Page:Glimpses of Bohemia by MacDonald (1882).pdf/45

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THE CENTENARY OF THE TOLERATION OF PROTESTANTISM, 1881.
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each, and the rearguard, half hid by the fruit trees which line the road, are two or three hundred yards below. On the bank to the left of the foremost carriage, a crowd of peasants, mostly women, in the gay costume of the district, consisting of bright, highly-wrought bodice, large Elizabethan-like collar, red head-covering, variously coloured dress, and Hessian boots, but also including a good many hard-featured, clear-eyed, weather-beaten men, stand separated by a short space from the small group of pastors, plainly dressed in black, among whom are five travel-stained foreigners. In the space between, two tall, erect figures stand by themselves-one the stalwart elder, a powerful, active man, past his prime; the other the venerable-looking Superintendent, a man of noble presence. The elder delivered an address of welcome, the Superintendent and Dr. Marshall Lang briefly reply, the latter speaking through an interpreter.

Proceeding towards Klobouk, still six miles off, the procession passed slowly through hamlets decorated with flags, and was constantly greeted by fresh groups of peasants. Between the villages a brisk pace was maintained, and soon we were within earshot of the Klobouk bells. The town lies embosomed in a valley, white houses rising tier above tier almost to the ridge of the enclosing hills, on one of which several windmills stand, as if they were colossal sentries keeping watch and ward. The houses are separated by gardens and vineyards, while the streets are lined with beautiful acacia trees. The Protestant houses bore flags of the Austrian and Moravian colours, many of them bearing the symbolic cup in the centre. At the entrance to the village square, a floral arch had been erected, bearing in large letters, “Vitejte!” the Bohemian for “Welcome.” Passing under the arch, the procession entered the square, where a large crowd had assembled to witness the arrival of the delegates at the principal inn, and received them with every mark of respect.

On the evening of arrival, the opening sermon was preached to the Synod by Pastor Cisar. The church was packed in every part, and numbers of people also stood round the open windows and door. The appearance of the congregation was most striking. The women were