CHAPTER XIII

Military Hierarchy of Mexico -- Religious Superstitions -- Legend of _Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe_ -- A profane Version of the Story -- A curious Plan for manufacturing Water -- Saints and Images -- Processions -- How to make it Rain -- The Sacred Host -- Fanaticism and Murder -- Honors paid to a Bishop -- Servility to Priests -- Attendance at Public Worship -- New Mexicans in Church -- The Vesper Bells -- Passion Week and the Ceremonies pertaining thereto -- Ridiculous _Penitencia_ -- Whitewashing of Criminals -- Matrimonial Connexions and Mode of Contracting them -- Restrictions upon Lovers -- Onerous Fees paid for Marriages and Burials -- Anecdote of a _Ranchero_ -- Ditto of a Servant and of a Widow, illustrative of Priestly Extortion -- Modes of Burial, and Burial Ground of the Heretics, 37