church of San Francisco, the hardest part of which was their
having to kneel for about ten minutes with their arms extended in
the form of a cross, uttering groans, a most painful position for
any length of time. It was a profane thought, but I dare say so
many hundreds of beautifully-formed arms and hands were seldom
seen extended at the same moment before. Gloves not being worn in
church, and many of the women having short sleeves, they were
very much seen.

"But the other night I was present at a much stranger scene, at
the discipline performed by the men, admission having been
procured for us by certain means, _private but powerful_.
Accordingly, when it was dark, enveloped from head to foot in
large cloaks, and without the slightest idea of what it was, we
went on foot through the streets to the church of San Agustin.
When we arrived, a small side door apparently opened of itself,
and we entered, passing through long vaulted passages, and up
steep winding stairs, till we found ourselves in a small railed
gallery looking down directly upon the church. The scene was
curious. About one hundred and fifty men, enveloped in cloaks and
sarapes, their faces entirely concealed, were assembled in the
body of the church. A monk had just mounted the pulpit, and the
church was dimly lighted, except where he stood in bold relief,
with his gay robes and cowl thrown back, giving a full view of
his high, bald forehead and expressive face.

"His discourse was a rude but very forcible and eloquent
description of the torments prepared in hell for impenitent
sinners. The effect of the whole was very solemn. It appeared
like a preparation for the execution of a multitude of condemned
criminals. When the discourse was finished, they all joined in
prayer with much fervor and enthusiasm, beating their breasts and
falling upon their faces. Then the monk stood up, and in a very
distinct voice read several passages of Scripture descriptive of
the sufferings of Christ. The organ then struck up the
_Miserere_, and all of a sudden the church was plunged in
profound darkness, all but a sculptured representation of the
Crucifixion, which seemed to hang in the air illuminated. I felt
rather frightened, and would have been glad to lea