First, boys and youths in surplices.

Then some scarlet hoods, waddling.

Then purple hoods, and other colours, a little paunchier, waddling more, and lastly the archbishop, very sumptuous.

All having disappeared into the Baptistery, through Ghiberti's second gates, which I never saw opened before, the dove's wire was stretched and fastened, a matter needing much care; and the crowds began to surge.

The cocked hats and officers had the space all to themselves, with the car, the firemen, the pyrotechnist and the few privileged and very self-conscious civilians who were allowed inside.
A curious incident, which many years ago might have been magnified into a portent, occurred while the ecclesiastics were in the Artistry.
Some one either bought and liberated several air balloons, or the string holding them was surreptitiously cut; but however it happened, the balls escaped and suddenly the crowd sent up a triumphant yell.