The history of Romanism: from the earliest corruptions of Christianity to the present time : with full chronological table, analytical and alphabetical indexes and glossaryIllustrated by numerous accurate and highly finished engravings of its ceremonies, superstitions, persecutions, and historical incidents . borne through the streets either on the festivalof Corpus Christi, or on any other occasion. In Spain, when apriest carries the consecrated wafer to a dying man, a person witha small bell accompanies him. At the sound of the bell, all whohear it are obliged to fall on their knees, and to
The history of Romanism: from the earliest corruptions of Christianity to the present time : with full chronological table, analytical and alphabetical indexes and glossaryIllustrated by numerous accurate and highly finished engravings of its ceremonies, superstitions, persecutions, and historical incidents . borne through the streets either on the festivalof Corpus Christi, or on any other occasion. In Spain, when apriest carries the consecrated wafer to a dying man, a person witha small bell accompanies him. At the sound of the bell, all whohear it are obliged to fall on their knees, and to remain in that pos-ture till they hear it no longer. Its sound operates like magic on the Spaniards. In the midst ofa gay, noisy party, the word, Sa MajestaoV (his Majesty, the termthey apply to the host) will bring every one upon his knees until thetinkling dies in the distance. Are you at dinner ? you must leavethe table ; in bed ? you must, at least, sit up. But the most prepos-terous effect of this custom is to be seen at the theatres. On theapproach of the host to any military guard, the drum beats, themen are drawn out, and, as soon as the priest can be seen, theybend the right knee and invert the firelocks, placing the point of the * Diestemus, Commen. ad annum 1496—quoted by Bower vi., Procession of Corpus Christi, at Rome—Colosseum in Liic foregrouut chap, x.] POPERY THE WORLDS DESPOT—A. D. 1073-1303. 341 Violence to a stranger in Rome for not bowing the knee to the idol. bayonet on the ground. As an officers guard is always stationedat the door of a Spanish theatre, I have often laughed in my sleeveat the effect of the chamade both upon the actors and the , Dios, (A God, A God,) resounds from all parts of the house,and every one falls that moment upon his knees. The actors rant-ing, or the rattling of the castanets in the fandango, is hushed for afew minutes, till the sound of the bell growing fainter and fainter,the amusement is resumed, and t
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Keywords: ., booka, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubjectcatholicchurch
