The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-12-01
NUMBER SO.
ALLsAINTs, DAY IN NEW ORLEANS. .

Yesterday, in pursuance Of immemo-
rial custom. the ceremony Of decking the
tombs was observed with something more
than the usual 'pomp and circumstance"
in the different cemetries. This solemn
observance Of the 1st Of November is Of
Catholic origin, and was instituted in com.
memoration ofthose unremembered Saints
whose names have not found place "a
the Calendar.
To those who have never Witnessed the
festivity of "All Saints" the scenes yes
terday offered peculiar and novel attrac-
lions. During the entire day preceding
the festival. every avenue leading TO the
cities Of the dead was crowded with a
dense throng of jostling pilgrims. each
bending under load Of flowers, deoora-
tons, and waxen tapers, or of whatever
else might serve as offering to the memo
ries Of departed kindred, herewith to dec.
crate their tombs, and TO stand as mute
emblems Of that hope, which pierces be-
yond the dark valley and shadow
1t was a various and dusky congrega.
lion that ,hronged those crowded avenues;
and from among the strange people that
made the pavement groan under their hur-
rying tread, the searching ey e might pick
out singularities Of every hue, and repre-
senting every nationality. There was
gray haired antiquity. that seemed the res.
direction of forgotten age, and blushing
lovelness warm with the quick blood Of a
new and nervous lie. Not before mid.
night were the decorations complete. II
was then that thousand tapers and wax
en- lights every where covering the tombs
were light up, and light flashed over the
scene, imparting to it an almost magical
brillianoy.
Strange figures fitted along the narrow
aisles, ;heir features the while assumnga
ghostly pallor in the uncertain light
Some bowed in silent alteration before the
dark houses wherein mouldered their per-
ished affections, while some whispered
audibly their Are Maria for the peace
of departed souls. Strange and bearded
men were there in thai solemn congrega-
lion, whose heardeDed features gave mute
denial to the softer sentiments uttered by
their lips-young girls, too seeming Joy.
Gus 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 howl.
ed 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
disiurbers Of the solemn soitudes.
An night was this strange picture pre-
sented 10 the wandering eye Of gszing GU
riosity, and the morning found these pa.
tent devotees still at their supplica,ions
for The ease Of departed souls. Through.
outihe ensuing day the crowds increased.
and at night.fall such congregation had
assembled that it was a wonder to see.
However strange may appear the OBJ
serVances Of the Feast of All Saints
there is in il poetry and religious use
that commend il TO our veneration. 1t is
useful, inasmuch as it keeps alive spirit
of religious veneration and it is pleasant
in that it preserves in green remembrance
the virtues of dead kindred and friends.
Keeping alive as they do those associa-
tions with which we all have been famil-
lar when the hearts fountains were not
dried up and the Lares were unbroken,
the ceremonies of All Saints are beau
tiiul obServances. Let them be never for
gotten--N o. Crescent, NOT. Q,