| Citation |
NHG-P.762.048
10 Sep 1762:11,12,13 (310)
Having in our last paper given some general account of the
Kingdom of Spain, the manner of the Spaniards commemoration
of Good Friday, and the Procession of the Holy Sacrament, we
proceed--
They have sail cloth extended across the streets, from the
tops of the houses on one side to those on the other,
through all those parts where they are to go in procession.
This is a necessary precaution against the extreme heat of
the sun.
The procession being over, in the afternoon they go to the
play; the subject of which is always religious; and they are
acted in the streets, squares, or the courts belonging to
the house of some president of a council: and these plays
are called Actas sacramentales, and are exhibited by day
light every afternoon, at the expence of the city, for a
space of a month.
. . . [50 lines, 71 lines, 54 lines]
And there is one odd custom still prevails, which was
introduced by the Moors, and that is, the ladies sitting
cross legged on carpets, while the master of the family sits
in a chair, and dines at a table. The men drink very little
wine in Spain and the ladies usually confine themselves to
water, or chocolate. After dinner the Spaniards always
sleep; the evening is the time for diversion, when they
seldom fail to take the fresh air; and lovers often serenade
their mistresses with vocal and instrumental music great
part of the night.
. . . [4 more lines]
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