Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-15
wRrAKIyo VENGEANCE ON JUDAS.


Ash Wednesday Ia one Of the most important
DAYS in the Brazilian calendar, in which scores
of images are borne about the streets in solemn
professions, attended by the populace bearing
lighted candles, those who are honored by be-
ing permitted to march single file alongside
the images carrying waxen torches several feet
long. Each group of images is led by priest
and q number OF little girls dressed to repre-
sent anjinhos (angels), with gauze wings and
spsnglsd skirts extended over enormous hoops
and on each little head wonderful tiara of
plumes and ribbons, scattering roses upon the
pathway. Companies of soldiers and bands Of
martial music lead and close the professions,
and frequent pauses are made in the slow and
measured march to give people In the baiconies
and on the housetops opportunities to ad-
mire and shower the images and angels with
flowers.
HOLY WEEK
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 An
guish." Friday Of Passion and "Hallelujah
Saturday" Thursday Of Anguish begins on
the noon Of that day and euds the following
noon. and during that time the ringing of bells
and explosion Of rockets are suspended. The
light of day is excluded from all the churches
and their interiors illuminated by millions of
affairs, the Host is exposed, guarded by two
men clad in scarlet and purple silk. And
figure of the body Of Christ il laid under a
small cloister. with one hand extended. which
the crowd press to kiss, at the same time de-
posting money on q 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 the grave and a funeral process
sion. bearing a representation Of the cof-
fined Savior, passes slowly through the
streets At night is another procession, IN
which brightly decked anjinhos figure largely,
bearing emblematic devices pertaining to the
crucifxion. One carries the nails, another the
hammer, the third the sponge. the fourth a
spear, the fifth a miniature ladder, the sixth
enth the dice box with which His garments were
ratfied, and so on. Every window and balcony
Is crowded with deeply interested people, and
the scene Is indeed imposing. Imagine long
lincs Of gowned men, each bearing in one hand
an immense torch and in the other leading an
angel" soldiers With helmets in hand and
arms reversed, marching with measured tread
behind the sacred coffin; the solemn chanting
Of priests and children and the majestic minor
strnins Of the marche funebre walled on the
evening air. semi-darkness added to the weird
effect
Hallelujah Saturday, or Judas day." IL the
greatest contrast Preparations have been made
beforehand. and at q particular stage in the
morning services rockets are let OF In front Of
the churches, the explosion indicating that hal
lelujnhs are now being chantsd in heaven.
Then the fun begins, and the vengeance Of the
people is wrecked upon that inglorious apostle.
Efigics Of poor Judas, in every part Of the
town. ure made to suffer every species Of shame
and torment The traitor is hung, strangled,
drowned, burned; he is shown up In dre works
and fantastic figures Of every description, in
company with devils, dragons, serpents and
s~h
upon and devour him. Even the negroes and
small boys have their Judases, which they drag
about with ropes and hang, stone, beat, punch,
drown and burn to their hearts content.
AyrzR LENT, JoI.
Lent being safely over, Easter Sunday II
ushered in by joyous strains Of music from tho
finest bands and grandest orchestras; by nlu-
minating the churches with greater splendor than
ever; by the triumphal discharge Of rockets
from the housetops and cemeteries, and Of ar
tilery from the forts and batteries; by balls and
merry markings among al classes; and, as In
our own country, every female who can AFFORD
II, celebrates on her own account with new
''gaud and gear" IL not in Easter bonnet. But
the strongest of all il the great Whitsunday
feast Of Espiritu SAnto-ths Holy Spirit In
preparation for this, begging professions go
to secure funds. They canvass and recanvass
the city, its suburbs, the shipping and surround
ing country. and nothing which can be con-
verted into cash is refused The collectors wear
red scarfs, called capas, over their shoulders
and display flags on which the form Of . dove
Is embroidered surrounded by halo or
gloria" They are always attended by must
clans Commonly negroes) with drums, 6fes,
banjoes, harps, guitars, any sort of instrument
that viii make a noise. and the best players arc
hired at the highest rates. Their cry 10
Holy Ghost, and Is seldom made IN vain. They
hand tho dove-embroidered Gag in At the doors
and windows for the faithful to do, quickly fol-