Page:Guatimala or the United Provinces of Central America in 1827-8.pdf/93

Rh wax candles in massy silver candlesticks On each of these the body, extended upon a splendid bier and clothed in the richest robes was placed. The procession formed around it, a mass was sung, and holy water thrown upon the body by one of the doctors, after which the whole moved on to the next resting place, where the same formalities were observed. On its arrival at the cathedral the body was placed in the middle aisle, the members of the procession ranged themselves on either side, with their lighted tapers,—crowds of spectators knelt in front, and other crowds stood in silence behind, as with one consent every voice began to sing the solemn mass. This imposing ceremony lasted for some hours, after which the corpse was deposited in one of the vaults below the cathedral.

The lower orders generally bury in the “Santo Campo,” or consecrated ground behind the cathedral, where many simple memorials to the dead have been erected. After the funeral an “almoneda,” something like an auction, takes place of the goods of the deceased. The various articles of furniture are arranged in the room, and ticketed with a small paper, on which is written the lowest number of dollars for which the article can be disposed of. An Indian is then placed at the window near the street proclaiming with a loud voice the almoneda within. The public then