Barcia gives arras the general meaning of "that which is given as a pledge or token of any agreement. It was extended also to the marriage contract. Also, the thirteen pieces of money which in weddings serve for the formality of that function, passing from the hands of the bridegroom to those of the bride. In law, the amount which the man promises to the woman on account of his marriage to her; it cannot exceed, according to law, the tenth part of his possessions." He defines arrha (French, arrhes) as "a pledge or token given to secure and confirm a contract." [23] The context would seem to require here the amount of the fee for burial of a child; this has apparently been omitted in the MS. by a clerical error. The general appearance of the MS., and various memoranda on the back, suggest the probability that this was one of the copies furnished to the Jesuit Borja. [24] Spanish, possas. At funerals, prayers were read at different points on the way to the cemetery; for instance, at the church door, midway on the route, and at the cemetery gate--if not oftener. Of course the procession halted while prayers were being read or chanted; so for each halt (posa) a fee was due.--Rev. T. C. Middleton, O.S.A. [25] Spanish, missas de nouenario; the novenary is a nine days' condolence for the deceased. The same term is also applied to a nine days' devotion offered to some saint. [26] Spanish, el velo; literally, the "veil," or the "veiling;" evidently referring to the old-time usage of placing a veil over the married pair (see note 16, ante), as a part of the ceremonies at the nuptial mass. I am told by one of our fathers here at Villanova, who lived in Spain years ago, that at marriages in that country the bride wears the usual wedding-veil, and continues to wear it in public for one week after the marriage; it is white, sometimes plain, sometimes adorned with ribbons or flowers of various colors.--Rev. T. C. Middleton, O.S.A. [27] Spanish, cruz alta con su manga. The processional cross was carried on a staff, as used in the United States in processions; at funerals the crucifix was covered with black, this funeral trapping (manga) covering or veiling the cross as a sign of grief. Sometimes the sacristan bore only a small cross, without staff; this depended wholly on his fee. In all Catholic churches in the United States, we use the crucifixes covered in Holy Week; but we do not veil crosses at funerals.--Rev. T. C. Middleton, O.S.A.