The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1891-08-29 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

THE BLOOD TAX IN THE PYRENEES. The independent des Basses-Pyreniea publishes a very interesting description, written by M. Alfred Cadier, a French Protestant clergyman at Pau, of a ceremoniall which he witnessed on the frontier of France and Spain. This consisted in the payment of a blood tax, and it appears that there are two or three places in the Pyrenees where the custom, Sounded upon the belief that "a murder committed by the inhabitants of a village or canton upon, those of an adjoining village or canton must for ewer remain a burden upon the descendants of their descendants," is still observed. Thus, in the 13th century, if not earlier, a massacre of the inhabitants was committed between the valleys of Baretons, in French Navarre, and Honest, in Spanish Navarre. The blood tax which the inhabitants of the former were ordered by the Pope to discharge is paid to this day, the ceremony taking place annually on July 13th in the mountains, about seven hours' march from Osse, at the pass known as La Peyre St. Martin. It is thus described by M. Cattier: There is a crowd of people to be seen Making their way to the rendezvous. The shepherds of the Baretons Valley, with their red waistcoats, interspersed with dark threads, the mayors and delegates of the villages of Arette, Laune, and laser, the foresters of the mountain, the customhouse officers without their guns, the clergy, repro). sented byahe priest of St. Engrace and two curates, and a few English tourists from One, helped to make up this singular assembly. When we reached the narrow stone which marks off the frontier, we found ourselves face to face with the Spaniards, .who formed, an imposing group. First of all there was the Alcalde (Mayor) of lsaba, who was to act the part of Lord Chief Justice. He was wearing a black robe bordered with red, and a large oollarette by way of bands, while he carried in his hand the wand of justice, in the shape of a lilac)! stick with a silver knob. The alcaldes of three co four other Spanish villages were similarly attired, and they were accompanied by a numerous suite and escort. It was about 9 a.m. when the interesting ceremonial commenced, by the Freest' mayors donning their tricolour scarf, and by the Spanish alcaldes advancing towards the frontier stone accompanied by a herald bearing a lance on which was painted a red flame, the symbol of justice. The two parties having halted at a distance of about 201 t. from their respective frontiers, the herald substitutes for his red flame a white one, which is the symbol of pacific intentions,and the Alcalde of baba exclaims in Spanish, "Do you wish for peace P" To this the French mayors reply in the affirmative, also .speaktag in Spanish, and, in order to testify to the siaclarity of their intentions, their herald lays down his lance upon the top of the stone in the direction of the frontier,whereupon the Spanish herald comes and inserts his lance into the French soil, resting the shaft against the stone so as to icon a cross with the French lance. The Mayor of Arette then opines and lays his hand upon the cross so formed, a Spanish alealde places his right hand upon that of the Frenchman,and the other mayors and alcaldes do the same alternately. Then' last of gil, the Alealde of Isaba steps forward, and, lifting his wand of justice over the pile of hands, pronounces the ferm of oath, which all swear to keep. After this oath has been taken' the Alealde of laaba exclaims three times "Paz daraus" (peace in the future). Peace is thus anew concluded, and to ratify their having given up all idea of vengeance the men of Roncal order the escort to discharge their gins in the direction of France. Then comes the reception of the.blood tax, which used to consist of three perfectly white mares, but, owing to the difficulty of getting them exactly alike, three white heifers have now been substituted for them. After the Honest notary had drawn up a precis-verbal, which was signed by all round, a repast was served at the expense of the Spaniards, toasts being proposed in honour of Spain. France, and England, the introduction of England being due to the presence of several British visitors. After the repast was over dancing followed, and we then said goothyo I'll next year.