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1


| VIENNA, (AUsrRIA,) April 22, 1886
Extraordinary scenes in Austvla-Anciem Customs


aud Cersmonics-Passios Week in Vienna-Po-


iand-Segar Sn'oking-Nord mode of preventing


the sans<-Shooting at gentien'an fS smoking


in the streets, by one of the Guards, &c.


The Spring is always joyful and prolific sea-
son, and the present one at Vienna is most lavish
in its gifts. 1t has brought charming weather. the
richest green, and fragrant violets-the Italian
opera, and three new German ones, with pro-
mise of Jenny Lind prima donna, and thou
sands of flowers to wreath garlands for her brow.
1t has drawn out the silk stocking aristocracy
into the open air and made them more accessible
to plebeian eyes-it has given them an opportuni-
ty, in their afternoon drives TO show the number of
their veried servants whose business it is to ur,-
tie the latchets of their shoes, and blow the dust
from their tender feet. Poor troubled souls ! It
has also brought healing balsam, in the shape of
Holy Passion Week, preceding Easter-a week Of
rest, during which their ears, eyes, bodies, souls
and purses, have not been tormented by the i'm
portunities OF concert gvers and their music They
have had one week OF respite to gather new
fiarces collect new sums, and make new bouquets
and verses to greet the Northern Nightingale on
| her visit South.


But the cessation of life in one sphere, has been
only to give life to another; Passion Week is rich
in attractions and devoted to the cause of religion
Have you tickets to see the "foot washingr' inqu-
red number OF my Austrian friends " have
not" "Well, you must not miss the sight, by
any means; the Emperor feeds twelve poor old
men and washes their feet, while the Empress
performs the same office for twelve poor old wo-
men," This ceremony is performed on the day
preceding Good Friday, and is intended to repre-
sent the humility of their majestes, notwithstand-
ing their elevated positions;-t was sight not to
be neglected, and was accordingly present


On entering the coronation saloon Of the palace,
| l found brilliant assembly collected, composed
mostly Of the nobility and military officers, in
their uniforms; the ladies' of rank and civil officers
were seated in the galleries, occupying the sides
OF the saloon, while the centre was filled with the
military-the whole making gorgeous display
Here Hungarian nobleman, IN the peculiar and
dramatic uniform of his country; there knight Of
the order of Malta; here group of Austrian gene
rails, covered with orders; there party Of the lta-
ian noble guards; here company of Hungarian
hussars, all =. noblem!aen; and there a group Of
| knights OF the middle ages. These were the
spectators chosen by the Emperor to be eye-wit-
nesses to the fact that he follows the example of
humility given to men by the King of Kings. In
a few minutes twelve old and decrepid men,
dressed in dark garments of ancient style, enter
ed the spacious halls, accompanied by Il child or
friend, who assisted in bearing their trembling
limbs to the row of seats assigned to them:
Twelve old and feeble women also entered, and
were seated opposite. These had been selected
from the old, the maim and the nfirm OF the lanes
and alleys OF the metropolis, and great pride is
shown in selecting the most aged who are able to
bear the exertion.


For ten successive years patriarch of more
than a hundred winters lad 'ie band, but during
the last year he died at the age fone hundred and
twelve. The oldest, this year, ninety-five,
among the men, and their combined ages were
1889; the oldest among the women was ninety
SIX and their combined ages 1881. twas a rare
sight to see in one company twenty-four individ-
uals who possessed collectively the experience OF
more than two thousand years. The Emperor, on
entering, was accompanied by the Archdukes OF
the House, Chamberlains, Sc, and the Empress
by the Archduchesses and ladies of the Court.


After some familiar conversation with their aged
guests, a repast of the richest kind was brought
IN, and their imperial maesties turned waters,
performing the duties of their office with an abli-


y which might pre-suppose experience; they not
only fed the hungry, but also provided them with
ample stores for hungry mouths at home, by fill


ing large basket for each one, which rociircd
two men to carry it. 1t is principle adopted to
give the old folks every thing they at their
meal-consequentlya a handsome silver wine cup,
knife, fork, &c.-and these are preserved as me.
MORALS of great value. The repast being finished
the tables are removed, and the Empress, with
the ladies of the Court, IL in all, proceed to take
off the shoes and stockings of the old women
! when the Empress washes, dries, and kisses their
feet-The Emperor performing the same duty for
the men; after which, the imperial :" foot wash
ers," arranging the shoes and stockings of their
ancient guests, present them with thirty pieces o
silver each, and kindly take leave of them, express


ing the hope that their days may be heightened
to share the ceremonies of another ahniversa-


y. This religious observance is of great impor.


ance, and its object is to prove the people tha,
he who rules them IS ready, when occasion re-
lures, to wash their feet and feed them, as did
the Saviour Of men to those who loved and obeyed
him. And may be pardoned for observing that,
! however much religion it may contain, it has moi
neglected to spice the dish with diplomacy.


On the afternoon of Good Friday, all classes OF
the Vienna population flock into the Streets and
the latter fairly swarmed with human beings,
whose osensibe object is TO visitthe churches, in
all OF which is represented the Holy Grave at Je-
rusalem. Some Of these graves are reallyfbeauti-
full being so arranged to have figures as large
as life, OF the dead body of Christ in the sepuchre
guarded by angels, and the weeping women ai
the entrance to the tomb. The illusion is height
ened by the aid ofperspectve, and is arranged in
such part of the church as to lend TO every thing
the appearance of reality, and almost convince the
spectator that he is looking into the sepulchre Of
the Holy City.


At night illuminated crosses are seen on the
mount of Calvary, solemn masses are performed,
and the people pass in crowds from one church
to the other. On the next day, the procession ot
the resurrection takes place, which is composed
of all the members of the imperial court, and
moves within hollow square, surrounded by the
palace buildings. permission to witness this is,
therefore, of value, as it can only be seen to ad-
vantage from the palace windows. The empress
and highest ladies' of the court, appear in this
procession, dressed in flowing robes, whose long
trails borne by pages. The emperor and
members of the imperial family, chambcrlains,
secret-counsellors, court-sngers, and administer
ing clergy, all appear in full gala, bearing torches
and chaunting masses, amid the blast Of tTumpets,
covered by canopies and enveloped in clouds ol
frankncense. No other city in the world can
present procession Of this kind, that equals it in
splendor not even Rome, for the holy father has
not the fair sex to grace his ceremony; and the
noble figure and majestic bearing of the empress
of Austria and the Archductess Sophia, her sue
cessor, adds much to the dignity and solemnity oI
the scene. The entire procession enters the i'm.
peral chapel, where high mass is performed,
and the religious ceremonies are closed


The zeal that the Austrans have shown to-day,
in religion, they will show tomorrow in amusc-
ments TO these we will leave them, and proceed
to politics.


Since my last, affairs in Poland have been COM
paratvely quiet but there is still much smother
ed fire that must have vent sooner later and
it is worthy of remark, that though the revolution
was commenced by the mobiles, the greater dan
) ger is now apprehended from the peasantry