Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-04-10

A ROYAL ALMsGlV1NG AT WESTMINSTER. phon, commencing with the command of Christ to his disciples, " Mandatum no- yum da vobis," has been chantcd by the choir, tho distribution of the aims by tho lord high almoner takes place. The aims in question amount to about $26 for every man and S2l for every woman, in new sil- yer and gold money specially coined by the mint for the occasion, and are con tained in rcd and white kid purses, to which long tassels are attached. They arc borne on q huge gold salver by one of the sergeants of the ycolnen of tho guard, who is flanked on either side by comrades armed with halberds The lord high almoner himself is assisted by several gentlemen ushers of the queen, arrayed ill gorgeous gold embroidered court uniforms and with scarfs of linen tied across their shoulders, emblematical of the towels used in the days when the British sovcreigns used still to wash on this particular day the feet of 19 poor mon and 12 poor women.
 This custom of washing the feet Of the poor on Holy Thursday is still adhered to at the courts of Vienna, Madrid, Lisbon, Munich and the Vatican. 1t is Il very sol chm function, ant while it is in progress one of the prelates in attendance reads that portion of the gospel which describes 1 Christ as washing the feet of his apostles. At Vienna and Munich, Madrid and Lis i bon, the sovereign is attended on these oc- casions by the members of the reigning | family, by the great dignitaries of the realm, and by the entire court in full uni form. Princes and princesscs remove the shoes and stockings of tho old men and women, bishops and cardinals hold the gold cwer and basin respectively, while the
 
 in turn, and after having poured rosewa- ter over their feet dries them with gold fringcd napkin. Afterward the old people are entertained at banquet, at which they are waited upon by the sovereign and by the princes and princesses present, and ut it's close tho guests are sent to their homes in court carriages, each bearing handsome present in money.
 The pope, while washing the feet of 12 poor old men-which, by tho bye, he does i'll very conscientious and proper manner ! wears awhite linen apron over his white cassock. This apron is sent every year to the general of the Benedietine order, who causes it to bc cut up and to be used in ono of the churches of the order for cover ing the chalice. His holiness insists on himself serving the 12 aged paupers at the banquet which follows the ceremony, and each ono of them finds under his plate a hundred franc bank note.
 But the most solemn feature of the ob- seryation of Eastcrtidc at tho Natican-in my opinion, at any ratc--is when on the following night pnnctually at , Q car | dinal arrayed in his scarlet roles presents himself and strikes 12 blows on the door of the private chapel of tho pontiff. The latter thereupon arises from his knees be- l tI,a nIt Fob ,,,.~ golden cruciflx, approaches the window | which is thrown opon by the cardinal, and makes with q sweeping and majestic ges- l ture the sign of the cross over the slumber- ing city at his feet, exelaiming Et red didit Spiritum.
 This Thursday before Easter is likewise tho day on which Emperor William, with his nearest and dearest relatives, but with no attendants of any kind whatsoever, re- | ceives tho sacrament in the little chapel. which has been established in tho tedroom of old Emperor William. It is very plainly furnished and lighted by a small silver oil lamp, and after tho imperial chaplain has administered the holy bread and wine the iilnsuioas eoinraiinicants slefid half an hour in solemn rpedHatson before return ing to their apartmclta.
 | On Good Friday remarkable and unique ceremony takes place in the royal chapel at Madrid. During the course of divine service, just Ut the moment for tho adora- tion of the cross, tho chaplain approaches the kneeling sovereign with d gold salyer, on which arc full and free pardons for three prisoners lying under the sentence of death, and pronounees these words Mad am, does your majesty grant her pardon to these criminals lying under sentence of deaths'
 Tho queen thercupon touches the rapers lightly with her hand and repeats the tra- ditional words, 'sYo os perdonc yasi Dios me perdone May God pardon me. as I gardon then) Iix- DiPLoMATIsF.
 Loves Resurrection.
 Oh, chime of sweet St. Charity,
 Peal soon that Easter morn i ! fl,tfaf f,..t. ll.t,. f4ntn. I4x