Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-12-17

atoHS INC aisieS, until We reached Tue
altar. when the organs swelling notes
burst forth, and in an instant all were
kneeling. One was crossing himself,
another counting her beads, and another
breathing an ave to some favoritc
saint; and on looking round, | found that
| was the only one that was idle. The
next moment the shrill, unearthly notes
Of the choir, hidden far up in one of the
naves, followed the organ in the path of
melody.
The gilded altar, lighted up with in
Vulnerable lamps, shining dimly in the
golden light of the sun, the officiating
priests, in their flowing robes, and scar
let mantes printed with gil, crosses, the
boys clad in vcstments of white, swing
ing the glittering censers to and fro, ILL.,
ing the convent with frankincensc, the
rich swelling melody-it was indeed a
bcwilderng scene, and we'll calculated
to affect and make captive the minds of
the young and the ignorant,
The music ccased-prayers were then
said, and so deep was the stiffness which
followed, that the breathing of the peas
ant beside me could be heard. When
these Were finished, one of the priests
struck up a monotonous sort of recita-
tive, which lasted about five minutes, and
towards the conclusion he advanced to a
large gilded grating of iron, which sepa-
rates the nuns chapel from the public
altar. There was momentary pause.
He then m1dulated his tone 10 deep
chant in which all the friars joined their
voices swelling and anon suosidns into
a gentle murmur; then a low qucrulous
chant was commenced by the nuns it
gradually increased in volume, it grew
louder and louder; one powerful rcnding
peal of the organ, and the vast curtain
vas suddenly drawn aside, and discov.
cred the nuns in their chapel; then arose
the grand chorus nuns, and iriars, and
the bows, and the kneeling crowd all
joined in the universal jubilate, aud the
convent seemed to shake with the torrcn.
Of sound and melody.
The candidate for the veil was scarce
sixteen. Her hair was glossy black, her
eyes dark, her complexion fairer than
that of the generality Of Spanish ladies
She was crowned with a chaplet Of white
flowers; in fact, she wore a bridal dress
By her side were arranged her friends;
a little dark-complexioned man proved
to be her father; the mother was tall
majestic looking woman, with traces OF
lingering beauty, and by her side stood
her son a tall young man, IN the uniform,
of lancer Of the Royal Guards. H'
had ali open, inteliseu countenanee, and
appeared to be the only one present who
felt for the poor girl; for there was a
melancholy watching Of the eye, and eT'
| er and anon a moving of the bps; and
fancied could read his communinss with
himself, and his bitter reflections upon q
ceremony which could consisn one st
young, so full of life, so calculated to
sdorn and bless society, to living
tomb
As the priest entered the chapel, the
music ceased, and the young girl advanc'
ed to him, supported by her mother, fol
excitement and the struggle within had
oyerpowered her. The color had faded
from her cheek and tear tremb.ed III
her eve She tottered up to the priest,
who chanted forth few melancholy
notes, and gave her his blessing. The Ia
dy aobcss then stepped forward and took
off the wreath Of flowers which h d
confined her hair. and her dark locks cs-
caped and fell in rich luxuriance to the
ground. One by oGe her ornaments
were taken off. and plseed.in a~ss.r~ts1
the benefit of the convent; the scissors
were then applied to her hair, which
strewea the pavement of the chapel
Then burst forth peal of music, swell
ing higher and higher, and louder and
louder: it seemed as though the vault OF
the convent would burst With the volume
of sound. l. fell upon my ear like a
shout OF victory, peoelaimlns the triumph
of superstition and ignorance over one
of the loveliest specimens of the A.
migh'ys handiwork-
Again the music ceased, and Tor few
moments there vas silence that was op
pressire. The feelings of the brother
during this spelllike silence. as he gazed
upon his young sister still lovely
though shorn of every ornament-paie'
trembling. about to give up forever the
sweet hopes of youth, its joys and Its
sorrows. its loves and its iriendshlps,can
be imagined.
As he stepped forward to bid her a
las, arewell, he hesitated, his eye glls-
tened with moisture, his lips we've for a