DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12665#0249
OSTENTATIOUS HUMILITY". 233
if it must needs be so, and had his shoes and stock-
ings in his hands ready for a start, when I brought
him down again by telling him it would soon be
over ; and, though he had been shamefully treated,
that he might cut the gentleman next to him when-
ever he pleased.
After goading him as long as he could possibly
bear, I left him to observe the ceremony. At the
upper end of the chapel, placed there for the occa-
sion, was a large chair, with a gilt frame and vel-
vet back and cushion, intended as the seat of the
nominal disciple. Before it was a large copper
vase, filled with water, and a plentiful sprinkling of
rose leaves ; and before that, a large red velvet
cushion, on which the superior kneeled to perform
the office of lavation. I need not suggest how in-
consistent was this display of gold, rose-water, and
velvet, with the humble scene it was intended to
represent; but the tinsel and show imposed upon
the eyes for which they were intended.
One after another the disciples came up, seated
themselves in the chair, and put their feet in the
copper vase. The superior kneeled upon the
cushion, with both his hands washed the right foot,
wiped it with a clean towel, kissed it, and then held
it in his hands to receive the kisses of the monks,
and of all volunteers that offered. All went on
well enough until it came to the turn of Paul's
friend and forerunner, the doughty Pole. There
was a general titter as he took his place in the
chair ; and I saw the superior and the monk who
if it must needs be so, and had his shoes and stock-
ings in his hands ready for a start, when I brought
him down again by telling him it would soon be
over ; and, though he had been shamefully treated,
that he might cut the gentleman next to him when-
ever he pleased.
After goading him as long as he could possibly
bear, I left him to observe the ceremony. At the
upper end of the chapel, placed there for the occa-
sion, was a large chair, with a gilt frame and vel-
vet back and cushion, intended as the seat of the
nominal disciple. Before it was a large copper
vase, filled with water, and a plentiful sprinkling of
rose leaves ; and before that, a large red velvet
cushion, on which the superior kneeled to perform
the office of lavation. I need not suggest how in-
consistent was this display of gold, rose-water, and
velvet, with the humble scene it was intended to
represent; but the tinsel and show imposed upon
the eyes for which they were intended.
One after another the disciples came up, seated
themselves in the chair, and put their feet in the
copper vase. The superior kneeled upon the
cushion, with both his hands washed the right foot,
wiped it with a clean towel, kissed it, and then held
it in his hands to receive the kisses of the monks,
and of all volunteers that offered. All went on
well enough until it came to the turn of Paul's
friend and forerunner, the doughty Pole. There
was a general titter as he took his place in the
chair ; and I saw the superior and the monk who