under arms, who closed the procession.
A great multitude of people, men, women, and children, of various hues
and ages (but mostly coloured females), thronged after in a deep train,
pressing close upon the soldiers, and quite filling the streets.
The altar was enriched with profuse decorations of silks, ribands,
flowers, silver vessels, trinkets, and burning tapers. It was also
decked out with flags, and other species of drapery, and covered with a
magnificent awning. The streets had likewise assumed the gay costume of
the procession, being enlivened at various parts with ensigns,
streamers, and many-coloured ornaments; and the appearance of cool and
verdant avenues was ingeniously conveyed, by dressing the fronts of the
houses with green boughs.
The part of the procession which preceded the canopy, passed under the
awning, and advanced beyond it; but when the hallowed equipage reached
the spot where the altar was raised, a sudden pause ensued, the band
ceased to play, and a few words were shouted aloud by the old negro,
which the priests echoed, in soul-inspiring sounds, from the steps of
the altar.
Presently was heard a tinkling of the little silver bell. This acted
like enchantment. Instantly a dead silence prevailed; and all the
persons forming the procession, together with the multitudes who
followed it, fell on their knees, upon the bare street. A solemn
stillness continued, until the sound of the bell was renewed; when the
crowd as suddenly rose from the ground; the boys, bearing the censers,
cast them out, to the extremities of their chains, before the altar,
perfuming the air with incense; flowers were strewed around; the band
again played, and the procession advanced.
As soon as the whole of the train had passed, the altar was disrobed of
its ornaments, the houses were deprived of theirs, and the undressed
street resumed its every-day appearance.
But, notwithstanding this seeming conclusion of the scene, the parade
was continued daily through the different parts of the town, until the
end of the week. On the 22d, which was the close of the fête, the
procession again appeared in our street, moving much in the same order
as before: but the attendant crowd, particularly the female part of it,
was even greater than on the preceding occasion; nor do I remember ever
to have observed such hosts of women assembled. Not only was the street
closely thronged from side to side, but spectators were likewise
collected in every by-lane and avenue, and all the windows were filled
with multitudes, pressing forward to catch a farewell view.
Taking a walk in the evening, I met with several new and decorative
marks of the fête. In one of the streets was erected, with great taste
and ingenuity, a green arbour or alcove, very beautifully formed of
coco-nut leaves; with various plants and fruits of the climate. The
arrangement was rich and elegant, offering a sumptuous and inviting
repast, in a delightfully refreshing shade, while it formed one of the
greatest ornaments of the festival. Two banana-trees were fixed at the
entrance, and appeared as if they were actually growing upon the spot:
every part was green, and all the plants were arranged as if they were
then vegetating from the earth, each loaded with its appropriate fruit.
It seemed as if a choice assemblage of the most delicious productions of
the country had been formed into a sweet and cool bower, wherein the
superiors engaged in the ceremony might retire from the meridian rays,
to take rest and regale themselves: but, upon inquiry, we learned that
this grateful assortment was not intended for such gross and carnal
purposes—it was designed for more holy uses. It was not to gratify the
flesh, nor to pamper the senses: but was collected together, and placed
in this seductive manner, in the way of the procession, in order that
the fruits might be sanctified by a passing benediction; and rendered
doubly sacred in consequence of the ceremony being performed under the
omniscient eye of the canopy. Multitudes of persons had contributed
towards this hallowed collection, and, after the holy sprinkling had
shed its solemn influence upon them, the blessed fruits were removed by
their respective owners, and taken home as an inestimable treasure.
How long shall the sanctity of religion be masked with such idle pomp?
How long shall such vain parade mock the simplicity of a pure and
Christian devotion?