The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-28
E A S T E r.
How the Holy Anniversary is Celebrated in
Various Parts Of the World.
CURIOUS RELIGIOUS CEREM0NI les.

between March % and April 25 Inasmuch as there
was constant discussion with regard to the proper
date for its observance, the Council OF Nice APP
pointed the first sunday after the nrst full moon
following the 21st OF March; and az the moon
fued this year March 81, It follows that Easter
occurs on March 20, which Is Its earliest possible
happening.
Easter a festival which with US is chiefly con.
nected with spring bonnets and abnormal egg
shaped confectionery Ornamented with various
devices-many OF them trivial, many OF them beau
tiful-is still contemplated In other countries as
o season OF great solemnity. and as Offer
ing all the most pleasing features OF re.
lIgous worship as a commemorative testimonial TO
che important event 1t recalls. From time I'M
memorial its celebration mas been characterized
by peculiar ceremOnials in each OF the three great
churches which recognize Its lmportance-the
Roman Catholic, Protestant Episcopal and Greek.
EASTER IN ENGLAND
Although old customs are perhaps continued In
their observance with as much fdeity In England
in any other country yet, in the course of time
many have become forgotten or have grown dis.
agreeable TO the changed tastes OF the people.
This fact Is noticeable with regard to many fes-
rivals and holidays, and the manner OF conducting
the observances belonging to these diners greatly
In different counties In Kent, for instance GER
tain generously disposed persons bequeathed
twenty acres OI lauu W tue local poor,
the rents to be divided among them
every Easter. forever. So every Easter Sunday
afternoon there are divided there 600 cakes and
27o three -anda half pound loaves OF bread. each
accompanied by one-and-ahaI pounds OF cheese.
The giving OF Easter eggs Is custom generally In
practice throughout England, particularly in the
northern counties. These eggs are there, as With
MENTAL designs and nscrpoms x Common
pastime among children is that OF cracking eggs,
the one whose egg cracks tine most and remains
seek who can catch hare and carry it 70 the
fortunate person is made happy by the
custom In Kent Is called "Going pudding pieing."
The young folks make calls and are treated with
very desirable article OF pastry made up OF GUS
n AUSTRIA. POLAND AND HUNGARY.
The customs In these countries are similar, and
Palm sunday every one obtains consecrated
sprg OF something green at the church, where
early days OF the week are not marked by any
ceremonies OF peculiar interest. Tne churches,
people evidently interested and devout; but
on Thursday the more impressive ceremonies
incense Is burned itsestrong perfume making the
air heavy, and all are preparing for the solemn
the crucinxion is symbolized BY the priests, and
everything IS solemn and religious. On Saturday
night the close Of Lent is celebrated by parties
and social gatherings. where endowment rules the
hour. On the morning Of Easter Sunday It is
common among al classes to sepd pam, eggs aud
Monday the young men 90 forth armed with
whips made OF willow and ornamented with colored
ribbons, and proceed TO call on the young ladies'
OF their acquaintance. Such OF these as
/ early risers escape molestaton. but those who
are prone TO be too much under the influence
OF the drowsy god are aagelated with the whips
OF their male friends until they buy their ransom
! themselves q N
gentlemen In the same manner. The afternoon Of
Easter Monday Is devoted to foot races and
classes. Every manner Of equipage turns out
and the streets are cfowded. The churches OF
are the opera houses ana concert rooms OF New
York; but, strangely enough, only ~ this period.
amusement, though why is mystery On Holy
Saturday 1t Is the custom for all who can obtain 1t
tue luxury put up with Kid as an alternative, anu
the number OF these species OF animals thus annu-
ally sacrificed Is great and melancholy.
! SPANISH CUSTOMS.
In Spain begins to be seen the ancient glories Z
religious festivals description OF Easter at
Seville will give good deA OF the manner IN
when the season Is celebrated in the CHIEF cities
1t being there however, more magnidcenty Oh.
served than elsewhere. Early in the morning OF
! Palm Sunday the melancholy sound OF the Passion
bell announces the beginning OF the solemnitles
Cathedral a sombre procession OF the church
0ncers, clad IN long robes OF black silk, their
heads sarouded in hoods, preceded by thirty
brOsian cnant and, accompanied by o full band
PLAYING the grand music peculiar to the OCCASION
| winds slowly through the aisles, swinging aoit
/ palm branches which bend in graceful curves
above their heads These branches are blessed
distributed among among tie Citizens who '" tie
them to the ratings OF their balconies
lightning The affairs are covered with purple
curtains, the organ IS SILENT and priests and
cbOristers chant the narrative OF Chrst's cruel
nixon in deep and solemn voices. The various
characters In that awful drama-Pontius Plate,
Peter and the Maid-are filed in with the tenor
and counter-tenor voices with wonderful effect.
On Easter Eve Saturday an immense pascnal
candle, twenty.seyen feet in height and thick in
upon marble pedestal by the side OF the great
altar where 1t is lighted by so.called 'holy fire."
is performed benind the great veil which for the
last two weeks in Lent hides the great altar; now
the priest chants ''Glorla IN excesis, Deo,n the
ven Is raised, fireworks are sent or in the upper
galaries ana the four and twenty bells In the
great tower proclaim to the city and are answered
from $50 steeples, that 'Chrst is risen % Mus
kerry ana cannon are fired, ana stuffed figures
supposed to represent the body, Of Judas, are
shot, hanged, drawn and quartered in the streets,
HOLY WEEK IN ROME.
We come now to the ancient city, the capital OF
tourists who can by any possibility SO time their
movements as to see Rome during the Impressive
and magnificent ceremonies OF Holy Week. All
throughout Italy 1t Is The custom TO keep watch
and WARD over the sepulchres in the churches from
Good Friday to Easter Sunday, at midday The
bells during this time tied up-in some local..
ties to prevent them from falling into the hands OF
the ucVL.
In Rome the ceremonies OF the Passion Week
commence with Palm sunday, when the Pope dis
tributes the consecrated palm branches. The car
dnals dressed IN their richest costumes, assist at
the ceremoncs-a procession Is formed, masses
are sung and incense floats through the air. Tne
KISS OF peace Is then given 0y the Pope TO
one OF the cardinals, who passes IL TO
another, and 80 1t goes on through priests
and acoytes and the whole holy ONCE. ON
Wednesday the Sistine chapel is crowded oy those
VINO are fortunate enough TO obtain admission
to near the far-famed ''Mserere" sung by the I
No M
impressive IN the word-continues, the candies /,
are one by one extinguished, and 1t concludes in
perfect darkness. The effect borders on the sub
lime, and frequently the most lrlghtiul terror and
dismay are induced among the excited audience !
by the soemnity OF the scene. On Holy Thursday |
the Pope washes the feet OF the pilgrims, SO called
by courtesy alone. As their pilgrimage usually ex-
tends no iurther than from the Campagna, and !
sometimes only from the streets OF Rome, where /
they pCk up q precarIous living by begging. How.