Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1878-08-10
MERCEDES OF SPAIN.
HER SOLEMN REQUIEM IN THE CHURCH
OF San FRANCISCO Ell GRANDE.
(F,Om the LODdOn Standard

@ (Faom the London Standard.)
Tho Church of San Francisco is situa-
ted on little piazza surrounded with ug.
Unlocking houses, and all around ext end
the popular ba'7ios Or suburbs of the
Bridge of Toledo and markets. This part
of..Madridis in hab;ted by the most Radi-
cal classes of Spanish society, and is not
a little tainted with Fedcralistic doctrin-
es. 1t accounts for their silent indiffer-
ence towards the ceremony of to-day.
The entrance to the church on the square
is large portico, supported by four mas
sive columns in gray marble, and under
it is the great door. Directly you enter
yor fluid yourself in the church, which
consists in large central rotunda, faux
ed with six al tars right and left Of the
principal altar. High overhead towers
the dome, which is bold structure con-
spicuons above all the steples of the
capital.
Before 8 o'clock the invited spectators
began to arrive, and about four thous-
and at least entered the church, the
great majority being ladies, clad in deep
mourning and wearing mantillas. The
gentlemen in evening dress contrasted
with the brilliant concourse of uniforms.
The spectators included most Of tho aris-
tocracy and persons Of political cmi-
nence. Perfect order reigned. and the
arrangements We're complete. In tho nave
every inch of space was occupied.
The aspect of the interior of the church
was very imposing. Tho light from the
windows in the dome had been nearly
shut out, and this caused Il very striking
effect. There were thousands of tapcrs
lighted in the crystal and bronze chan
deliers, and these cast q splendid but
lurid glare on the walls, which were
hung with sable cloth and black velvet,
here and there relieved with argent
bands, .fcurs dc lis, bright cscutcheons of
the Bourbon and Orleans arms, emboss-
ed wreaths of roses and evergreens, and
some banners. Even the dome and it's
cornices were draped in mourning up to
the windows, and right round the cornice,
behind the lights, were hung the coats
Of arms of the ancient Spanish Kingdoms.
In medallions were the letters M. O."
(Mercedes, the Orleans). In the centre
of the church stood a large catatalque
several metres high, representing Il white
monument, adorned with crowns of flow
ers, evergreens and roses, sent by many
towns and corporations. This was
lighted up also with rich candelabra
and hundreds of tapers, and was
HnnlSal 1v cto tina
ing four heralds, kings at arms, with
coats of the houses of Bourbon and Or
leans, and holding white banners with
the feur de lis On the superior part of
the catatalque was the sarcophagus, with
wreaths given by the royal family and
surmounted with the insignia of royalty.
Suspended form the dome was Il monster
crown, and four long sable scarves ex-
tended across the dome in the shape of Il
cross. The altar, which is Of Carrarl
marble was magnificent; its fine bronze
lamps and chandeliers were one blaze Of
light, set up in relief by the dark back
ground of its black velvet panels, which
letter "M,' surmoucted with crown.
Behind the altar was q towering statue
Of the Virgin dc las Mercedes. On tie
steps and within the railing Of the altar
stood many priests.
Cardinal Moreno, the Primatc, Official
ted. He wore his pontifical robes, and
with him We're the Nuncio, tho Cardinal
Patriarch of til Indies, and eleven bish-
ops. They We're assisted in singing the
requiem Mass by some distinguished
singers.
During the Mass the scene was very
grand and imposing. Several times the
sound of artillery mingled with tho bells
and the chants. Now the organ would
fill the building with solemn strains of
music of Spanish composers of the Six
teenth century. Then the sl1rill voices
of children sang the solemn ''Dics Ic:p"
hymn. and at last the voice of siynor
Tamberlicl1 rose above the choir in the
" Miscrerc Domino" psalm. 1t was Il
thrilling scene, and beyond description
The noble church was crowded wi ID
mourncrs Of every rank, and through the
open door one saw the multitude outside
behind the glittering lines Of guards.
After the Mass, the Bishop of Salaman-
ca. from the pulpit, made a long oraison
J"ncbre of Queen Mercedes, praising her
qualities and deploring her premature
death. His voice was hardly audible to
the assemblagc. Near his pulpit were the
ministers of the Crown, and close to them
were the special ENJOYS and their mis-
SiOOS OnDOSitc tho PrpSiInnt and tba
Diplomatic Corps. Next sat the Depn-
ties of the Cortcs and the members of the
Senate, with their Presidents. Marshals,
generals, delegations, the representatives
Of the army. tho naNY. the courts of ms