at present in the Sixtine chapel; in which the yellow
colour of the candles and torches, the nakedness of the Pope's throne
and of the seats of the church denote the desolation of the church at
the sufferings and death of her divine founder. The Cardinals do not
wear their rings; their dress is of purple, which is their mourning
colour; in like manner the Bishops do not wear rings and their
stockings are black: those of the Cardinals are purple; and the
maces as well as the soldiers' arms are reversed. The Card. great
Penitentiary with the sacred ministers are habited in black. There is
no thurifer and there are no lights; for the death of the Son of God
is going to be commemorated; and while He was hanging upon the cross
and when He died, there was darkness over the whole earth. The Pope
is habited in a red cope: he does not wear his ring nor give his
blessing: but if he be present at this part of the service, His
Holiness kneeling with the Card. Penitentiary at his left hand offers
up prayers for a short time before the altar. This, which was stripped
on the preceding day, is now covered with a linen cloth by two
_Cerimonieri_[83]. The Pope then goes to His seat; and the Card.
Celebrant accompanied by the ministers to the altar, and thence to
his _faldistorio_ or seat. An appropriate passage from the prophecy
of Osee is sung by one of the choir, and the precept from Exodus
concerning the killing of the paschal-lamb, a type of Christ, by
the subdeacon. The Pope and the Card. Celebrant also read both these
lessons, after each of which a tract is sung by the choir; and between
them a prayer by the Celebrant. After the prophecies, which are a
powerful confirmation of the truth of our holy religion, the account
of the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, penned by an eye-witness
S. John, the disciple of love, is recited[84]. It is read in a low
voice by the Card. Celebrant and sung with the same impressive chant
as on Palm-Sunday by three cantors wearing the alb, a black maniple
and stole: they used formerly to recite it bare-footed. At those words
"And bowing down his head he gave up the ghost" all kneel to adore
their Redeemer. It is related of a servant of God of the name of
Piccolomini, that he expired in church on good Friday when those
words were sung. The latter part is chanted, but without the usual
ceremonies, by the deacon, after he has taken off his folded chasuble
and put on the large band or stole. A short se