The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-06-24

N0tcS from ABROAD, by mrs. J. u. b..
tt RoME, April =, ls47.
sent you long account of the Holy Week.
1t was such large package that did not like
sending it by post l, therefore, Fgave 1t to a
courier, who said he would deliver it to YOU
What has struck me the most, and SEEM
ed the most laughable and most ridicu-
lous, was the ceremony OF ascending the
Scala Santa, or Holy Staircase. went there
on Good Friday, which was, as | have
understood since, the best day to see 1t to
perfection. I had heard and read OF 1t very Of
ten; but had no conception Of the extent OF absur-
div to which it is carried. The Holy Staircase is
composed of eight-and-twenty steps, and said to
be the identical stairs on which our Saviour trod
on coming down from the judgment seat 1t be-
longed to the house of Pontius Plate. This
staircase cannot be mounted but on the knees.
Some 90 up three or four times in this manner.
went up one of the side staircases, and stood
on the top of the Holy Staircase, to have good
view of the faithful. There they came, shut
fling slowly along, nearly hundred on the stairs
at one time. At the top of the stairs there is
wooden figure on crucihx, and large plate
underneath to receive the offerings OF the faith
full and this figure was fixed SO unsteadily that
whenever they kissed it too hard, 1t would tip
over and put out of the lights at either
side. But there was a man there watching
eagerly the money plate, and quietly ar
ranging the figure after it was knocked
over. Some kissed every step as they went
along. There were three handsome young
men with moustaches, crawling up; together
with pretty young girls, many old women
and old men, and large number OF little
boys. They would joste each other, and make
q great rush TO obtain the first kiss. The most
delicate took out their pocket handkerchlefs, ana
wiped II before they put their lips to 1t. They
kissed every part of it, and none kissed so lightly
that it did not fall over. The little boys and
girls thought it great amusement, and contrlved
to annoy every body, particularly ladies with
fine dresses These little imps would 60 up and
down half a dozen times before others had been
once.
On the summit is a chapel, which they all peep
into for about half an hour. 1t is said to be full
of relics Here saw them kiss the keyhole,
the hinges, and everything about the door, over
and over again, and then kneel down before 1t.
But I cannot really enumerate all the places they
kissed. There is also little altar there, where,
if they pay a certain sum, souls will be released
from purgatory-and you will sometimes see the
applicant endeavoring TO make good bargain.
l took Eliza with me, and she went up, OF
course. She thinks she is, in consequence, alb
solved from many sins. Master James, too,
mounted it, kissed every step, and reached the
summit before any of them. The next saw of
him, he was quite busy kissing the figure, while
half dozen were waiting very patiently until
he had finished. He says he will be Catholic,
and that need not try to make him Protestant.
1t was altogether the most ridiculous sight
ever witnessed. The little boys seemed to en-
10Y it more than all. You recollect the English
gentleman we met last summer on the Rhine.
He assembled it twice, marvellously well, and
kissed the figure to perfection. To-day the
priests go round to every house, and bless them.
expect every moment visit from them. They
also have bambino, which they carry in great
state to the house of a sick person. If 1t turns
red, the person will recover; If not, death en-
sues In great many cases, the fright of see
ing it kills the individual, especially if Of ner-
vous temperament If the sick person survive
the fright, they attribute it to the bambino, for
they firmly believe in it. Sometimes the doctors
have to insist against its entrance. A large pro-
cession invariably attends it. Tomorrow night
the splendid fireworks take place.
find in Rome that the present Pope is the
most liberal they have had for centuries. He is
beloved by his people, and, indeed, by all
Europe.