why to the man of untutored ideality, who happens to be but loosely acquainted with the peculiar character of the day, does the bare mention of whitsuntide marshal in the fancy such long, dreary, speechless processions of slow-pacing pilgrims, down-cast and hooded with new-fallen snow? or, to the unread, unsophisticated protestant of the middle american states, why does the passing mention of a white friar or a white nun, evoke such an eyeless statue in the soul?