Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-10-12
IN OLD SEVILLE.
Customs and Sights Observed by
Traveller in Quaint Spanish City.

The famous cathedral Of Seville. in
Spain. is the scene In December of the
performance OF an oil quaint custom.
consisting of the dancing by boys before
the altar in honor of the Virgin Mary.
As the eighth of December approaches
there are many signs Throughout the city
of an approaching festival. on the ia
cades of such public buildings as the
City Hall. the Court House and the arch
bishops residence. brilliant coiored vel
vet bands are hung. and on private houses
and shops less costly materials, generally
in blue aud white. the coiors Of the Viz
gin are displayed Prom some houses OF
poor people hang plain white eoyericts.
At shutdown on the eve of the festival
the bells of the Giralda ring merry
peal. and when IL becomes dark tbs Erhoie
CITY is illuminated At o'clock the pe1t
afternoon vospers are held. They con-
tinuc for nearly tSo hours Then follows
the special ceremony. The principal
clergy leave the choir in whicn they nave
been seated. and take their places in
front OF the high altar, which is rsSplena
cnt with massive silver candlesticks and
other silver ornaments. In the centre Is
tho image Of the Virgin. crowned At one
side of the altar, within tn" folds oil
crimson curtain that is drawn aside, an
orchestra of stringcd instruments and a
company of male singers take their
places.
Ten boys enter aud stand in rows OK
FIVE directly tn front of tile altar They
are between seven aud II years of age
Their coats or jackets are of sky-blue
silk. embroidered with gold or silver
thread the breeches are of white satin.
and they wear white silk stockings. Their
low three-cornered hats are covered with
white plumes, These boys are supported
by a foundation which not only provides
their maintenance and instruction while
they continue devoted to this office. but
after certain period allows those who
have maintained a good character to
study AT the expense of the foundation
for any career they may choose.
After the orchestra and choir of men
have concluded the opening music the
boys sing, accompanied Icy the vio'ins'
and then go through the figures OF a
dance. There are two sets OF four dances
each, and IL fifth little boy winds has
way through the cntanglcments OF eacn
set in a very fascinating manner Then
comes another figure, III which The boys
accompany themselves with castanets IN
a very lively style. Then the entire dance
is repeated and the service concludes WITH
a hymn sung by the mems Choir Tho
steps of this churehly dance trace the
letters OF the words Ave Maria,
1t is difficult to trace the origin of this
singular custom OF dancing i'll CHURCH
The current story is that it pcrpetuates
the idea of David dancing before the ark
of the Lord. There is another tradition
with reference to the custom, which runs;
Complaint once was made to the Pope
that this service was unsuitable for
church, and he was disposed TO stop It,
but on the remonstrance of tie cathedral
chapter he postponed his decision uftiI he
could better understand the ceremony.
Accordingly, the boys were taken to
Rome, and they performed their religious
office in one of the basilicas Of the papat
city Its simplicity and dignity SO inn
pressed the ecclesiastical authorities that
permission was given to continue the
dance until the beautiful dresses of the
boys were worn out. They are not yet
worn out. but whether they are safely
stored away in one Of the sacristies, or
whether the threadbare portions are re-
stored now and then with fresh pieces OF
silk, so the garments are ever old and
never decayed, is more than any one can
find out.
There are two other seasons OF the year
when this strange pageant may be seen.
in the last three days of the carnival. just
before Lent. and at the festival of Corpus
Christi, which usually occurs early in
June At the Advent period in Decem-
Der. the dance is repeated daily for a
week.-N. Y. Press.
! The sun exerts. about two.thlrIs as .