incense-boys

Updated: May 12, 2025

At once all the National bayonets were on the present, and the sabres of the old Invalids up. First, there was a tall handsome cross-bearer, bearing a long gold cross, of which the front was turned towards his grace the Archbishop. Then came a double row of about sixteen incense-boys, dressed in white surplices: the first boy, about six years old, the last with whiskers and of the height of a man.

William Makepeace Thackeray - The Second Funeral of Napoleon