The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1882-04-19

sober minded bishop than the present
incumbent, and when the city walls
were still standing, this event was
celebrated in much more elaborate
manner.
A donkey was led out of the town
and literally plastered over with
tinsil stars; some one, it mattered
little who, was then placed upon its
back, crown OF thorns on his head,
and a purple robe on his shoulders.
Then surrounded by crowd amount
ing to thousands, the donkey was led
along the dusty road to the city gates
which were closed against its en-
trance and held by guard Of sol
diers; a halt here took place, and a
chant began, accompanied by a vig-
orous pounding upon the gates.
Finally these were thrown open and
the donkey passed into the town, its
triumphant path lined on either side
with little children, arrayed in gauze
dresses, with wings to represent
angels ; these accompanied the pro
cession through the city, strewing
flowers before the donkey as they
passed along.
In Rome such a procession would
at least have been conducted with
outward respect; here-but let us
give two or three instances out Of
many in point, and we need say no
more-we have already stated that it
it mattered little who the represent
tative of our Saviour might be,
whether a wooden figure OF a living
person, and sometimes either vas rath
er difficult to be procured. On one &C
casion halt>witted boy was pressed
into the service and passed through
the city, attended by the usual crowd,
some OF whom recognizing the
slouching, laughing rider, saw fit to
jeer at and turn him to ridicule.
Hating his donkey, the thorn>
crowned and purple~robed repre>
sentative Of the Omnipotent, re-
strained by the priest from dismount.
ing, shook his fist at his prosecutors
and assured them, with trighttul
oaths, that as soon as he was done
playing Christ, he would thrash the
lives out Of them !" Verify had a
bolt descended from heaven and
stricken those who were more to
blame than the idiot blasphemer him
self, it had been but justice.
On another occasion an immense
crowd was pressing into the cathe,
'dFaE, 1Uii1wfnsss III the TRAIN OF "a
priestly procession which bore the
effigy of the Saviour. The broad
plaza was thronged, scarcely was
there standing room, when suddenly
cry arose, one but too familiar i'll
this effervescent republic, GA revolu.
ton, a revolution !' In one second
as it were, the priests were over.
thrown, their sacred burden trampled
under the feet of the fleeing worship
pers, the plaza deserted and not a
sign of life was visible, where all had
been so full OF activity.
1t was night when this c01atretenapS
took place, and the next morning re-.
vealed a ludicrous sight, the plaza
and cathedral floor being thickly
strewn with shoes, sandals, slippers,
hats, crucifixes, scarts and wells.
Over three thousand odd sandals
alone were picked up and other arti-
Giles in proportion. All this turmoil
and confusion was caused by a
drunken Italian, who, losing his bal~
ance, overthrow his neighbors and
straightway entered into pitched
battle with them, while the by.stand-
ers, panic~stricken, raised the cry
which had so magical an effect.
On another OCCASION during the re-
cital of a portion OF the services on
Palm Sunday by the tnen Holy In~
cumbent," the latter being as usual
the worse for liquor, became incensed
at the too near vicinity OF a colored
worshipper, descended from his altar
and with the palm branch he had III
his hand, literally thrashed the un>
fortunate devotee all the way down
the aisle and drove him out on the
plaza The Bishop, wiping the per~
spiration from his brow, returned to
his place and proceeded with the GER
emonies amidst the titterlng Of the
congregation. But enough; let us
turn from the celebration OF Palm
Sunday.
II Wish / Had CaDital.''