Letters from a young painter abroad to his friends in England. Adorned with copper plates. Volume 2

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

62-63

text excerpt

Their eminences the Cardinals, to the number of thirty two, in purple habits, which is their mourning, assisted at vespers, and at the office for the dead: all which were performed, by turns, by the mendicant friers [sic]; and the usual Absolution was sung by the choir of the convent, and that of the Pope's chapel.

The mournful Procession was begun by the children of S. MICHAEL, and the Orphans; two torches being carried before each company. ---These were followed by the seventeen Confraternities, consisting of an infinite number of persons, in their proper habits, the ensign or standard of each society being carried before it, and each person who belonged to it, walking with a torch in one hand. ---Then appeared the cross of the chapter of S. PETER'S, attended by the mace-bearer, and four of the inferior officers of the church, in their surplices, with lighted torches. ---Next proceeded the Religious of twelve different orders. ---Then gentlemen appointed out of the several Confraternities, each having a taper in his hand, to the number of five hundred. ---After these the regular clergy of the church of the Twelve Apostles, in which parish the Princess [Maria Clementina Sobieski] died. ---Then the Chamberlain of the clergy of Rome between the two Parish-priests of the church of the Holy Apostles and of that of the Vatican. ---These were followed by singers, who sung the exequial Psalms in a mournful strain. ---Next went the Chapter and Clergy of the Vatican church. ---The Princess's family. ---The Scholars of the national Colleges of the English, Scotch, and Irish. ---The body of the Princess upon the bed of state, borne by some nobles of her court […] looked beautiful and majestic even in death.

excerpt from 'Letters from a young painter abroad to his friends in England. Adorned with copper plates. Volume 2' pp. 62-63 (288 words)

1509103330381:

1509103330381