Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-07-02
"CORPUs CHRISTI" IN VALENCIA

lty Sunday. III IS the commemoratlon
of the actual presence of the body of
our Lord ut the conservation Of the ele.
ments of the communion All the pre-
ceding festivals from Christmas to the
season of Trinity have been leading up
TO this final one. And now the true be-
levers celebrate by every means in
their power this dogma, which in times
past caused so much dissension in the
church. Nowhere is this celebration
seen to such an advantage AS at Valen-
cia, where certain rites are then per-
formed which are unknown everywhere
else on the continent.
On the Vigilia' or eve of Corpus
Christi Day, as the cathedral bell in the
tower of the Miguelete strikes twelve
O'Clock noon, procession issues from
the main entrance Of the building, at the
head of which rides the dean OF the do
cese, mounted on a snow-white mule
beautifully caparsoned with purple vel
vet On each side at the head of the
mule walk two of the principal citizens,
holding the bride. The dean is bare
headed, and as he advances and the
crowd increases he stretches out his
hand and bestows his blessing. The
poorer classes Of the throng strive to get
near enough to kiss his hand. From the
balconies fronting on the streets through
which the cavalcade passes are scat,
tered branches of palm and laurel and
rose leaves At a respectful distance
behind the dean come band OF music
and huge cars called rocas, on which are
depicted scenes from the Old Testament
the garden of Eden, the fall, the
death Of Abel, etc.
On top of them ride beautifully
dressed girls, who throw among the pop
ulace sugar plums and verses commem-
oratiye of the occasion printed in the
Valencian dialect. Behind these rocas,
of which there are eight each drawn by
eight horses, come equipages containing
wealthy and influential citizens, and
close after them follow the children of
the charity schools in their respective
uniforms, The procession is closed by
military band aud regiment Of in
fantry, supported by two battalions of
cavalry.
On leaving the sacred edifice the pro-
cession first proceeds to the palaces of
the Captain General and the civil Gov
ernor, and invites these dignitaries and
their suites to be present at and take
part in the ceremonies of the morrow.
The line of march is then taken up for
the "Casas Consistoriales, where are
assembled the Mayor, alcaides and other
city officials, to whom a similar invita-
ton is rendered. These duties etiquette
fulfilled, the procession returns to the
cathedral and is dismissed for that day.
During the evening the bands of the
garrison play in the plaza Of the cathe
dral, which is brilliantly illuminated.
At sunrise of the following day sa-
lutte from the guns at the artillery bar
racks announces the opening of the fes'
tivities. The usual early masses are
held up to ten o'clock. Crowds fill the
plaza, gayly attired in their gala cos
tune, and the bright colored, many-hued
dresses OF the peasants of both sexes
the men With their broad-brimmed SOM
breros, and the women with their man
tillas-add much to the picturesqueness
and enlivenment of the scene. Music Of
all descriptions and from all sorts of
instruments is to be heard on every side.
Here whole family is giving vent to the
most outrageous discord on broken
reed-ppe, a pair Of cymbals, cracked
harp and a tambourine; there man is
singing amorous ditties, with q guitar"
accompaniment, to a troop OF young
girls. Every one is in good humor, and,
unlike similar assemblages in our own
couAtry or England, there is no drunk
enness, no disturbance, and consequently
no necessity for policemen.
At l0am m. high mass is celebrated,
az which the archbishop, assisted by all
the canons of the cathedral, officiates.
There is of course a full coro, and the
two large organs, augmented by string
and wind bands, fill the vaulted naves
and chapels with sounds that you can
feel as well as hear. There is no sermon,
but Immediately on the conclusion of
the mass the procession begins to hle
out OF the main entrance in the follow
ing order: In the advance are driven
the eight rocas in the same manner as
on the previous day. At suitable dis
tance follow eight artificial giants in
couples, supposed to represent the four
corners of the globe. After them come
eight artificial and preposterous dwarfs,
also in couples, and having similar
Specification.
Next we see the royal crowns of the
old kingdom of Valencia carried by two
men dressed in the ancient costume of
the Spanish princes-gllt crowns and all
complete. Following these are biblical
attired en- regle. Figuring
largely among these latter are Jacob and
his family, the aged Methuselah, the
Twelve Apostles, etc. Preceding each
group are bands of music, generally of
the most peculiar order, and of a nature
to distract soul sensitive to harmony.
Sound seems to be great desideratum,
and such being the case. the object is at
tanned. Now the religious portion Of the |
display commences. The images from
the altars of the various parish churches |
are first to come in sight. Some Of these,
as that of La Virgin de los Desampara
dos ("Virgin of the Unfortunate are
magni6cently decorated with gold and
silver and precious stones their dresses
often costing fabulous sums.
They are borne on the shoulders OF /
boys belonging to the schools and char
table societies, clad in appropriate uni
forms, and singing hymns in honor OF the
Virgin or some other saint. Following I
! a. ~.