Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-05-13

London, May 9.-Jna OF the dalnt.es,
religious feslIyals the world over is
celebrated yearly in far-on Teneritfe,
ne principal lsIanu OF the Canaries,
SPANS rich holdings in The Atlantic,
OF the northwest coast of Africa.
The great fiesta Of Teneriffe is cele-
bTated in the ancient town of Villa
Orataya, an arisJOcratic and pictur-
esque place clinging to the slope of the
valley and in the shadow of the ia
nous Peak Of Teneriffe. Villa Ora
tava is the most important city on the
island, and its residents have more
local pride than might be expected in
a place so remotely situated.
Corpus Christi which happens this
year on June II, is the great feast of
these people, and it is chiefly cele-
brated by bearing the Sacred Host in
procession through the streets to and
from the quaint little church which
is attended by the population of the
whole city and of the surrounding
country for many miles. The unique
streets through which the procession
passes is literally carpeted with flow
ers from curb to curb the flowers
being arranged in beautiful designs
and with artistic regard to the blend
ing of color.
Weeks before the day of the feast
flowers of all kinds are industriously
collected by the residents of the differ
ent streets. Little children are sent
into the country to gather them, and
as Teneriffe is a veritable island Of
flowers a great basket can be filled
in short time. Huge wagons are
sent out, too, laden with merry flower
pickers, and returning again piled a
dozen feet high with blooms of every
imaginable color
There is much rivalry among the
residents of the different streets TO
make the prettiest showing on the
feast day, and every one, from the
tiniest child who is just able to dis
tinguish colors and one flower from
another to the old men and women,
JOluS Ill CIle IdDOr o. IONe.
While the gatherers are bringing in
the flowers the young and the old
sort them out in separate heaps, &C
cording to color. Then, when this is
accomplished, the petals of each bloom
are separated and heaped up into fra
grant piles.
Long before dawn the artistic work
ers of each street are oft on the day
of the feast. Previously the general
design has been decided upon, and rhe
same design runs the full length Of
the street Molds of wood and card
board are first placed in position, the
background, usually an effective dark
green, composed of chopped heather,
then being laid.
Willing hands next bring forward
the huge baskets Of petals, each bas-
ket holding those of but one color, and
then the chosen artists set to work to
| fill out the design. When all the col
oring has been filled in, the molds are
withdrawn, leaving the streets car
| peted in beautiful way. AS most of
the streets are quite steep, the effect
| is doubly pleasing when one stands
at the foot of long narrow avenue
and glances upward at the endless
stretch Of fragrant blossoms.
AS fast as one section of a design
is completed little girls walk carefully
about, sprinkling the flowers with
water, so that they will keep fresh and
fragrant until the procession comes
along.
The great families of the city, nota-
bly, the MonteVerdes, have the streets
on which their residences face car
peted in ornate designs, and it is
matter of social rivalry as to which
can produce the most beautiful eff
fects.
While the flowers are being laid out
the people from the country and the
residents of streets not honored by
the religious procession walk about ad-
miring the displays and helping with
the work whenever they lind a street
behindhand. The best of good nature
prevails everywhere, and in the many
years that the custom has prevailed
there is no case on record where any
vandal has ever run amuck among the
flower beds
In the neighborhood of the church
where the procession starts the streets
are ornamented with categorical and
religious devices. Standing out Wv
idly can be seen monStrOus cross, a
crown Of thorns, a golden chalice and
numerous other symbols Of the pas
sion.
The Ginning Of bells announces the
start of the procession, and soon the
entire pageant comes into view-white-
robed boys, priests in splendid vest
ments and long lines of chanting,
Brothers of the Lord"
Down over the beautiful carpets Of
flowers the procession moves, and each
football tears up some portion of a
dainty design. On the sidewalks
stand the men who worked so indus
.riously on hands and knees to create
he beautiful effects, but it never oc-
ours to them to bemoan the speedy
Of the fruit of their la
1ors. The women who helped gather
he flowers are also in the crowd, and
he red handkerchiefs wound about
heir heads give additional brilliancy
o the bewildering feast of color.
A woman was summoned by her
leighbor in Long Island City for be-