There are other sorts of solemn masses, as the collegiate, the pontifical, those celebrated before the pope, cardinals, or bishops, at Christmas, Passion-week, &c.

When high mass is performed episcopally, or by a bishop, it is attended with still greater ceremony and magnificence. As soon as the bishop is observed to come in sight, the bells are rung; that is, of course, where bells are used, which in this country is not very common. On his setting his foot within the churchdoors the organs begin to play; the master of the ceremonies gives the sprinkler to the head-canon, who presents it, after he has kissed both that and the prelate's hand. His lordship sprinkles himself, and then the canons with it, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and then goes and says a prayer before the altar, on which stands the holy sacrament, at a desk prepared for that particular purpose, and does the same at the high altar, from whence he withdraws into the vestry, and there puts on his peculiar ornaments in the following order:

The sub-deacon goes to a little closet contiguous to the altar, and takes from them the episcopal sandals and stockings, which he elevates and presents to the bishop. Then the deacon kneels down, and pulls off his lordship's shoes and stockings, in the midst of seven or eight acolites and readers, the former being generally young per sons, whose business it is to wait on the pope, or serve in churches, as in this instance. The word itself simply signifies followers. These are all dressed in their respective habits, and with the deacons, all upon their knees, spread the prelate's robes.

Two of the acolites, or accolythi, after that they have washed their hands, take the sacred habiliments, hold them up, and give them to the two deacon-assistants, to put upon the bishop as soon as he has washed his hands. The deacon salutes the bishop, takes off his upper garment, and puts on his amice, the cross whereof he devoutly kisses. Then they give him the albe, the girdle, the cross for his breast; the stole, and pluvial. Upon receiving each of these the bishop kisses the cross, thereby to testify his veneration of that sacred emblem. The deacons and assistants likewise kiss the holy vestments.

As soon as the bishop is seated, they put his mitre on,

and a priest presents him with the pastoral ring The deacon gives him his right glove, and the sub-deacon his left, which each of them kiss, as also the hand they have the honour to serve in all these circumstances.

Prayers intended to return God thanks for the sanctification of his church by the Holy Ghost, are ejaculated, and adapted to each individual piece of the episcopal robes. The devotion of this ceremony is also supported and confirmed by the singing the office of the tierce. These several robes, &c. have also each a mystical or spiritual signification; as the stole describes the yoke of the gospel; the taking off of the shoes alludes to Moses putting off his shoes. The pluvial was formerly used by travellers, to represent the miseries of this life, &c. &c.

The bishop being thus dressed in all his habiliments, his clergy range themselves round about him. Two deacons, who are canons, place themselves on each side of him, both in their dalmaticus; and after them a deacon and sub-deacon. Then the incense-bearer, with the censer, and a priest, with the navel, out of which the bishop takes the incense, puts it into the censer, and gives it his benediction. After this he kisses the cross, which is upon the vestry altar; and then goes in procession to the other altar, where he is to celebrate the mass. The incensebearer walks at the head of the procession; two wax-candle bearers, with lighted tapers in their hands, march next on each side of him who bears the cross.

All the clergy follow them. The sub-deacon, who is to sing the epistle, carries before his breast the New Testament shut, with the bishop's maniple in it. A deacon and priest march just before the bishop; his lordship carrying his shepherd's crook in his left hand, to dispense his blessings on those good christians he passes in his way.

The bishop being advanced to the altar, bows himself once to the clergy and then advances on the first step of the altar; delivers his crook to the sub-deacon, the deacon taking off the mitre. Then the prelate and clergy all bow before the cross on the altar; after which the clergy withdraw, except two priests' assistants, one on his right hand and the other on his left, with the incense-bearer, the sub-deacon, the two deacons assistants; and thus the ceremony of the mass-service begins, the choir singing the Introit.

Want of room prevents a further description of the ceremonies attending mass in the various forms in which that great service, or sacrifice, is performed; or an amusing account of the solemn mass, as celebrated by the pope himself, might be given; a ceremony abounding with unusual pomp and magnificence.

It would be equally amusing to describe the peculiar ceremonies attending high-mass at Christmas, when his holiness officiates; but this cannot be done: space is only left to notice some other topics of interest and importance connected with this venerable and singular community of Christians.

The procession of the host on Good Friday in Catholic countries is peculiarly solemn; though not so grand and imposing as on some occasions.

At Courtray, a town in the Austrian Netherlands, it was, and it is believed still is, the practice, on Good Fridays, to have a grand procession to what they call Mount Calvary, when a poor man is hired to represent the suffering Saviour, and in that capacity receives no small portion of thumps and blows. It was, also, once the custom at Brussels to have a public representation of the crucifixion; but I am inclined to believe, that the advancement of knowledge has taught the agents to lay aside that absurd custom. And it should be observed, once for all, that these, and such like practices, have nothing to do with the ceremonies of the church properly speaking. In all Catholic countries, however, to this day, the practice of procession-walking, on numerous occasions, particularly on what is called corpus christi, is very prevalent.

The prone, or homily, ought not to be overlooked. Under this word prone, we are to include the instruction which is given to the people relative to what is necessary to salvation; the prayers of the church in a peculiar manner for the faithful; the publication of festivals, fasts, banns of matrimony, holy orders, and other things concerning the discipline of the church. The prone follows the gospel, in the performance of divine service. It is performed with great ceremony and pomp.

It will be expected that some notice should be taken of the use of beads, the rosary, &c.