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the strange and solemn scene which the performance of divine service, according to the catholic ceremonial presented. The long aisles-the immense columns-the loftiness of the arches that formed the roof over their heads-the congregation sitting in straw bottomed chairs, or kneeling in other chairs made with the seats near to the floor on purpose to be knelt upon, and waiting in solemn silence while the priests at the altar, at a great distance away, were performing their ceremonies-the rich and gorgeous dresses of the priests-the tinkling of a little bell now and then to signify to the congregation some important part of the ceremony, the distance being too great for them all to see-the throwing up of the censors with clouds of smoke arising from them these and other similar things, absorbed the attention of the whole party while they remained in the church, and filled them with emotions of curiosity and wonder.

For seats at the cathedral, Mrs. Morelle and her party took possession of some of the chairs, Grimkie having chosen a place where they could see well what was going on. Very soon after they had taken their seats, a tidy-looking young woman, dressed in the costume of the country, came to be paid for the chairs. It was one sou, that is to say, one cent for each

person.

In the French churches and cathedrals there are no pews, but only these chairs, which are paid for at the time by the persons occupying them, and then when the service is ended, are generally moved away.

When the party left the church, Mrs. Morelle and John, who happened to be first in going out, got separated a little from Florence and Grimkie, who came afterward. As Florence and Grimkie were walking along, they noticed before them two young men whom Grimkie observed were speaking English.

"Hush,” said Grimkie, in a whisper to Florence. "These gentlemen are speaking English. Let us hear what they are saying."

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men,

"I tell you, Edward," said one of the young "that it is all sheer idolatry. That priest had a consecrated wafer, which he pretended was the real body of Christ, and he held it up for them all to worship. Did you see them kneel, and bow their heads, and cross themselves, when the little bell tinkled to let them know that the priest was holding it up ?"

"It may not have been idolatry, John," said Edward. "They say that they only consider the bread which they believe to be the body of Christ, as the symbol of his spiritual presence, and that the real object of their worship is God

in Christ, and in the symbol, and not the symbol itself."

"No," said John, "that's a refinement too deep for them. There is not one in twenty that regard it in that light. For the rest it is rank idolatry, and you, by kneeling when they did, gave your sanction to it, and shared the sin. I would not do any such thing, but kept my seat all the time as a silent protest against it."

"When I see people endeavoring to worship God, and actually worshipping him as well as they know how," rejoined Edward, "if I know better than they, it seems to me that instead of standing aloof from them, and reproving and censuring them, I ought to join them, only taking care that I myself perform the duty according to my better light."

"No," said John, "that is the wrong principle. We ought to show our colors wherever we are, and to set our faces like a flint against all false religion wherever we find it."

Just at this time the two young men turned away to go down a side street, which led to the Luxembourg hotel, where they were lodging.

"Well, Florence," said Grimkie, as soon as the young men were out of hearing, "what do you say to that? Which of those two men do you think was right ?"

"I think Edward was right," said Florence. "And I think John was right," said Grimkie. "I go for showing our colors."

"We will ask mother," said Florence.

"So we will," said Grimkie.

Florence and Grimkie, however, had their attention drawn to other things before they reached home, and so forgot to refer the question of the proper course to be pursued, when we are present at religious services conducted on principles different from our own. They saw no more of the young men, for they, that is the young men, who were two students from America, on their way to Paris, were traveling in a contrary direction from Mrs. Morelle's party. How Mrs. Morelle would have answered the question, if it had been referred to her, I cannot say. It is a difficult question, and one which greatly divides the opinions of conscientious protestants traveling in catholic countries. Many think as Edward did, and many others, equally conscientious, agree with John.

CHAPTER VI.

THE TAPESTRY.

THE next morning the first thing to be done after breakfast, was to go and see the famous tapestry. Madame Achard herself directed the party where to go. They followed the main. street of the town for some distance, and then turning to the left they went along a cross street till they came to a pretty large square, planted with trees in regular rows, and with seats here and there under them. Children were playing in various places under these trees, the nurses who had the care of them sitting in the meantime upon the seats, and engaged in knitting or sewing.

On one side of the square, which was occupied by a range of buildings, there was in one place a high wall, with a large arched gateway in the centre of it, over which was inscribed in great letters the word BIBLIOTHÈQUE, which means library. This was the entrance to the public library of the town, where the tapestry is now kept. It was formerly kept in the cathedral,

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