It was not church music which the band at the head of the procession played, but lively airs from the operas. A line of soldiers formed in front of the spectators that filled the street, to keep them back; and the procession soon came in sight. To say that the boys were amused would be to express it mildly as the leading feature of the show came into view. It seemed to be a grand masquerade, or a tremendous burlesque. First came a number of persons dressed in long robes of white, black, or violet, gathered up at the waist by a leather belt. On their heads they wore enormous fools’ caps, in the shape of so many sugar-loaves, but at least four feet high.
“You mustn’t laugh so as to be observed,” said the doctor to the first lieutenant. “These are the penitents.”
“They ought to be penitent for coming out in such a rig,” laughed Murray.
A pointed piece of cloth fell from the tall cap of the penitents over the face and down upon the breast, with round holes for the eyes. Some carried torches, and others banners with the arms of some religious order worked on them. These people were a considerable feature of the procession, and they were to be seen through the whole length of it.
After them came some men dressed as Roman soldiers, with helmet, cuirass, and yellow tunic, representing the soldiers that took part in the crucifixion. They were followed by a kind of car, which seemed to float along without the help of any bearers; but it was carried by men under it whose forms were concealed by the surrounding drapery that fell to the ground, forming a very effective piece of stage machinery. The car was richly ornamented with gold and velvet, and bore on its top rail several elegant and fancifully shaped lanterns in which candles were burning.
On the car was a variety of subjects represented by a dozen figures, carved in wood and painted to the life. Above all the others rose Christ and the two thieves on the crosses. The Virgin Mary was the most noticeable figure. She was dressed in an elegant velvet robe, embroidered with gold, with a lace handkerchief in her hand. A velvet mantle reached from her shoulders over the rail of the car to the ground. Her train was in charge of an angel, who managed it according to her own taste and fancy. On the car were other angels, who seemed to be more ornamental than useful.
The rest of the procession was made up of similar materials,—holy men, women and children, crosses, images of saints, such as have often been seen and described. During the rest of the week, the students visited the cathedral, where they saw the blackened remains of King Ferdinand, and other relics that are exhibited at this time, as well as several other of the churches. Easter Sunday came, and the general joy was as extravagantly manifested as though the resurrection were an event of that day. Early in the afternoon crowds of gayly dressed people of all classes and ranks began to crowd towards the bull-ring. All over the city were posted placards announcing this Gran Funcion, with overdrawn pictures of the scenes expected to transpire in the arena. We have one of these bills before us as we write.
“As we are to take part in the Funcion, we will go to the plaza” said the doctor, as he and his friends left the cathedral.
“Take part!” exclaimed Murray. “I have no idea of fighting a bull. I would rather be on board of the ship.”
“Perhaps I should have said ‘assist in the Funcion,’ which is the usual way of expressing it in Spain.”