Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-06-02
HOLY WEEK IN SPAIN
Medieval Ideas and Customs
in the City Of Madrid.
SOME CURIOUS CEREMONIES.
Novel Sights That Annually Attract
Large Parties of Tourists From
Europe and America.

The aspect of Madrid, and in fact OF
all other Spanish cities, during the Holy
Week, is of nature which carries one
back to the middle ages. So curious are
the various ceremonies which take place
during the eight days preceding Easter
that large parties Of tourists, which this
year include number OF well-known
New Workers, visit the Peninsula for the
purpose of witnessing them. From Thurs
day evening until Sunday morning no
carriage, cart, tramcar or omnibus is al
lowed in the streets. All the sentinels and
troops when on duty carry their arms re-
versed, as if at funeral, and the officers
have Grape on their sword hilts and epau-
lettes. Women Of all classes are
dressed in sable hues and wear the ma
tional mantilla. Music and the sound of
bells is forbidden during the whole Of
the Passion Week. On Thursday, Fri
day and Saturday strict fast is observed
from one end of the country to the
other, and during these three days more
than 1000 men, dressed in long white
linen robes, with white linen wells,
pierced with three holes for the mouth
and eyes, drawn over their faces, patrol
the streets OF Madrid and Seville, carry
ing crosses and lighted wax tapers in
their hands, and chanting psalms.
On the last three days of Lent the
Archbishop Of Madrid, followed by
hundreds of priests, walk in pro-
cession once a day through
all the chief thoroughfares of the
city, sprinkling holy water on the crowd
assembled there, and praying in loud
tone of voice for the the people. The
procession, which is composed of monks,
priests and members OF various religious
orders, is over two miles in length; and
litters draped with gold embroidered red
velvet bearing the wooden images of
saints are carried by men hired for the
purpose, who are gorgeously attired in
medieval costumes. In front march
twenty-four monks, carrying on their
shoulders the statue of Our Lady of
Almudena, the patron saint of Madrid.
This statue is literally ablaze with SUI
perb Jewels, lent for the occasion by the
Queen, and all the ladies OF the aristoc-
racy, who deem it an honor and privil-
eye to send their most costly gems to
adorn the image OF the Virgin. On the
head of the statue sparkles the Queens
crown, and around its neck, arms and
ankles are string after string of priceless
pearls, chains Of enormous diamonds,
collars of emeralds, sapphires and rubies,
which fairly dazzle the eye as it is borne
along in the brilliant Southern sunlight.
One of the strangest jewels which figure
around the neck of Our Lady of Almu-
dena is ring which bears curious con-
nection to tie misfortunes which have
afflicted the royal house of Spain during
the last two decades. 1t is magnificent
opal, surrounded by diam onds. The late
King, Alfonso XII, gave it to his cousin
Mercedes when he was betrothed to her,
and she wore it during the whole of her
short married life. On her death
the King presented it to his grand
mother. the Queen Christina, who
died soon after. Then it passed
to the Kings sister, the Infanta del
Pillar. The latter at once began to
sicken, and in few days breathed her
last. Alfonso then handed it to his Sis
ter-in-law, Christiana, the youngest
daughter of the Duke of Montpensier,
but IN three months she also was dead.
His Majesty now resolved to retain the
baneful jewel in his own keeping; but
he, too, soon fell victim to its mysteri-
GUS malignancy. By order OF the present
Queen it has now been suspended by a
chain around the neck of the Virgin OF
Almudena.
In front of the Palace of Cortes large
platform is erected for the Queen and the
members of the Court. As the process
sion advances, all the occupants OF the
grand stand fall upon their knees and
remain in that position until the last of
the pageant has gone by. Occasionally,
10 o,aA
when the procession passes. Last year
it was an Englishman from Manchester,
who deemed it undignifed to follow the
example of the crowd among whom he
stood in the streets in Seville. Two
toward him with drawn swords, and in
a threatening manner ordered him at
least to remove his hat. On perceiving
their menacing attitude the worthy
Briton squared up his fists and prepared
to receive his aesailants in accordance
with the rules of the Marquis of Queens
berry. He was, however, at once seized
bv the crowd, who forced him down on
his knees, and then kicked and pounded
him into unconsciousness, convinced
that in 80 doing they were accomplishing
an act pleasing to the church.
A curious ceremony takes place on
Good Friday at noon, in the Throne
room of the Royal Palace at Madrid.
This ceremony is observed in commem-
grafton of Christ's washing the feet OF
the Apostles. Twelve old people are
brought before the Queen. who, assisted
by the Grand Mistress of the Robes,
kneels before them in turn, and, dipping
a richly embroidered elk towel in gold
basin, washes their feet. They are pre-
sented with suits OF clothes, purses of
money and huge baskets OF provisions at
the conclusion of the ceremony, which
ali the members OF the Court are invited
to attend.
On the same day, in accordance with
a pious tradition, the Minister of Justice
submits for the Queens signature, the
free and full pardon of the three prison.
ers living under sentence of death.
These documents are placed on table
in front of the high altar of the palace
chapel, and, at the end OF the vespers,
the Court Chaplain, approaching the
Sovereign, pronounces these words:
Madame, does Your Majesty grant
her pardon to these criminals"
81 pardon them, so that God may par
don me-" answers the Queen Regent.
In every church tables draped with
black velvet, and bearing gold and silver
plates engraved with splendid armorlai
bearings, are presided over by ladies be-
longing to the very highest ranks OF So