assistant bishops, including the consecrator, remained standing till the hymn was concluded.
The presiding Bishop then advancing, without his mitre, to the right hand of the Archbishop, said; "May thy hand be strengthened! May thy right hand be exalted! May justice and judgment be the preparation of thy See! "Then the organ pealed forth, and they chanted the hymn of "Gloria Patri." Long and solemn prayer followed; and then, all uncovered, stood beside the gospels, at the altar.
The Archbishop rose, and with mitre and crosier, pronounced a solemn blessing on all the people assembled. Then, while all knelt beside the altar, he said—"For many years." This he repeated thrice; the second time, in the middle of the altar, the third at the feet of the presiding Bishop. Then all rising, the Archbishop bestowed on each the kiss of peace, and the ceremony concluded.
When everything was over, our carriage not being visible amongst the crowd of vehicles, I returned home in that of the Minister, with him and his Attaches; after which, they and Cn returned to dine with the new Archbishop in his palace. A dish of sweetmeats was sent me from his table, which are so pretty, (probably the chef d'œuvre of the Nuns,) that I send them to you, to preserve as a memorial of the consecration of the first Mexican Archbishop—perhaps of the last!
