Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-09-24


by the Pope, the Cardinals, &c, robed IN pa
pal pomp; band of eunuchs chanting IN
gallery-for there was no instrumental muse.
In the procession, the Pope and cortege pass
ed close to where stood, so that had an ex.
cellent view of his mysterious countenance,
his CLASSY indistinct eyes, which turned to IN
ward mental devotion, like the fanatics OF
sBurley of Balfour's" period, in their fanatic
reyeries; far different indeed from the meek,
open, placid countenance of his predecessor
Plus, whom had seen at Paris, equally near
Yet Pope Leo the XII, possesses command
ing figure, which rose superior above the 10
or 20 Cardinals, besides bishops and other Dig
nitaries, IN the procession. did not witness
the ceremony of the Pope, IN Chr'St'aa hu'
mibty, Washing the feet ola few of the pal
grims who throng the streets and churches
from various parts of the (Cathoiic) continents
but | witnessed yesterday, Easter Sunday
the grandest, the most imposing spectacle,
that ever beheld; to be sure, Of nature SO
different from Napoleon reviewing his mPe'
rial guards, that no parallel will lie,
st. Peters was crowded to excess, vast as
it is; at length the sound Of martial music an:
nounced the approach ofhis Holiness, Borne,
in his pontifcal chair, surmounted by splen-
did canopy aloft on pals, supported by
the clergy robed in the aaitmost magnIti-
cence, wearing the splendid tiara, mitres
worn by the cardinals who preceded on foot'
each with his train bearers; the lesser dignta-
ries preceding them. See the Eice-gerent
of the meek and lowly Jesus, conducted thro'
files of soldiers to the Grand Altar OF st Peters
See him descend-See this dem-God con
Quoted to another papal throne prepared tor
him-hear the pealing anthems from iuii
cbo;rs ofeunuchs, whose rich and varied tones,
from that of 4 bird, to the deepest, meilowest
bass. filed even the dome of st. refers
See him again descend, approach the Grand
Altar and perform nigh mass-the sottest bu-
giles announce the elevation of the Host
thousands bend the knee-view the wax tam-
beans which, at midday, contends with the
Light oft sun-and then form an imperfect,
a mere outline of the grandest and most I'M
nosinp effect ever witnessed-at least by me.
But it is not yet concluded: crowds rush
from the cathedral to the great erea, IN 'front.'
surrounded by cavalsy and foot-thousands,
many, many thousands are awaiting IN anXious
wish. Again this terrestrial God appears at
an upper balcony Of st. Peters, borne, as be-
fore. aloft on the shoulders Of his teHOw-a'or-
tails. His Holiness rises from hrs CHAIR not "a
whisper is heard among these assembled
thousands, he pronounces from on high, the
papal bcncdiction; drops the sacredroll, which
crowds below wait to seize on; instantly eve
nv hat is of, every knee approaches the
ground, the Pope retires, rush OF carriages
and persons on foot takes place, you are al
most crushed by crowds, or driven over BY
carriages; and fatisued, exhausted, almost
stifled with dust, you hurry to your lodgings
for refreshment and repose. And this is the
Grand Lama of Catholic alteration! tad the
minister of Bantyne witnessed what his grand
son has witnessed, what would he have said OF
modern Babylon Thus, l have been blessed,
bv two Popes-have almost touched the pom
ti6cal robes of two of Christ's Vice-gerents
| am verify sick of sights, sick unto death al
most, of the superstitious folly and mummery
| e. mankind
St. Peters was illuminated at night-that of
the dome presented aview the most Splendid
the most sudden, which certainly nothing but
the view can give conception OF; and what
struck me, as giving fine effect, the evening
star, Venus, shone, at the moment, with muoh
briliancy, Immediately over the
cross which surmounts the dome Of st. Pc
tiers.
| Oh ancient Mistress of the World how art
thou changed This being Easter Monday is
holiday, yet religious ceremonies and pro-
cessons still continue. observe strangers
are rapidly departing for Naples and Florence
for which last place propose setting OIL IN
few days-from thence to Leghorn-irom
tkence-whither, l cannot decide-but my
anxiety to get home, increases. Rome is ia
nous for its artists in Mosaic-there are a few
copies, in Mosaic, of Raphaels' and other tirst
paintings, on a large scale, in St. Peters.-it
is also celebrated for its canoes and intaglios.
ought to have mentioned the ancient Pan'
theon, in fine preservation, now church, and
other splendid churches, but l fear you have
had too much.
Il was struck on entering the Vatican Mu
scum, to see few paintings by the first mas
ters-Raphael, Titan, Domnichino md 9TH
ers. to perceive one by the last, most highly
admired, the principal subjects of which are
the two heads IN yo'T room; most striking re-
semblsnce.--t is priest administering the
sacrament to St. Jerome,