DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70303#0173
PROCESSION OF A WINGED DRAGON. 149
for this rival. The princess also met the advances of
the Countess with the greatest sensibility, and as she had
no children herself, she tenderly loved those of the Coun-
tess. The bed which was occupied by the Count and his
two wives is still shewn at Gleichen. After their death
the bodies were all deposited in one tomb. The follow-
ing is the epitaph placed over them :
“ Here are interred the remains of two rival females, who loved each
“ other as sisters, and had also an invincible affection for the same husband.
One of them abandoned the religion of Mahomet to follow her spouse, while
“ the other received her long-lost husband with open arms. United by the
“ bonds of conjugal love, all three of them during life, had but one nuptial bed,
“ and after death reposed in the same tomb !”
Procession or show of a Winged Dragon, at Troyes, in
France.
Of ancient customs, though ever so absurd, it has been
rightly observed, that it is both pleasant and useful, to
bring them to our recollection, whether they are reli-
gious or profane; as these are the best means of judging
of the progress or refinement and improvements in
society.
The canons regular of the Church St. Loup, at Troyes,
formerly carried in their processions during Rogation
week, a great winged dragon, which the common people
called chairsalee. This effigy of a dragon, was well exe-
cuted in bronze. It opened its throat and eyes, flapped
its monstrous wings, moved by springs and the assist-
ance of a rope. At this monster, it was the practice of
the children to throw whatever came to their hands, and
among the rest, cakes or simnels. At the first procession
of this figure he was ornamented with garlands of flowers ;
and then it was understood he was to be contracted in
marriage: on the second day, (for the procession lasted
three days;) it being then thought that he was married it
was decorated with ribbands and trinkets : but on the fol-
lowing
for this rival. The princess also met the advances of
the Countess with the greatest sensibility, and as she had
no children herself, she tenderly loved those of the Coun-
tess. The bed which was occupied by the Count and his
two wives is still shewn at Gleichen. After their death
the bodies were all deposited in one tomb. The follow-
ing is the epitaph placed over them :
“ Here are interred the remains of two rival females, who loved each
“ other as sisters, and had also an invincible affection for the same husband.
One of them abandoned the religion of Mahomet to follow her spouse, while
“ the other received her long-lost husband with open arms. United by the
“ bonds of conjugal love, all three of them during life, had but one nuptial bed,
“ and after death reposed in the same tomb !”
Procession or show of a Winged Dragon, at Troyes, in
France.
Of ancient customs, though ever so absurd, it has been
rightly observed, that it is both pleasant and useful, to
bring them to our recollection, whether they are reli-
gious or profane; as these are the best means of judging
of the progress or refinement and improvements in
society.
The canons regular of the Church St. Loup, at Troyes,
formerly carried in their processions during Rogation
week, a great winged dragon, which the common people
called chairsalee. This effigy of a dragon, was well exe-
cuted in bronze. It opened its throat and eyes, flapped
its monstrous wings, moved by springs and the assist-
ance of a rope. At this monster, it was the practice of
the children to throw whatever came to their hands, and
among the rest, cakes or simnels. At the first procession
of this figure he was ornamented with garlands of flowers ;
and then it was understood he was to be contracted in
marriage: on the second day, (for the procession lasted
three days;) it being then thought that he was married it
was decorated with ribbands and trinkets : but on the fol-
lowing