to
represent a church, with a gallery in the form of an amphitheatre. In
the centre a square hole is broken, so that the water can be reached.
From the neighbouring church a procession of priests approaches with
pictures, and crosses, and flags, and tapers, and with loud chanting
enters the arbour. Here a service is performed, and as soon as it is
over they march forth again with very picturesque effect, and the cross
is dipped several times in the water. By this ceremony it is believed
the water is especially blessed, and made wholesome for man, beast,
bird, and fish. No sooner has it been performed than the multitude who
have been surrounding the spot rush eagerly forward with bottles, jugs,
pots, and pans, and fill their vessels, and also drink as much as they
can. Not only is the water itself blessed, but all the streams, and
wells, and fountains in the neighbourhood are equally benefited. It is
curious to see the way in which the people dabble in the water, throw it
over their persons, though it freezes as it falls, and drink of it till
they can drink no more; all this being done in the belief that the water
is holy, and that they will be especially benefited thereby. The
ceremony in summer is very similar, only the arbours are formed on the
banks of the river or lake, and people manage to drink still more
abundantly, with fewer ill effects. A still more interesting festival
is that of blessing the fruit, which takes place on the 6th of August.
It is held in the country, in front of one of the principal churches or
convents. People of all classes, rich and poor, high and low, assemble
from all quarters, far and near, in vehicles of every description. In
front of the church are long rows of fruit-sellers' booths to supply
those who have brought no fruit with them. High Mass is then performed
in the church, and as soon as it is concluded the priests come forth
with bowls of holy water, with which they march up and down among the
lines of people, drawn up in all directions, with fruits in their hands,
sprinkling the consecrated liquid on either side as they go. As soon as
this has been done, the people set to work and eat greedily of the
various fruits which have been sprinkled, which they have not before
ventured to touch, under the belief that till then they are unwholesome.
In the more northern districts the fruit is very often far from ripe,
but yet they eat away, under the belief that it can do them no