Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-06-14

Others, that it is perfectly distinguished IRON
civil costume, no one ever wearing red, while
the same time it is in itself attractive and strik-
ing to the eye. But what especially surprises
me in all the British troops ever saw is the
miraculous neatness of their constant appear
ance. / have repeatedly stood by soldier and
examined his whole dress with close attention
and in every instance have received the same
impression, that the clothes could not have ap-
peared fresher or more spotless, had they JUS
proceeded from the hands of the tailor.
/ was fortunate in being at Quebec on We'd
nesday. the day fixed for the weekly trooping o.
the column, when Isaw fine review on the mo-
bic esplanade. But the next day had an I'M
expected and still richer treat, that of following
the regiment to the Heights of Abraham and
seeing it drilled in sight of the monumental col
umn there inscribed with these words, "Here
Wolfe died victorious, 1862" This exercise in.
cluded lecture by the Colonel on the new sys
tenn of drill, the whole of which was enabled
to hear partly by the singularly clear enunca'
ton of the speaker, partly by the zeal of my
young French cab-driver, who kept close upon
the horses heels and once or twice barely saved
me from the ignominious defeat experienced by
Mr.. Pckwick. @ c e
omitted to mention that the environs ol
Quebec for miles are now beginning to be stud
ded with the ornamental villas or more perma'
nent abodes of wealthy gentlemen. A.
A Miracle in Naples-.-Liquefaction of the
Blood of San Genarro. - q
Learning that tho semi-annual miracle of the
liquefacton of the blood of San Genarro was to
take place on Saturday, being the last day OF It's
eighth repetition, we repaired at an early hour IN
kl. 80 sf1fo md
so great was the crowd that it was with ditl-
Guilty we could gain an entrance The ceremo-
ny Of liquefaction is the greatest religious festi.
val in the kingdom, and such is the Importance
attached to it by the ardent imaginations of the
Neapolitans, that all the conquerors of the city
have considered it necessary piece OF State pol
icy to respect it.
Before proceeding to give an account of the
ceremony, will explain what is meant by the
iquefaction. In the right aisle of the Cathedral
of Santa Restituta, is the chapel of San Genarro,
in which are preserved two phals said to con.
tain the blood of the saint. The ceremony OF
quefaction takes place twice in the year, and Is
each time repeated for eight successive days
The tradition OF the church represents that
when St. Janarius was exposed to be devoured
by lions in the ampbitheatre of Pozzuoll, the
animals prostrated themselves before him and
became tame This miracle is said to have
converted so many to Christianity, that ORA.
contius ordered the Saint. to be decapltated,
which sentence was executed at Salfatara IN the
year 305 The body was buried at Pozzuoii up
til the time of Constantine, wheni it was removed
to Naples and deposited in the church of San
Genarro. At the tire of this removal woman
who is said to have collected the blood with q
= tha of ri
in two bottles to St. Severus, the bishop, in
whose hands it was said to have Immediately
melted. The iron. tabernacle which contains the
phials is secured by two belts, one key being
kept by the municipal authorities, and the other
by the archbishop, and is only opened IN the
presence of the people.
The ceremony of the liquefaction commenced
on Saturday in the church of Santa Chiara, from
whence after mass an immense procession with
| bands of music, chorsters, bishops, priests and
soldiers bearing crucifXes, banners and candles
proceeded with the phials of blood to the cathe
dral. This procession was three.quarters OF
mile long, and in it were soldiers bearing large
silver statues of saints, presenting one OF the
most imposing spectacles ever witnessed.
At the Cathedral, some time before the cere
monies commenced, number of old women, ol
the lower orders, who claim to be the relations
of Saint Janarius collected around the balnstrade
of the altar, exhibiting the most wild and un
controlable excitement. Some of these women
were very old, and exhibiting countenances shrlv
elled and wrinkled beyond anything in the torn
of humanity have ever seen. Immediately al
ter the first mass was finished they commenced
fearful howl, repeating in hoarse and croak
ing voice to the extent of their lungs, Paternos
ters, Aves and Credos When the saint delays
the liquefaction too long they even claim th'
right and often do heap imprecatlons on hln
with all the fervency that accompanies thel
prayers. -,
The relics were exposed in one OF the sid,
chapes, called the Chapel of ST. Genarro, which
was msgnifcently decorated, the altar beint
brilliant with gold ornaments and diamonds ant
| precious stones. The face of the altar is OF mas
sive silver, cut in statutes of basrelief represent
ing the history of Cardinal Oaretfo's bringing
back the head of the Saint to Naples. All tn
dukes apd princes were also present in the robe
of royalty; and soldiers, with muskets and bsyo
nets, were scattered throughout the immense ed
| ifice their pluines waving over the heads OF TIT
people in every direction. The Saints head
with a rich mitre upon tit being liked in th'
statue OF the Saint-with an archbishop's man
tie about the shoulders of the statue, and riof
collar of diamonds and cross about the neck
was the first sight that attracted my attention
The bottles containing the blood, one OF which
appeared like pitch, clotted and hard in tn
glass were then shown to the people and turne'
UPSIDE down to show that the blood in it wa
hard and insoluble. They were then placed OF
one side of the altar, one appearing like smell
ing bottle, and only had mere stain OF blood
. whilst the other was larger, aud seemed to holt
enough to fill wine glass; They were show
to the persons admitted within the balustrade
among whom were a considerable number O
English Protestants After being placed on tn
altar glass case was put over them through
which they could be seen by all present.
! A series of Masses was then commenced, a
the conclusion of each of which the old womeI
set up most fearful and unearthly howl, th
drums and trumpets Joined in the discordan
blast, and it was difficult to imagine such hor
ribe clarnor to be intended for Christian worship
They. however, seemed almost frantic with re
ligious feryor, as did also the priests and larg
portion of the people present, the cries, scream
and sobbing pervading every part OF the edlhce
These Masses were continued from o'clock II
! the morning until o'clock in the Afternoon
without cessasion, except for another procession
in the afternoon, during which thirty-hve large
solid silver statues of saints and martyrs wer'
carried by the soldiers. At the conclusion o
the procession the Masses were again resumed
with all the accompaniment of excitement ant
caror that prevailed in the morning, withou
the desired liquefaction of the blood taking
place. at o'clock, however, the glass was
gain removed from the bottles, and the bloot
in the larger one was found to be as limpid a
water, and was shown to the people amid tue
greatest rejoicing, the beating OF drums, th'
clapping of hands and the blasts OF trumpets.-
The old women were perfectly wild with ex
element and many of them fell down exhausted
while the roar of cannon from the Castle Almt
announced to the people that the miracle was