New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-24

remain in that position until the last OF the
pageant has gone by.
ON Good Friday. in accordance with plouS
tradition the Minister Of Justice submits for
the Kings signature thS free fun pardons or
three prisoners living under sentence or death.
This ancient custom. which has been IN use IN
Spain since the fifteenth century, dates back 10
Mosaic times The Hebrews were in the haOlt
Of releasing "a prisoner at the Passover IN re-
menbrance of their delivery from Egypt, the
popular choice at the time OF the crucihxlon
lying between Christ and Barabbas Thelr
Most Catholic MajeStieS,' for that Is the cor
rect title OF the rulers of Spain. adopted SIM
liar custom for the celebration OF Good Friday.
Ohtl the Ie4Su OF 4s0oellel - oi'iS 80 l
RENTED. Several papers. however, We're
prepared and folded. each one containing the
name OF condemned prisoner. These were
placed prom!scuOusly in large silver salver,
and that criminal was reprieved on whose paper
the royal hand rested. the others obtaining no
benefit. The anxiety OF all those whose names
were given in for this purpose and the bitter
disappointment OF the unsuccessful may be bet
ter imagined than described. Soon after Isabella
III came to the throne Good Friday came round.
The court was assembled In the palace chapel
The time for the alteration OF the cross had
come. The young Queen knelt before the cruci-
fix, the salver with three papers was presented
and all watched for her majesty to touch
and TO repeat the traditional words MAY God
pardon mo as pardon thee" But with tears
I'm her eyes and a heart full Of pity, regardless
Of tradition. she stretched forth both her hands.
brought all three papers together, and In
yasl Dios me perdoneI' ('NIay God pardon me
as pardon you allF'). Since that time tina SOW
ereign has invariably been accustomed 90 COM
mute the penalty OF three criminals under SEN
tence OF death instead OF one.
IN England the custom OF washing the feet on
Holy, or Maundy. Thursday retained until
the close OF the reign OF King james IL, the last
Roman Catholic sovereign OF Great Britain
since that time the washing OF the feet has been
abandoned; but slXty-siN poor men and sixty
SIX poor women, their number corresponding 20
the number OF years OF the sovereign, win
semble in Westminster Abbey on Thursday 20
receive gifts OF money IN the name Of the mon
arch, and known as the Royal Mandy The men
get on an average sec and tho women $50, all In
brand new coins OF the realm, and contained IN
Old fashioned red and white kid purses. The men
occupy at the ceremony Of distribution the lower
row OF seats OF the choir. reaching from the
organ 20 the sacrariurn. The YeOnaen OF the
Guard aTor on duty during the service. ana the
alstripution takes place after the reading OF the
t1Fst Lesson, being performed by the Lord High
Almoner. assisted By the Sub-A.usonsr, Tie
Dean OK WeStmtnster. and several OF the canons
or the Chapter Of Westminster.
Ar the principal Protestant courts OF Europe
the old fashioned custom OF making Easter the
occasion for great civic, political and oeranao-
NAL amenities has fallen into dtsuse. and save
az the Court OF Berlin the day differs but lietlA
from ordinary sundays A. Bsaiiur horsyex