The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-07-25
Sketches of Lima.
From Colton's Deck and Port

FRIDAY, APRIL 10. All good Lima
neans with the president and his cabinet
at their head, made, last night the circuit
of the principal churches. In each was
a representation, in efigy, of some scene
connected with the Crucifxion. In Sar
Lorenzo was the Last Supper. The table
was spread within the chancel in front oi
the high altar, and was loaded with the
richest viands and fruits, while each plate
had its bottle of wine and roll of bread
A profane epcure might have forgotten
the sacredness Of symbols in the culinary
skill and taste which they displayed.
In the church of San Domingo was
represented the accusation before PLATE
Beneath the high altar sat the Roman
governor, with h;s oonrt nithar hand
before them raved the accusers, while
within stood in silent meekness the divine
Victim. Near Plate knelt page, with
bowl of water in one hand, and nap.
kin in the other, that this arbiter of life
and death might cleanse his hands Of
guilt. The whole scene betrayed an ex-
travagance in attitude and emotion better
suited to the drama than the solemnity
of the occasion.
In the church of San Francisco the
slender trees of Gethsemane cast their
still shadows over the kneeliug form of
the Son of God. BY his side stood an
angel with that cup which might not pass
away. In the great Cathedral, the sum-
NIT of Cavalry, with the cross and the
crowd, rose in solemn gloom. In San
Pedro, the Roman guard, with drawn
swords, kept their grim watch over the
tomb. The moral effect Of all these ey-
hibitions in Protestant community would
bo to impair the awful reality, and even
here they appeared to inspire but quail
fled reverence. The mass gazed as a
curious child stops in its play to look at
a picture that has momentarily caught
its rowing eye.
SATURDAY, APRIL IL. The great band
of musicians, connected with the army,
passed through the principal streets Of
Lima last night, playing funeral wall.
The subdued strains rose through the
silent air mournful as melodies from out
the grave. This was intended to be sig
nifcant of the anxious sorrow which
watched around the tomb where Death
had temporarily asserted his empire over
the Prince of Life.
AT an early hour this morning the
church of San Augustine was filled to
overAowing with the beauty of Lima. A
large ckoir and orchestra had been
brought together on the occasion. The
music commenced in strains Of lamenta-
ton and grief; and at last burst into ex-
pressions of the most triumphant joy.
At this moment the bells in all the towers
of the city, and which had been silent
since Thursday, rung out an exulting peal
This was the announcement of the Res.
direction The whole assemblage fell OF
their knees and joined in the Ilosannl
which seemed to shake the pillars of the
great edifce.
The whole scene was now changed
Throughout the city gladness lighted eve
ry countenance. and the gayest attire
took the place Of the gloomy sables
The conlectionaries, the fruit-stalls, tn,
wine-shops, the blliard-tables, were al
thrown open, and were filled by crowd,
giddy with the excitement of the joyous
transition. Mothers played with thei
infants; maidens twined jessamine- e-hower
in their locks; children fired off theil
crackers cripples neglected their crutch
es creditors forgot their insolvent debt
ors and even the barefooted monk
passed you without soliciting charity
He strobe on, independent as lord.
SUNDAY, APRIL H. The jubilatioI
continued through the whole of last night
Evening found the living tides of tn,
city upon the great public square. Herr
every species of trick and merriment
with the humor of the hour, convulse,
the crowd with laughter. Al distnc
tions and all restraints were cast aside
All classes and all colors mingled to
gether like leaves of the forest in tn,
whirl of the autumnal winds.
Some were fddling, some dancing
some niggling, some nudging; some de
claiming, some drinking; some pilferinl
nosegays, and some picking pockets
some making mischief, and some making
love. Here a harlequin turned somer
sets, snd there half-naked rope.dance
figured on the suspended cord. Here
Punch and Judy played off their pugilis
tics, and yonder a puppy and porcupin