The morning call., 1890-06-16

ing over ones head in undisputed possess
sion Of the field. The pendant webs sway
= ing with every breeze were certainly pictur-
esque when looked at from an artistic stand
point, and they also made good targets for
=. balls and bean-bags, and we succeeded in
bringing some down in that way, Some
times they would fall unlimited, and the spi-
ders were too social. So we pr0tested--they
must come down. The maid smilingly told
us that the entire house, walls and ceiling
would be swept before Easter for the an
:nual blessing. So we waited in patience,
blessing the custom which gives us clean
rooms once year. On the morning of
: Friday before Easter our maid came in BEAM
ing with smiles and informed us that the
priest had arrived, and as every room in
the house must be visited separately we
shared in the benediction. 1t was a very
simple rite. A priest robed in a long pur-
pie velvet gown with the embroidered
"camicia" entered, carrying the Jasper
sorio." with which he sprnkled the "aqua
santa as he pronounced the blessing. He
was attended by boy clad in a long mus
lin robe, who carried the "piletta," con-
tanning an additional supply Of the sacred
fluid. This quaint old custom is observed
throughout all the cities and towns of Tus-
cany.
A GRAND FIESTA.
The next day Saturday is celebrated
8 La Gran fiesta della Colombia" when the
the contadini Uhe peasants) from miles
around Florence congTegate in the Piazza
del DuOmO" to see the "cOlOmba" dove
make the flight which to them is a prophecy
Of success or failure of the seasons crops.
a chariot laden with fireworks and
decked with garlands of yaricolored paper
Is drawn in front of the cathedral.
The central doors are thrown open and
wire is stretched from the high altar to the
chariot. At the stroke of the great bell in
the tower the dove, which is mechanical
arrangement, pursues its course along the
wire, enters the chariot, sets off the fire.
works and returns into the church, amid
the approving "bravas" of the multitude.
If the flight OF the dove is sure and swift, as
Il was this year. every one is happy; but
If it is unsteady and hating, as sometimes
happens, the poor peasants are sad, fearing
poor harvest, and they flock to the
churches, and casting themselves before
their patron saints implore their assistance.
The steps OF the Duomo were covered with
seats, and there were also many inside the
church each side OF the doves course. A
long procession of priests and dignitaries,
including Cardinal "Bausa," Archbishop of
Florence, marched through the crowd and
took seats i'll the church TO witness this Ger
emory.
RESULT OF A PILGRIMS VOW.
THIS interesting fiesta had its origin CEN
turtles ago in the piety OF noble pilgrim
TO the Holy Land. he was the founder of
the 'Pazzi Family" While on his journey
to Jerusalem, amid the manifold hard
ships and dangers by which he was sur
rounded, he made vow to the Virgin that
If she would bring him safely back to Flor
-ence he would yearly acknowledge his
thankfulneSs by public ceremony. So
when he was safely home he instituted this
fuIfllment Of his VOW. He decrapd
in his will that after his death his family
Should each year bear the expense OF this
celebration or forfeit their entire heritage.
So once every year. at high noon, this car is
fired in front OF the cathedral Only half of
the fireworks are burned here, however,
and Immediately Rfterward four magnificent
snOw-whte oxen, with garlands of flowers
about their horns and necks, and broad
bands of red and yellow flannel about their
bodies, walk slowly through the crowd and
are fastened to the car, and then draw it to
to the old "PaZzi Palace" where the r5-
mainder Of the fireworks ara burned. But
the car itself is of great antiquity, and hav-
ing been used III battle, it is an Interesting
relic.
THE STANDARD OF FLORENCE.
In the old days, the standard of Florence
was placed on a wooden car, twenty feet high,
and drawn by four snow white oxen. So
that it could not advance nor retreat too
rapidly, but should serve to keep the SOL
diers steady, bell was on the top and was
constantly Tung during a battle. And as
the car was so high it was easily seen by all,
and was the rallying point for the whole
army. 1t was guarded by band Of chosen
men, the flower of the army, and they were
to die, rather than give up the car. The one
used at the Easter celebration was one OF
those old battle chari0ts hundreds Of years
old, that has borne the standard Of Florence
III many battles, a beloved and sacredly
guarded relic, only to be seen on this occa-
sion, This fact is Lot generally known, and
am indebted TO an old Florentiue resident
for this bit of information.
On Easter Sunday the churches were
gorgeously decorated, the Church of Santa
Maria Noyella being especially beautiful.
The walls we're deliberately hung with gar
lands and bouquets, the floor in front of the
high altar and before many OF the chapels
was covered with carpets of flowers, ar
ranged in different patterns and composed
mostly Of roses.
GREEK CELEBRATION OF EASTER.
A week later came the celebration Of
Easter by the Greek Church, of whose
members there are many here, mostly Rus
SLAMS. We secured an invitation to the
midnight service, which ends the fast OF
Lent, aud ushers in the joyous Easter day,
very Important service and the most unique
] ever witnessed. We arrived at the church
at II 80 o'clock and found ii brilliantly
Illuminated with candles, and the priests
long flowing garments of rich white mate
rial, embroidered in gold, with many small
Greek crosses and with heavy gilt borders.
There was no high altar and the priests
were raised only one step above the floor
81 the church. La front of this dals was
long table of highly polished wood; on the
top was painted a picture OF the cTucl1Xl0n.
As each person entered they went directly
in front of this table, where they knelt and
Frustrated themselves until their faces even
l,aH rpnga1pn
of devotion several times. Then, rising,
they bent over the table and kissed the
painted figure three times; then TOOK tnelr
seats, each carrying long, unllgnted taper.
At II o'clock the church was well niieu, ana
as the bells were tOlling the hour the sery-
ice began, one priest reading ana then
others, who stood at one side, chanting re-
sponses to the organ accompaniment, the
audience meanwhile deyOutly listening,
crossing themselves and Joining IN lie re-
spunses, kneellng or standing, as the sery-
Ice required
CHRIST IS RISEN.
At the close of this part of the ceremony
the priests carried the table into room at
the rear of the church and then came out,
one bringing a small cross. another Dlple
and another the sacred images belonging 10
the church. They were followed by boys
clothed in long white robes ana carrying
lighted tapers, and double male quartet,
singing most charmingly appropriate music.
They marched through the center OF tne
church and out into the hall. The doors
were closed. Then a young girl stepped
forward and lighted her taper from one Of
the candles, and others quickly lighted
theirs from hers, and soon every taper was
burning. All remained standing and the
music coming to US from distance was
very solemn aud Impressive. After few
minutes the procession returned and
marched back to the rear of the church
and disappeared and all was silent,
save the harmonious voices of the
singers. AT last a priest came out and
holding up small cross, announced in tri-
umphant tones, "Christ is risen" In
stantly each one blew out his or her taper
anu turning to those nearest to them en-
braced each other affectionately and kissed
three times on the cheek. Then they went
forward to the priest and kissed first the
ba bald tha III