fact, unless _speaking Gaelic_ to the wood-nymphs could be so
construed,) and drew upon us the censures this dreadful missive
conveyed. The magnate remained a few days, and on his departure for
town, we resumed our usual pastimes, but selected a different _path_
to Captain Ducharme's. The Fathers had requested, when this
establishment was first formed, that some of the Company's officers
should attend church on Sundays for the purpose of showing a good
example to the natives. I did so, on my part, very regularly until
Christmas Eve, when having witnessed the ceremonies of the midnight
mass, I determined on remaining at home in future. I shuddered with
horror at the idolatrous rites, as they appeared to me, which were
enacted on that occasion. The ceremonies commenced with the
celebration of mass; then followed the introduction of the "Infant
Jesus," borne by four of the choristers, attired in surplices of white
linen. The image being placed by them on a sofa in front of the altar,
the superior of the seminary made his début, retiring to the railing
that surrounds the altar, when he knelt, and bending low his head
apparently in devout adoration, he arose, then advanced two steps
towards the altar and knelt again; he knelt the third time close to
the side of the image, which he devoutly embraced, then withdrew: the
younger priests performed the same ceremonies; and after them every
one of their congregation: yet these people protest that their
religion has no connexion with idolatry, and that the representations
of Protestants regarding it are false and calumnious. If we credit
them, however, we must belie the evidence of our own senses; but the
fact is, there are not a few Roman Catholics who speak with very
little _respect_ themselves of some of these mummeries.