. 1t was then
that thousand tapers and waxen lights every
where covering the tombs were lit up, and a
light flashed over the scene, imparting to it an
almost magical brilliancy.
Strange figures fitted along thenarrow aisles,
their features the while assuming ghostly
pallor in the uncertain light. Some bowed in
silent alteration before the dark houses wherein
mouldered their persisted affections, while some
whispered audibly their ".are Mario" for the
peace of departed souls. Strange and bearded
men were there in that solemn congregation
whose hardened features gave mute denial tc
the softer sentiments uttered by their lips
young girls, too seeming joyous for the black
melancholy brooding over all, and withered old
women, dry and parched, making ghostly
shadows on the tombs. A scene it was, so wild
and wierd, that it looked not of the world
There was an unearthly twang in the singing Of
the winds that smacked of the spirit land. The
keen gusts as they howled around the SHARP
corners of the grave stones, and as they swayed
here and there the snowy decorations, made
them show like ghosts that seemed to threaten
the disturbers of the solemn solitudes.
All night was this strange picture presented
to the wandering eye of gazing curiosity, and
the morning found these patient devotees still a
their supplications for the ease of departed
souls. Throughout the ensuing day the crowds
increased, and at night-fall such a congregation
had assembled that it was wonder to see
However strange may appear the observance'
Of this " Feast of All Saints there is in it
poetry and a religious use that commend it t.
our generation. 1t is useful, inasmuch as il
keeps alive spirit of religious veneration; and
it is pleasant in that it preserves in green re-
membrance the virtues of dead kindred and
friends. Keeping alive as they do those associa-
tions with which we all have been familiar when
the hearts fountains were not dried up and the
Lares were unbroken, the ceremonies of All
Saints are beautiful observance. Let them
be never furpotteni