The San Francisco call., 1906-10-21

Crissea The procession started at 10
in the morning. that is to say, toward
the fourth hour of the day according
TO the Roman division of time. The
Proconsul Lentulus led the way, mount
ed in chariot and wearing the garb
of Triumphant general; then, behind
him, came a troop OF youths Of Il or
I5+ years old, all sons of knights, riding
magnificent horses adorned with scar
let and gold saddle cloths
Behind these came the competitors
for the prize of the day. Lucfus at the
head of them, as the winner OF the
previous day, clothed in a green tunic,
mounted in chariot OF ivory and gold.
and driving with purple reins a mag
nificent team Of four white horses.
Upon his head. where one looked in
vain for the wrestling crown. glittered
dazzling circle like that with which
painters surround the face OF the sun I;
and. by way of further addition to his
resemblance to that deity. his beard
was sprinkled with gold dust. Behind
him came a young Greek from Thes-
sally, proud and handsome as Achilles,
clothed in a yellow tunic. and driving
bronze chariot drawn by four black
steeds. The last two consisted of an
Atherfian who claimed descent from Al
cibiades, and a Syrian with a sun
tanned face The first of these two
dark and perfumed locks float in the
wind: the second was clad in a sort
of white robe tied close to the figure
by Persian girdle band. like the sons
OF Ishmael; his head was surrounded
by white turban as sparkling as the
snow that shines on the summit Of
Sinai.
Toward midday the. procession
reached the entrance to the hippo
drome. This was an immense building
1000 feet in length and 500 broad. In
the middle was a wall six feet high
which extended the entire length of
the building. with the exception OF
passage wide enough for four chariots
at each end: this wall was surfnounted
by altars. shrines, and empty pedes-
tails awaiting the statues OF the gods
which would occupy them for this sol
emn occasion only. One end of the
riers or starting places, the other by
the spectators benches. At each end
Of the wall were the triangular turn.
ing posts, which had TO be doubled
seven times TO make UP the length of
the course agreed upon.
The drivers had, as we have seen,
assumed the colors off the various
parties which divided Rome at this
time; and. as large amounts had been
Wagered beforehand, those who had
made bets had adopted the colors of
such Of the charioteers as had, by their
smart appearance, the pedigree OF their
horses or their previous victories, in
spired them respectively with most con-
fdence. Nearly all the benches in the
hippodrome then were thronged with
spectators. who added to the enthu-
siasm generally inspired by the chariot
races the personal interest which they
took in those whom they were back
ing The ladies themselves had their
different favorites, as could be seen by
their girdles and wells corresponding to
the colors worn by the four competi-
tors. Accordingly. when the procession
was heard approaching, q strange
movement that seemed to thrill 1t like
an electric shock surEed through all
this human expanse, and all the heads
waved like surging billows OF the sea.
When the doors were opened the small
space that still remained unoccupied
was overwhelmed by torrents Of fresh
spectators, who beat like food
against the walls OF the gigantic stone
building. Scarcely a fourth part of
the sightseers who accompanied the
procession were able to enter and thrust
back by the ProconsuTs guard, might
be seen looking for all the highest
points which allowed them TO overlook
the hippodrome; clingihg to tho boughs
OF trees, hanging over the battIements