The Republican journal., 1892-10-20


a stage is erected in the church. OF in tn,
open air close by, and species of dra
matte representation is enacted for TIL,
amusement of. the spectators. At othe
times an auction is held, at which grea
variety of objects which have been pIovid
ed for the purpose by gift OF purchase
are sold to the highest bidders, the
auctioneer being chosen for his power O
keeping the crowd in a roar of laughter
Epiphany is celebrated in January, and as
in Peru is called 1.-The day of the three
Kings st. Sebastian's day follows i'm
mediately after and is made civil as vel
as Il religious feast, because it was under
that the aboriginees were conquered and
the French driven out of Brazil and the
foundations of Rio de Janerio were laid.
For this reason the Governors and mem
bers OF the local municipal chambers take
prominent part i'll the celebration and are
allowed instead of the Priests, to carry the
Image tl lHt ANdllll III JlONCSSloI ii
the streets. Then comes the Intrudo, on
carnival time, which extends through the
three days preceding Lent, in which
everybody participates with the apparent
determination to crowd enough amuse-
ment into that short time to atone for the
long restraint anticipated. Men. women
and children, i'll high life and low, give
themselves up to it with AN abandon in
striking contrast to their usual inactivity
People passin. along the streets are sd
luted from every balcony with showers of
waXen balls, made in the shape of eggs
and oranges and filled with colored water,
bespattering, as with pale gore, whatever
they hit. When the waxen balls, which
are for sale in the shops, are consumed,
syringes, basins and often pals of water
trians are drenched but people in their
houses, in playful combats with one an
other. The Intrudo is no respector of
persons, and ladies' priests and strangers
are as sure to get ducking, if they ven
ture abroad, as the veriest street gamin.
Such great excuses grew out of this
sport, that it was prohibited by law in the
principal cities some years ago. Now a.
days in Rio and Para it is conducted more
i'll the dry and humorous style of New
Orleans. Rome and Paris, with bon bons,
flowers, fine cut tnsel and colored pow
der for missiles; but in the rural districts
it RACES unabated-a perfect saturnaia of
water.
Ash Wednesday is one OF the most inn
portant days in the Brazilian calendar, in
the street in solemn professions. attended
by the populace bearing lighted candles,
those who are honored by being permitted
to march single Tile, alongside the images
carrying waXen torches several feet long
Each group OF images is led by a Priest
and a number Of little girls dressed to
represent an)inhoS tangels). with galize
wings and spangled skirts extended over
enormous hoops, and on each little head a
wonderful tiara of plumes and ribbons
scattering roses upon the pathway. Com
pancs Of soldiers and bands of martial
music lead and close the professions, and
frequent palses are made in the slow and
measured march, to give people i'll the
balconies and on the housetopS oppor-
tunities to admire and shower the images
and angels with flowers.
Palm Sunday is worth coming all the
way to Brazil to see, on account of the
magnificent display of real palm branches
Holy Week, by which Lent is terminated,
is here designated as "wednesday of
Darkness: ''Thursday, of Anguish"
''Friday OF Passion and ''IIalleuiah
Saturday.,
Thursday OF Anguish begins on the
noon of that day and ends the following
noon. and during that time the ringing of
bells and explosion OF rockets is suspend
ed. The light of day is excluded from all
the churches and their interiors illumi
mated by millions OF candles, in the midst
OF which, on the chief affairs. the Host is
exposed, guarded by two men clad in scar
let and purple silk. And figure of the
body OF Christ is laid under small clois-
ter with one hand extended. which the
crowd press to kiss, at the same time de
posting money on a silver dish beside it.
At night people promenade the streets
and make the round of the churches. in
each of which the same scene is enacted
Friday continues silent us the grave,
and ii funeral procession bearing repre-
sentation of the cotfined Saviour, passes
slowly through the streets. At night is
another procession, in which BRIGHTLY
decked anjinhos figure largely, bearing
emblematic devices pertaining to the cruel
tiXion. One carries the nails, another the
hammer, the third the sponge, the fourth
spear, the fifth the miniature ladder, the
sixth the cock that gave warning to Peter
the seventh the dice box with which His
garments were ratified, and so ON. Every
window and balcony is crowded with deep
ly interested people, and the scene is in
deed imposing. Imagine long lines of
gowned men, each bearing in one hand an
immense torch and in the other leading an
I