Waterbury Evening Democrat

DANCE BEFORE THE ALTAR.

Impressive Ceremony Witnessed in

the Cathedral at Seville Critics

Are Moved by It.

The boys enter the space before the high altar, their hats under their arms and their ivory castanets in their hands, says Donohue's Magazine in describing the Cathedral of Seville. Having genuflected before the altar, they put on their hats and take their places face to face, each to his allotted position. The four tallest boys are named the "puntas," or heads; the four next the "segundos," or seconds, and the two smallest boys are the "trancas," or bars. All through the various figures their movements are infinitely graceful and dignified. The dance is something like the minuet and the children time their steps to their own sweet voices, accompanied by the low tone of the magnificent organ or the plaintive wail of the violin.

It is quite impossible to describe the impression this strange and unique ceremony makes on the mind; the sound of those fresh young voices ringing through the vaulted cathedral, the click of the castanets, the throng of silent spectators and the presence of the archbishop, canons and clergy, all in their richest choir vestments, combine to render the scene imposing—nay, almost sacred. Even persons who go to see this famous dance through curiosity and prepared to criticise leave the sacred building impressed and deeply moved.