| Citation |
BEP(F.775.001
2 Jan 1775:13 (2049)
The following extract of a letter from Quebec, dated Nov.
15th, giving an account of the christening the great bell
there, will serve to convey some idea of the ceremonial
nature of that religion which is now established there by an
Act of the British Parliament.
A new bell arrived with Governor Carlton, for the
Cathedral, which was hung up in the Broad Alley, opposite
the altar, but near the great door at the entrance.----Pete
Montgolsia came down from Montreal to stand Godfather, and
Mademoiselle Delary stood Godmother, the coadjutor, or
deputy-bishop performed the ceremony of christening, and
very awkwardly indeed; however after saying mass and playing
several tricks with the candles, the young lads holding up
the tail of the gown, putting on and pulling off the cap,
holding it, &c. he was introduced to the bell, which was at
a small distance from him, preceded by two priests who
brought the eau benite (holy water) and two small brooms
made of twigs, who fell to washing the bell like mad,
outside and in, then to wiping it with two very fine white
napkins, which were made black enough before they had done
cleaning of it from the impurity of heretical hands; after
this it was well smoak'd with incense, then followed the
ceremony of the oil, salt, &c. as to infants, only they
mark'd or cross'd it in three different places, and went
three times round it a piece of fine new linen, which they
called a shirt, then over it a piece of crimson damask, by
way of waistcoat, and after this a piece of light blue
damask, to serve as a coat.----After its being thus dressed
and a few more capers, it was then undress'd, and by a great
number of people conveyed under the belfrey and hung up, in
doing which one man was killed by a fall from the top, who
was pronounced to have gone immediately to heaven, without
stopping at purgatory, as he was serving the Lord."----
The above mentioned bell, which was a present from the
Bishop of Quebec, weighed 2500 lb. and was baptized by the
name of Louisa.
|