The woman from whom they had bought their spices had packed the whole neatly together.  Nicodemus had bought a hundred pounds’ weight of roots, which quantity is equal to about thirty-seven pounds of our measure, as has been explained to me.  They carried these spices in little barrels make of bark, which were hung round their necks, and rested on their breasts.  One of these barrels contained some sort of powder.  They had also some bundles of herbs in bags made of parchment or leather, and Joseph carried a box of ointment; but I do not know what this box was made of.  The servants were to carry vases, leathern bottles, sponges, and tools, on a species of litter, and they likewise took fire with them in a closed lantern.  They left the town before their master, and by a different gate (perhaps that of Bethania), and then turned their steps towards Mount Calvary.  As they walked through the town they passed by the house where the Blessed Virgin; St. John, and the holy women had gone to seek different things required for embalming the body of Jesus, and John and the holy women followed the servants at a certain distance.  The women were about five in number, and some of them carried large bundles of linen under their mantles.  It was the custom for women, when they went out in the evening, or if intending to perform some work of piety secretly, to wrap their persons carefully in a long sheet at least a yard wide.  They began by one arm, and then wound the linen so closely round their body that they could not walk without difficulty.  I have seen them wrapped up in this manner, and the sheet not only extended to both arms, but likewise veiled the head.  On the present occasion, the appearance of this dress was most striking in my eyes, for it was a real mourning garment.  Joseph and Nicodemus were also in mourning attire, and wore black sleeves and wide sashes.  Their cloaks, which they had drawn over their heads, were both wide and long, of a common grey colour, and served to conceal everything that they were carrying.  They turned their steps in the direction of the gate leading to Mount Calvary.  The streets were deserted and quiet, for terror kept everyone at home.  The greatest number were beginning to repent, and but few were keeping the festival.  When Joseph and Nicodemus reached the gate they found it closed, and the road, streets, and every corner lined with soldiers.  These were the soldiers whom the Pharisees had asked for at about two o’clock, and whom they had kept under arms and on guard, as they still feared a tumult among the people.  Joseph showed an order, signed by Pilate, to let them pass freely, and the soldiers were most willing that they should do so, but explained to him that they had endeavoured several times to open the gate, without being able to move it; that apparently the gate had received a shock, and been strained in some part; and that on this account the archers sent to break the legs of the thieves had been obliged to return to the city by another gate.  But when Joseph and Nicodemus seized hold of the bolt, the gate opened as if of itself, to the great astonishment of all the bystanders.