The chief procession
started with the lighting of the bonfires: Singing softly, choristers and
acolytes in robes preceded the devout Cure, and pious believers and
youths on horseback, with ribbons flying, carried banners and shrines.
Marshals kept the lines steady, and four were in constant attendance on a
gorgeous carriage, all gilt and carving (the heirloom of the parish), in
which reclined the figure of a handsome lad, impersonating John the
Baptist, with long golden hair, dressed in rich robes and skins--a
sceptre in his hand, a snowy lamb at his feet. The rude symbolism was
softened and toned to an almost poetical refinement, and gave to the
harmless revels a touch of Arcady.
After this semi-religious procession, evening brought the march of
Garotte's Kalathumpians. They were carried on three long drays, each
drawn by four horses, half of them white, half black. They were an
outlandish crew of comedians, dressed after no pattern, save the
absurd-clowns, satyrs, kings, soldiers, imps, barbarians. Many had
hideous false-faces, and a few horribly tall skeletons had heads of
pumpkins containing lighted candles.
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