Travels in the United States, etc.,: during 1849 and 1850./ By the Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley.

LOTTERY IN THE GRAND PLAZA.
ants (often Indians or negroes) generally carry lanterns, and walk
on either side of the procession. The priest, bearing his sacred
charge, walks between these rows of light; a canopy is borne
over his head by four boys, and a crowd of people sometimes follows the procession. Every person remains uncovered while it
passes, and upon their knees.
There is one moment here, as in most of the South American
countries and cities, very impressive, figitive as it is-it is the
moment of the Oracion, when the great cathedral bell turns all
the air to a most heavenly thunder-music. Then every hat is
reverentially lifted, and every lip seems to tremble with a whispered word of prayer; then the parent lays an affectionate hand
on the little child's bowed head; and all seem, for one brief moment, raised from earth, its cares, and business, and interests.
Even the lottery-man, who was hallooing "Suerte, suerte!" stops
at the unfinished word, and suddenly pulls up his curveting voice
on its haunches! Soon'tis o'er; and the bells ring again-again
-a joyous peal. But impressive as this looks to a stranger, there
is too much reason to fear it is a custom only mechanically followed by those who have observed it continually.
We saw a curious sight-to us at least-the other evening, in
returning from a drive with Mrs. A. This was the lotterydrawing which is very formally conducted, and which takes place
in the Grand Plaza, exactly opposite the cathedral. A temporary
platform and apartment are erected there, which in front are
open to the public. In the forepart of this stage are to be seen
several hollow wooden globes, of a large size, painted of a conspicuous yellow color, and turning on the stands which sustain them
by means of a crank. Into each ball opens a little door, and by
the side of each of the globes the different numbers that are to go
into it were exhibited oni inclined planes, so as to be exposed to
the public view: these numbers were painted upon little flat,
circular counters.
Behind all this display and array sit three official-looking persons, the judges, grave as an equal number of Lord Chancellors on
the wool-sack; then three venerable old gentlemen are seen who
have to turn the aforesaid globes; and there is a triad of little
boys (who, we were informed, are orphan children, usually from
the Foundling Hospital-a curious education for them-this teach img the young idea how to gamble); and these complete the dra iiatis petsonc.
Generally, as the expected hour approaches, the Plaza becomes
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