The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-05-01
MISCELLANEOUS.
Che Dope in his coach AND tn his
8aIdcf.

1t was the fiesta of the Annunciation.-
Hearing that the Pope would 90 in state from
the Vatican TO the church of Santa Maria
Sopra Minerva, rare occurrence, we deter
mined to witness the scene. As the Vatican
joins st. Peters and nearly all the great GER
emonies of the church in which the Pope
takes part, are performed in that immense
Cathedral, it is seldom that he has occasion
to use his State Church. AS we approached
the street where the church of Santa Maria
is situated, the immense crowd the gorgeous
equipages, and the soldiers stationed every
where, flor the Pope does not belong to the
Peace Society," gave notice that his holiness
was within. We gained an entrance to the
church, which was decorated with hangings
of crimson and gold, and found that the SER
vice of High Mass was going on, at which
the Pope presided. All | could see of this
august parsonage was mass of white satin
and a nose like the tower of Damascus. On
a nearer scrutiny found that the robes of
satin were richly embroidered with gold. and
the mitre and front of the dress gllstened with
gems. The Cardinals acted as his aids, ia
king off and putting on his mitre and gloves
which is repeated as often as the Gloria Patri
occurs in the mass. A little white cap cover
ed his shorn head or what anti-papists call
"the mark of the beast"
Two files of Swiss guards extended the
whole length of the chapel. Their dress,
which was fancy of Michael Angelo, is re-
markable. 1t consists of stripes of prati-col-
ored cloth joined together, like so many rain
bows, black hats decorated with red worsted
plumes, wide white ruffie around the neck,
and they hold long pixies or spears in their
hands.
Mass being ended, these soldiers formed a
semi-circle from high altar to a side chapel,
from which procession of nuns robed in
white, with wells brought across the mouth
the rest of the face being exposed. They
had crowns of flowers and tinsel on their
heads, and each held lighted taper. Like
ghosts they glided slowly along the church to
the Pope, before whom they knelt and kissed
: his foot. He gave to each purse contain
: ing dowry of thirty piastres and they then
returned to the chapel whence they came.
: The Pope was now lifted into his crim>
f son velvet chair, which is richly gilded,
and has the arm, the mitre and keys en-
T broidered in gold on the back. Two
: large fans of ostrich feathers, with the
eyes of peacock's feathers on the end of
5 each. and ten feet long, were placed like
, covering over his head, and he was
borne by twelve men in liveries of crimson
l embossed velvet, through the church,
d blessing the people, and devoutly closing
] his eyes while making the sign of the
n cross. The immense crowd closed inland
as we happened 10 be in the tide, it was
s with the utmost exertion we succeeded in
q getting back into the church. The nuns
s were in side chapel laughing and talk
e ing while the service was going on at
, most of the smaller affairs. We left by
4 another door, and driving with all haste
: arrived at a large open court, where the
Y procession was to pass, The bells of the
4 city were all ringing, and there was a
continual roar of cannon. A military
] band passed by, playing as loud as they
. possibly could,-then an officer on horse
s back, with his head uncovered-tben a
$ body of cavalry, and another band, foil.
: owed by the guards noblia, or PopeS
e guard, composed entirely ofnobes. Next
g came horseman in red embossed velvet
D with his head uncovered, bearing the in.
sigma of Religion.
s Suddenly, every hat in the assembly
3 disappeared. Plumes were seen nodding
e on the heads of six superb black horses
f with scarlet and trappings, guided by two
e Positions also in red velvet liveries. These
drew the stage coach. 1t was of ponder.
Gus dimensions, and entirely gilded. wheel
body and all except the top, which was
covered with scarlet velvet--the mitre
and keys were on the back in bold relief.
Inside. reclining in the chair in which he
was borne from the church wrapped in a
n scarlet cloak and broad brimmed hat, sat
E the selfs:yled representative of the Prince
of Peace on earth. He raised his two
fingers, on one of which sparkled SUI
. perb diamond ring. and made the sign of
n the cross, blessing the crowd, as the coach
e moved slowly along. Two cardinals in
purple sat opposite TO him.
Next came the stage coaches of the
cardinals,no less gorgeous than the Pope's
except that in theirs the scarlet predomin
: ated over the gold. Many had four and
l. six horses, and eight and twelve servant:
! in sumptuous liveries. Then followed
= the eqnlpages less gaudy and more beauti
ful. Some of them had the most exquis'
n lite miniature paintings and enameled pic
y lures on their sides. The music, ringing
+ of bells and din of cannon continued til
r Pope returned to the Vatican. The ex
t queen of Sardinia, in her carriage, with
red and silver liveries, and Many Other
n grandees were seen driving about the
: streets after the procession had dispers.
e persed.
. The Pope had been pleased to appoint
the afternoon for our presentation, which
was communicated to us by the Consul
J. As lady was of the party, the etiquette
of dress was not as strict, as the Pope is
J. totally Indifferent TO the fair sex. The
gentlemen were told to wear black suits
and no gloves, as they are not permitted
in the presence of his Holiness, and | as
!. dark dress as possible, and black veil
!. over my head.
v The immense size of the Vatican and