Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-28
THE GAZETTE.
THURSDAY MORNING, JASUARY 2s, 1858.
MIDNIGYTMAss AT THE MADELEINE

MIDNIGHT MASS AT THE MAGpELElNE.
The midnight mass of Christmas eve was
celebrated at the NJ ,gdeleine in all Its wont
ed splendor, and once more attracted vast
crowds 10 it's solemn and striking ordinances.
By 10 O'Clock the vast interior OF the maggie
leine, ipcom psrably nobler and more impos
inc then lighted up at night than when seen
nnder the dull, imprisoned rays forced into
il unyracefully aud unwilhngly by day, was
occupied By dense assemblage, filing area,
tribunes, and upper galleries, and waiting
patiently two hours for a ceremony which
was to endure two hours more from its CON-
mencement. Nothing could be more orderly
ard edifying than the general aspect of this
immense congregation, composed almost in
equal numbers of men and women, and OF
every rank of the population, from highest to
lowest. The rich and drswing-r0om-iike de-
coratous of this magnificent church put forth
all their splendors for the occasion, and the
eye was dazsled by the display on all sides
Of rich draperies, carpets and gorgeous can
delabras and priestly sestments, sparkling
under blaze of light, 10 the midst OF which
the superb white marble altar with Its lofty
figure of the Virgin, borne aloft oy winged
angels of gigantic size-one OF the hnest
works of Pradier--itted itself and it's bright
illuniuations as sun light centre OF attrac-
ton. From time to time NJ. Fable Daguel.
~. the Cure of the Magdeleine, crossed the
spacious platform before the altar and scam
ed the congregation with bis keen eye. to see
whether the enormous ed fee would yet bold
more ere the doors were shut regulation
yery properly adopted before the service be-
gins, especially at such an hour OF the night
and with the motley aud irregular crowd
which congregates around the building QUE
Fl e, and which puts stop also to that per
petnal ingress aud egress and shutting and
scufiing Of feet go disagreesble t. the ears OF
an Eoglish cburchmau in continental places
of worship. At quarter before midnight
the unequalled organ poured out gush OF its
liuuis notes, and at the same time whole
company of priests, in their golden draperles,
issued forth from side door, and With that
exquisite scenic effect, better known or more
imposingly praeticed IN no other stage
streamed of, each bearing the Holy Sacra
ment, and accompanied by bis attendant
ministers and crOss-bearer, to every altar
within the sacred precincts. and midnigt
mass began. "Que voulez couSf' said g
Frencbmsn, 10 answer to a remark made
1--WE have need Of this sort Of thing, rou'
autres, the different nature Of your services
pre.supposes an internal and individual trair
of devotion which is not generally found
among US, or requires at least stronger
stimulsut to draw it forth" To locker-on
on Thursday night, the devotional. though
excited, aspect of the vast multitude which
filled the Magdeleine, was highly editying
and the most gratifying feature OF the cere
mopial The performance OF the mass itself
as q musical ceremony, was great falling
off ss compared with last year.
The Magdeleine and its uncomfortable or
gan sustained an irreparsble loss IN NJ. Lei
buhr-Wely, 40 artist well worthy OF 80 mag
pi6ceut an instrument, but who through
some unfortunate misunderstanding With th'
authorities of the church. has given up hi
post. The organ, in consequence, was bare
" decertly handled, and the enchanting I'M
persopi6cations of former years ON the Crane
theme Of the nativity were sadly missed b.
all who are fortunate enough to be able Z
remember them The number Of communi
cants, both male and female, was unusual IL,
great; the long line of rails before the higt
altar was filled again and again by tot
crowds which pressed forward from the bod,
of the church, and o'clock bad struck be
fore the great gates were thrown open, aut
the last burst Of music and the llgbt
streaming out upon the darkness OF TIT
night announced to the crowd outside tina
the ceremony was over.-Letter from faraS