ion all the principal streets are protected
from the sun by canvas awnings; and from the windows of every house
draperies are suspended, the materials of which are more or less rich
according to the means of their respective proprietors. From an early
hour of the morning, ushered in by sunshine and the gay orchestra of the
Giralda bells, the vast marble pavement of the cathedral begins to
disappear beneath the momentarily increasing crowd. Here all classes are
mingled; but the most conspicuous are the arrivals from the surrounding
villages, distinguished by their more sunburnt complexions and the showy
colours of their costume, contrasted with the uniformly dark tints of
the attire of the Sevillanos.

Here are seen also in great numbers, accompanied by their relatives, the
gay _cigarreras_, whose acquaintance we shall presently make in the
_fabrica de tabaco_. The instinctive coquetry discernible, no less in
the studied reserve of their looks than in the smart step and faultless
nicety of costume, indicates how easy would be the transition to the
quality of the still more _piquant_ but somewhat less moral _maja_. The
black satin, low-quartered shoe is of a different material; but the
snow-white stocking, and dark green skirt the same--and the black-velvet
bordered mantilla is the identical one, which was held tight to the
chin, when passing, the evening before, under the city walls on the
return from the manufactory to the faubourg at the other extremity of
Seville.

The procession, headed by a band of music, and accompanied by the
dignitaries of the diocese, and civil authorities of the province,
bearing _cierges_, winds through the principal streets, and re-enters
the church to the sound of the two magnificent organs, never heard in
unison except on this anniversary. The exterior of the principal portal
is ornamented on this occasion with a sort of curtain, which is said to
contain upwards of three thousand yards of crimson velvet, bordered with
gold lace. The columns of the centre nave are also completely attired
from top to bottom with coverings of the same material. The value of the
velvet employed, is stated at nearly ten thousand pounds.

Christmas-day is also solemnized at Seville, with much zeal; but the
manner of doing it honour presents more of novelty than splendour. At
the early hour of seven the parish churches are completely filled. The
organ pours forth, from that time until the termination of the serv