The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-01-23

| innumerable window cases of black lava.
apparently set in at random, and general
y minaret or Moorish dome, and always
a steeple full of noisy bells which are per-
petually pounded upon by long handled
hammers. All are approached through
ponderous iron gates, and entered through
triple, arched. tlamboyant porches. above
each Of which is set a life size figure of
the patron saint. One sees every here
traces of the fingers of master architects
which antedate the Spanish occupation of
the islands and hint of their earlier
Golden Age.
The auditorium is always spacious and
lofty, huge columns, 3 to 10 feet square,
supporting the groined and yaulted cell
ing; but, unfortunately, the fine effect is
generally spoiled by gaudy gliding, tinsel
decorations and bouquets and festoons of
the most unnatural paper flowers. Such
churches as the Matriz and Conceao at
Terceira, the Matriz at Fayal, the San
Francisco and Matriz at Ponta Delgada
are among many Others reSplendent with
handsome frescoes, richly gilded affairs,
real gold and silver candlestcks. Dutch
tiles and blue panel pictures in porcelain.
illustrating Scriptural scenes Above the
side chapels are often nailed the coat of
arms Of wealthy families who have paid
for the privilege; and before scores of al
tars silver lamps are kept constantly burn
ing, the votive offerings of absent natives
who have each deposited a sum of money
for the purpose There are organs in a
few of the cathedrals. But as rule the
sounds extracted from them are conducive
to feelings the reverse of pious One organ
in Ponta Delgada boasts of trumpet at
tachment and its tin panny tunes are
simply eXcluciating. In many of the ed
itices it is the wonderful carving that
commands most admiration. Perhaps the
, best example of this work is seen in the
Jesuit church of san Miguel Nothing
on the continent of Europe is superior to
the delicate carvings of its ceiling and al
tars. Age has deepened the rich. dark
hue OF the wood and the delicate tracery is
as perfect day in every line and stipple
as when it came from the obscure gray
ers hands, centuries ago. bat even tile
name OF the artist has been long since for
gotten. Besides these carvings are often
rich pictures, the productions OF the old
spanish masters. admirable to-day in
spite OF tie obscuing dingiuess wrought
by three or four centuries OF smoking in
eense. But as a rule, the images of the
saints in these old time sanctuarjes sneak
OF the degenerate present, being rudely
hacked out of wood, dressed in soiled cot
ton, bedizened with faded ribbons and
gaudy paper flowers, their heads sur
rounded by stiff metallic rays of glory.
The patron saint of Ponta Delgada S
Matriz church looks like North Ameri-
can Indian, with head dress of feathers.
war-club in hand and two arrows sticking.
into MS side. or course there was origin
ally some tradition concerning him. but it
seems to have been entirely forgotten bv
the present generation: at least | am un-
able, after many inquiries to learn
anything about it. Every church has
from one to a dozen caricatures of
the Saviour, any one of which would
aesthetic people than the Azoreans In
the church of Livramento is wax figure
OF Christ bearing the cross, so bloody and
repulsive that children crv and women
turn pale at the sight of it; and in the
San Francisco church the sacristan will
haul coffin out from under one of the
affairs and show you CHASTITY naked
effigy of Jesus laid out for burial. The
cathedral of Ponta Delgada is one of the
most imposing editices in the archipelago
and its belfry is hung with remarkably
sweet chime. A quaint effect is added to
the exterior by a series of lion-bodied
gargoyles with human faces, grinning
from under the caves at passers by. On
the walls | noticed a printed Papal dis
pensation to the effect that 40 DAYS indul-
gence would be granted to anybody who
should contribute, in however small de-
gree, to repairs on the roof. Tawdry red
curtains are Topped away from the front
of the affairs and a wilderness of ropes
bangles before them, the stage carpenter S
arrangements for the semi theatrical
tiestas that so frequently take place The
theatrical aspect of the house is heighten-
ed by the many little boxes opening from
| the galleries, which are occupied on spec
ial occasions by parties of the elite.
| There are no seats on the damp stone
floor, but small space in the center of
the auditorium is tloored with wood and
surrounded with low railing Here the
women kneel during the services, thei1
gay shawls, white turbans and blue
capotes making a spot like brilliant
flower bed in the dim old church: while
the men and boys congregate in the real
and on all sides; and we noticed that, as in
other Catholic countries, the male popu-
lation pays comparatively little attention
| to its PRAYERS no doubt eXDectinp to oct