Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1875 — The Fete-Dien. [ARTICLE]

The Fete-Dien.

Writing of the Fete-Dieu a Paris correspondent says: The Fete-Dieu might almost Im? called a Feast ot Flowers, so profusely are flowers lavished on altars and church walls. And, putting religion aside, it is a pity that it is no LSger celebrated as it used to be in days of yore, and as it still is in some provincial towns. Then, or rather we will say there, and speak in the present, it is made known some time tn advance through what streets the procession will pass. Then every house in those streets is cleaned from top to bottom. The inhabitants of the several streets and squares through which the processton passes subscribe the necessary funds to build an altar at the entrance of the street or in the square with garlands and arches of evergreens and flowers. Windows and doors are also decked with draperv and flowers, and sometimes the ground is strewn with flowers and green boughs. The banners of the various churches are carried by the noblest ladies in the parish, and their ribbons are held by other young girls of equal rank. In the procession itself the rich and poor are indiscriminately mingled, symmetry of size being alone studied. Al! are dressed alike in white, with flowing veils covering their figures. It would seem also that the provinces are more flavored than Paris by the weather, for, whereas it generally rains here, it is usually fine" weather there. And the festival is a festival for all. In the evening, when the religious celebration is over, there is dancing and merS -making. And little children think of e Feit-Dien for many a> long month afterward, aye, almost until it is time to prepare for another. ■ ’ Fox’s martyrs —Pucks, tur-. keys and geese.