The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-26 00:00:00

The Church, th

and the Temple

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—'l hero has been much discussion lately in
the public press as to the scarcity of highly qua-
lified graduates for clerical preferments. Is this to
be wondered at when, among the candidates for the
readership of the Temple Church, for which one
would suppose learning to be a necessary qualifica-
tion, appears one who is technically termed a " ten-
year man ?" lam not acquainted with this gen-
tleman, and have not the slightest interest in the
matter except as regards the general principle.
Your readers may not be aware that the degree
of 8.D., taken by the candidate to whom I refer,
is the lowest that the University can grant, a lite-
rate or otherwise, by keeping his name on the books
of the University for ten years, of which he need
only reside in Cambridge three terms, is entitled to
receive his B.D. degree on passing an examination
(if he can, I speak advisedly) lasting about one
hour.

As an University man, I must say that I think
the clement of learning should not be neglected in
so important an appointment. I may add that the
act of Queen Elizabeth, authorising this degree, was
repealed in 1858, so that no more B.D.'s of this
class will be created after 1868. Cambridge has
certainly no reason to be proud of such graduates.
—I am, sir, your obedient servant, _ .

B. A.

London, Dec. 23, 1865.

Christmas in Rome.

It was a glorious and cloudless morning ; sun•
beams streamed in columns from the southern win•

down, falling on the vast space full of soldiers and
a mingled mass of every kind of people. Up the
nave stood double files of the Pontifical guard.
Monks and nuns mixed with the Swiss cuirassiers
and halberds. Contadini crowded round the sacred
images, and especially round the foot of St. Peter.
I saw many mothers lift their swaddled babies up
to kiss it. Valets of cardinals, with the invariable
red umbrellas, hung about side chapels and sacris-
ties. Purple-mantled monsignori, like emperor
butterflies, floated down the aisles from sunlight
into shadow. Movement, colour, and the stir of
expectation, made the church alive. We showed
our raiment to the guard, were admitted within their
ranks, and solemnly walked up toward the dome.
There, under its broad canopy, stood the altar glit-
tering with gold and candles. The choir was carpeted
and hung with scarlet. Two magnificent thrones
rose ready for the Pope: guards of honour, soldiers,
attaches, and the elite of the residents and visitors
in Rome, were scattered in groups picturesquely
varied by ecclesiastics of all orders and degrees. At
ten a stirring took place near the great west door. It
opened, and we saw the procession of the Pope and
his cardinals. Before him marched the singers and
the blowers of silver trumpets, making the most liquid
melody. Then came his Cap of Maintenance, and
three tiaras; then a company of mitred bishops; next
the cardinals in scarlet ; and last, aloft beneath a
canopy, upon the shoulders of men, and flanked by
the mystic fans, advanced the Pope himself, swaying
to and fro like a Llama, or an Aztec king. Still
the trumpets blew most silvery, and still the people
knelt ; and as we came we knelt and had his bless-
ing. Then he took his stare and received homage.
After this the choir began to sing a mass of Pales-
trina's, and the deacons robed the Pope. Marvellous
putting on and taking off of robes and tiaras and
mitres ensues, during which there was much bowing
and praying and burning of incense. At last when
he had reached the highest stage of sacrificial sanc-
tity, he proceeded to the altar, waited on by cardi-
nals and bishops. Having tensed it carefully, he
took a higher throne and divested himself of part
of his robes. Then the mass went on iu earnest,
till the moment of consecration, when it paused,
the Pope descended from his throne, passed
down the choir, and reached the altar. Every one
knelt ; the shrill bell tinkled ; the silver trumpets
blew ; the air became sick and heavy with incense,
so that sun and candlelight swooned in an atmo-
sphere of odorous clouds-wreaths. The whole church
trembled, hearing the strange subtle music vibrate
n the dome, and seeing the Pope with his own hands
Christ's body from the altar and present it to

the people. An old parish priest, pilgrim from some
valley of the Apennines, who knelt beside me, cried
and quivered with excess of adoration. The great
tombs around, the sculptured saints and angels, the
dome, the volumes of light and incense and un-
familiar melody, the hierarchy ministrant, the white
and central figure of the Pope, the multitude—
made up an overpowering effect.—Cornhill Maga-
zine for January.