New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-08-17

TIE GREATEST ROBBERY ON REooRD.-Thc
astounding news has been received OF the robbery
of the house of our Lady of Loretto. Paris pa
pers state that these treasures, the accumulation
of centuries and almost past the calculations OF
arithmetic in value, have been taken Oft by the
keeper, to whom they were entrusted, and who
suddenly embarked for Trieste in steamer Be-
Ieying that the following particulars will be new
TO many American readers, we have selected them
from work not yet published" The American
in Italy"
Loretto, celebrated above all other places IN
Italy for pilgrimages Is small town and seaport
nm the Adriatic. on the borders of the march Of
Ancona, and about four leagues from that city
II ia the object of extraordinary veneratlon, by
sea as well as by and-for the sailors believe thai
tho nero sound of the bells has power to subdue
the storms for which the Levant 10 30 much
dreaded. Loretto was founded by Pope SlXtuS
9Th, and is built on hill which overlooks the Wa
ter. Round the great square are seen the APos
toical palace, the palace of the Bishop, and that
of the Governor, with the grand centre OF attrac-
ton, the principal church, which contains the fa
NOUS Santissama Casa, or Most Holy House oil
our Lady, the Virgin Mary.
Strange as it may seem, it is believed by mil
lions in Italy, that the identical house in which
was the residence of the family of Jesus Christ III
Nazareth, was removed by a miracle in the night,
in the wear 1894, to save 1t from the hands OF The
Turks. 1t was first carried to another country,
it is said, through mistake made by the angels
who had it in charge: but, the mistake being dis
covered when daylight came, 1t was taken to Lo
retto with but little loss of time. The great church
was built round it, at great expense and with
many ornaments in sculpture, &c. with the sur,
plus money bestowed on the Casa, by the innu-
merable pilgrims from all parts of Italy and other
countries
The Santissima Casa is single square room
291 French feet in length within, l3 wide, and
Is in hight. 1t was originally, 1t is said, built
of bricks, which are entirely concealed in casing
of marble, filled with bas-releis representing
scenes in the life of the navy. Others are repre-
scented on the four doors, which are of bronze
The top is grand cupola, designed Qike the pub
lie fountain, the church, and almost every other
edi6ce in the city, by Bramerite. The painting
is by Pomeranzo. Inscriptions on the church
wall record the pretended miracle, and It's date,
in French, Spanish, English, Polish, German,
Breton, Illyrian, Greek and Arabic. The marble
door of the Casa was deeply worn, seventy years
ago, by the knees of pilgrims, whose custom is
10 make the circuit Of It on their knees, repeat
some of the numerous prayers that have been COM
posed to the Virgin Mary, and published by au-
thority.
In the centre is an altar, where mass Is SAID,
and near it the sanctuary, IN which is deposited
statue of tho Virgin, thIty.thrse inches higN,
made of cedar, aud visible, by the glare of many
burning lamps. through silver grating. Turn
ing from the dazzling sight TO the walls Of the
room, they are seen lined with grand display q.
silver lamps, left as offerings by the wealthy dc
voices Of different countries.
The crowns of the Virgin and of the Infant
Savior in her arms, were presented by Louis 18th,
King of France, when he prayed for an heir 10
his throne, and contained no less than three thou
sand and three hundred precious stones of differ
emit sizes and value. Emperors. kings, princes
and cardinals. and none of inferior dignity, have
boen allowed the honor of furnishing the belt, col
lar, diamond crosses, globe, and chains of gold,
pearls and diamonds which adorn The two images.
Persons of less distinction have covered the base
with diamonds, while the niche in which they are
placed is lined with plates Of gold OF eighteen
pounds weight. the exterior of the niche Is
covered with lapis lazult and gold, and large
niche encloses the whole, made of silver, weigh
ing 81 pounds and 10 ounces.
Among the 81 lamps kept burning before this
object of worship are several gllttering with pre-
cious stones, and one OF gold, weighing thirty
seven pounds, presented by the Republic of We
nice in time of pestlence. One of the silver
lamps weighs 6ty pounds. Beside these are
multitude of silver lamps, placed in the church
for want Of room. For other particulars see
books printed IN Loretto, containing details, of
which we have not time to speak, with long lists
of the names of donors. One name, however,
might be mendoncd-that of Mary, Queen of
Scots, who made the Virgin a present OF golden
sugel, covered with diamonds, holding up lam