Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-11-07
Letters from Abroad. No. xxi,
RoAaE, January 1874.

1OhaEs january 1874
The morning after our arrival, New-Years morn,
High Mass was to be celebrated in the Sistene
chapel, and the Pope would assist. At an early
hour, therefore, we drove to the Vatican the palace
of his holiness and found our way to the entrance
Of this his private chapel. We had been told that
ladies would not be admitted with bonnets, but
must dress in black, with black veil upon the
head; in this respect must say highly approve
the Popes tastes for think it an exceedingly pref
ty and becoming costume. Gentlemen too must 60
in ordinary full dress, and so particular were they
IN this resyect, that the Major was refused admit
lance because he had on frock coat ,.and was OBJ
iged to return to the Hotel mile distant to change
1t for adress coat We were somewhat in advance
Of the time. and were obliged to stand long time
waiting. By the IT, ne they were ready to admit US
we had made the acquaintance Of family whom
we had dsvsaed to be Americans, and with whom
we had subsequently, delightful intercourse. The
heavy curtain was At length held aside for the nu-
merous assemblage to enter. A file OF halberdiers,
Swiss soldiers, habited like harlequins, preceded
as. They wore a dress Of red, yellow and blue
stripes, consisting OF douhlet with slashed sleeves
loose short breeches Of the same, small low crown
ed black hat ralled up side with ared feath-
er like the name Of a horse extending from the
'front.' to the back, ruff round the neck composed
Of four Auted rufes, white stockings, with buckles
both at the knee and shoes, broad yellow band
yer the shoulder, towhch was attached glittering
sword, with white gloves. completed this unique
and yet pretty costume. A long pole with halberds
at the end was carried upright. As soon they
had taken their proper stations within the master
at arms held aside the curtains and the ladies
very ungallantly stationed in the rear and obliged
to look through gided grating. while the gentle
men were admitted within the pale and had very
good seats on the inside.
Twas 60 much occupied with gazing at the as
semblage and the ceremonies, that can give no
description Of the chapel that 1t contains some
6ne ftescoes by the great naster Michael Angelo,
much injured however by age and humidity. The
altar piece. the last Judgment also by him. The
high altar is richly draped with crimson velvet
with trimmings of gold and before it were six i'm
mense golden candiestieks, in which were burning
wax lights near six feet high. On one side was
rich square canopy Of crimson velvet embroidered
with gold. and the canopy to the ground the same
rich velvet; over this latter, but not to
eeal it altogether was hung white silk embroidered
with gold figures, and this last covered and fell
yer the large chair placed under the canopy on a
platform raised some Eve or six steps; this the
throne Of his Holiness who had not yet arrived.
The Cardinals now began to arrive by the same
door we had entered, passing by where we were
seated. II is said taking them as a body they are
most learned society in the world they number in
all seventy, the same in number as the elders cho-
sen by Moses for his grand council during rebel
lion in the wilderness well as Of the Jewish San
hedrim. One Of the Cardinals, Mezzofouter, thCayh
not yet an old man is perfect master Of forty differ
ent languages. AT this ceremony there were pres
ent about forty they we're dressed in robes Of GRIM
son silk, lined with parple. with trains should
udge Eve yards in length. Ca their shoulders
were hoods lined with ermine that came round in
'front.' like cape; about their heads were bands Of
the richest lace with sleeves and ruffles Of the
same and On their heads small red silk caps fitting
The scalp very closely These did not enter in a
body, but singiycr two at a time, each with body
guard Of The clergy those who preceded them wore
black silk gowns, black cooked hats ornamensed
with feather Singe. rich lace bands, broad massive
chains of gold suspended round their neckssand
swords at their sides. -Four q these preceded
each Cardinal while sstS behind bore ~ train.
These last were dressed Il robe and cassock q roy
a purpse SIX. iasienea With small bottons from
The meek = the feet dcnn tie 'front.' and On their
heais snail biSelE silk caps Each Cardinal ~ be
@Sntersa Ensal n ne esnses u tbs chapel; thoss
mo ~ slssaay entered aad taken lhait seats rose
sana renaissa st.ndins til be had performed his
aevelians, when after making reverence to them
and they to him. he took his seat. and they resum'
Cd theiEs, and this was repeated on every new ar
rival till all had entered. The last one was accom-
panied BY guard Of about dozen soldiers in ricf
scarlet uniforms and cooked hats These we were
told were all young italian ncbles. AT last came
the Pope himself. entering BY private door at tn
opposite end Of the chapel on the platform Of tn
High Altar. He was preceded by long process
sion Of priests; wore long robe Of white silk pro
fusely embroidered with gold. and crowned will
che golden mitre. Three priests officiating at tn
altar wore white robes almost covered with gol.
ornaments and embroidery; and the one perform
Ing mass wore silver mitre. Thechoir was com
posed Of priests, no female voices. and the must
was exuuisite-I think have rarely If ever hear
IL. sxeslled. The services consisted chiefly i
y