Chapter 4

THE MASS--Its introduction but modern--The Spaniard Lainez 87 opposed it--On what grounds--Description of the ceremony--Its religious and secular peculiarities--Sacerdotal vestments worn while celebrating it--High and Low Mass--Both performed in an unknown tongue--Consequent indifference of the congregation--Mercenary character of the mass--"_Masses for the intention_"--Masses for the dead--The solemn mass on Christmas eve, or _Noche buena_--Its profane accompaniments--Passion week--Thursday--Good Friday--Adoration of the Cross--Processions--Anecdotes of Isabella II.--Brilliant rites and ceremonies on the day after Good Friday--Uproarious conduct of the faithful on that occasion--The mass as celebrated at Toledo--Judicial combat, or judgment of God