The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-15

The Fnded GIorIes of old Cordova.
C0RDovA. spain. March 10.-When this
letter reaches Washington we shall be in
the very thick Of Holy Week, which is
celebrated nowhere on the globe as ID
spsin. with ceremonies indescfihaoly state
lv ard magnificent, yet fantastic as the
Passion Plays Of Obersmmergau. Year by
wear as the country grows poorer, these
ceremonisls increase in splendor, while re-
tanning all the quaintness Of the Miracle
PLAYS Of the Middle Ages, attracting
thousands OF visitors from all parts oi En-
rome. Particularly, in Seville is Rome IL
self outdone in the pomp and magnihcence
90 the great annual celebration; and as
maj gavest rs we'll as most religious city
Of Spain is only three hours railway roe
from Cor,iova. we shall doubtless JOIN me
crowd OF pilgrims TO witness the snow
In every town and city Of Spain q ea'
preparations are made in advance LOT holy
Week and all the people Of the rural as
4rirts flock 10 the nearest centres OF
poulation-whole families together camp
Ing in the streets and making picnic oil
81 II they have not friends to visit or mon
~ to patrouize the inns. All the streets
are swept and garnished, houses newly
whitewashed and draped in black, and eh-
cry smallest detail Of the awful tragedy
Of twenty centuries ago is set forth so re-
Hlistically as to make deep impression
on the most ireverent beholder. In many
places the full Passion Play is enacted
out of doors day after day, by the people
including the pursuit and capture Of Jesus.
bv men mounted on donkeys, impefsona'ing
Roman soldiers: His imprisonment, tral,
condemnation. and crucifXion; and after
ward the hanging or burning OF Judas-the
princial characters represented by VIII
ing citizens. eked out by efhgies in the
death scenes.
The church, however takes little active
part in these out-of-doOr performances,
until the great climax Of Corpus Christi,
with its solemn 'pasos," intended 10 typi-
" the nlournful throDg that once passed
The Via Dolorosa on its way TO Calvary.
Every church in Spain has its Cofradis. or
religious brotherhood appointed as body
guards to the Patron Saint, whose life
sized wooden statue stands above the. high
altar. II is also the duty Of the Cofrsdia
20 superinteDd the pasos, and to see that
no hitch" occurs in the performance. Ev-
cry church has its collection Of images,
besides he Saviours. Virgins. and Saints in
their respective inches. which are lept
slowed away for these occasions. Some
OF them are OF great antiquity ana pro-
foundly venerated for the miraculous cures
they are believed TO have wrought. and all
are brought forth. decked in their richest
robes. for Corpus Christi Beforehand,
workmen have put up awnings over the
ttreets and squares along which the pro-
eessions win pass, chairs for spectators
are set thickly all along the way. and ev-
cry overlooking window and balcony is
decorated with gsrlsnds Of flowers and I'LL
ed with ladies'
Many Of the balconies are gaily draped
with crimson velvet, or spangled tulle,
like opera boxes. and everybody is provid-
ca with flowers 10 cast before the sacred
images As there are upwards OF hun
dred churches in Seville, and each has its
especial paso. all meeting at last in the
cathedral professions are constant from
dawn until far into the night. The sd-
Vance guard of each pssO is always the
fszarines as they are cslled-the CORA
ola OF the chu.ch. wearing dominos. ter
minating In a high-pointed cap. and rope
ropes girdles. Their robes are scarlet,
purple. black. and white. with Ions trains,
crimped and berufied which they manage
with the gracefulness one might expect,
and each carries a lighted candle nearly a
yard long
Next come companies of Roman soldiers
horse and foot whose shining armor tai
though made OF discarded kerosine cans
and waving plumes add much to the bril-
liancy Of the pageant Then come the
images upon a blackpalled platform.
borne upon the shoulders Of men and
surrounded by priests and eccesiastical Or
ders The ornaments Of the images are OF
the richest and most expensive description
crowns OF solid gold rings upon every
wooden finger necklaces and bracelets OF
diamonds and rubies. ieweled brooches
wherever q pin can be stuck; the Shout
ders OF each covered with d velvet CLOAK
giitterinK with gems aud s,in with gold
embroidery, worth itself a princely for
tune In the midst OF this bejeweled com
paBy OF saints stands the forlorn figure Of
Dur Saviour. falling under the weight OF IN,
cross It's suffering face streaked witt
blood doubly painful by contrast with th'
taudv trappings OF the others. Immediate
" IN front Of the platform walk bevy o
ltttle girls. supposed to be costumed a.
angels. 10 very short dresses Of spsngle,
tuile. scattering flowers in the roadway.
band or two Of music accompanies eaci
procession and the rear is brought up b.
& mighty following OF the populace. Al
along the line OF march soldiers are poste,
IN double rows, 10 preserve order; and III
stirring music OF military bands. the blaz
aphernalis and intense enthusiasm OF n
people. combine TO render the scene on
never 70 be forgotten Ludicrous thougl
some OF its features may be. it is q specta
Gle to be witnessed with awe and rever
Ence. on account OF the deep religious fer
Yer OF the multitude-thoussnds falling up
m their knees at the approach Of the pro
ression. prayers upon their lips and tear
streaming from their eyes
As The platform. laden with images
yerv heavy. il is Impossible 10 carry
more than a block or two without stoppin
10 rest During each halt the chorister
chant a hymn. and when IL Is conclude
the bearers raise the platform again
heir shoulders-the saints humping head
aud jostling one another as they are ele
waited. and the procession resumes H
weary march.
scenes in the Cathedral
Arrived. at last at the cathedral III
paso adores the host, which is deposite
IN splendid silver monstrance. standlu
IN the monument" The latter is a Ia
wooden temple made in sections, painte
white and giIded II is l20 feet high. b
fftv feet square al the base. adorned Wit
gigantic statues Of the patriarchs an
apostles. and Illuminated by 200 silye
lamps and 600 waNen tapers. MOI
singular than all the rest is n
Facred ballet. that is danced by choristel
twice every year at the cathedral. in &c
ebraiion % Corpus Christi and n
Immaculate Conception A group Of beaJ