A CONTRAST.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 20, 5 September 1884, Page 22

A CONTRAST.

Miserable Presets and sous-prefets in Italy and France have shorn the feast of Corpus Christi of its out-door splendours, and even in Brussels fear of King Mob has forced the processions to confine themselves to the interior of the churches. In pleasant contrast, were the beautiful processions that have been going on in many a Park in Protestant England. The writer -was present the other day at one in a lovely country, beneath the magnificent ancestral trees of an ancient domain. The day was exquisite, the sun was hot, but by 6 p.m. without losing any of its brilliancy it had grown less powerful and was casting lengthening shadows across the many coloured and unmown grass. Purposely but short notice had been given, and being a working day, though the faithful mustered almost to a man. hardly any of the profanuvi vuljus were there. Issuing from the large private chapel adjoining tiie hall the various guilds and the women of the congregation with cross and banners led the way bsfore the Blessed Sacrament, which was borne under a rich canopy surrounded by torch bsarers and preceded by a group of tburifers and flower scatterers: Then came the noble lord and lady of the estate followed by the tenants and retainers, and after them the Guild Baud and Church Choir, which at intervals broke out into loud music and song, the recitation of the Rosary coming in between. The lengthy procession penetrated into the leafy darkness of a noble grove, till it reached a Beposoir, the handiwork of the Congregation, placed beneath spreading trees surrounded and roofod with curtains and crowded with flowers and light, and waving ferns. There Benediction was given, and returning ou their way the second lieposoir was reached facing the Castle and upon the lawn in front of it. A large tree served as a Beredos, and rich plate and hothouse flowers arranged by dainty hands showed the special devotion of the great House to Our Sacramental Lord. The procession on returning to the chapel found the high Altar, itself a marvel' of richness and precious material, made glorious by a galaxy of light and bright flowers. Correspondent Bombay Catholic Examiner.