The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-07-27
OF RAISING THE ODE
LISK AT ROME.

After the proposal and adoption of an in
finite variety Of plans for its erection, the tri-
al OF which had caused an enormous outlay
| TO the government and always resulted in
failure. (says Mrs. Butler in her Year OF
Consolation, } the Pope, Sixtus ", at leng; h
declared, that il another scheme for the pur
pose was unsuccessfully attempted, The arch
itect VINO furnished it should be put to
death. This determination on the part Of his
Holiness naturally put stop. at least for a
time, TO the suggestion Of new experiments.
AT Length. however, an engineer more sure
of his plan. or less afraid Of death than his
pre- lecrssors, presente himself 10 the Pope.
and laid scheme before him for the erection
Of the obelsk. His Holiness looked over the
proposal, and admitted that it appeared to
promise admirably well, but at the same
time observed that the carrying it into eE
feet would cost an enormous sum Of money,
And reminded him Of the penalty affixed TO
failure. The architect, Fontaua. agreed TO
run the risk. provided only that His Holiness
would publish command, that during the
process Of raising the monument, the most
perfect silence should be observed among
the workmen and assistants stating that the
main causes OF the failures OF all his predeces-
SOIS WCIC TIC COutiucu OutCTleS, eN-
CARNATIONS and execrstions OF the multitude
engaged in the wo,k or standing ~. The
Pope Immediately consented to this condi.
ton. aud on the appointed day, having caus-
ed four gailows TO be erected at the four cor
ners of the great place of ST. Peters, and
proclaimed that the first person who was
heard TO speak aloud should forthwith be
hung, the experiment welt forward in pres
ence Of his Holiness, his whole conri, and
an innumerable assemhlage Of people, who.
in. wholesome terror Of the gibbets. preserved
an universal silence. With infinite trouble,
labor and anxiety. the great Egyptian needle
was at length raised from horizontal to
perpendicular position. No reclamation hail
ed the success Of the undertaking Thus
far, il still remained 10 raise the vast mass
from the e1rth TO level with its PEDESTAL
by far the most arduous part of tho task
intense anxiety was depicted on the upturned
and eager faces OF the breathIess multitude
The obelisk was slowly raised, till, when its
base was within haitian inch the top OF the
pedestal, the ropes by which it was being
drawn up became so tense with the enor-
nous weight, that they were seen 10 smoke
another moment and the enor Gus mass
would have talen from their support. The
wretched Fontaua, sweating blood, saw the |
catastrophe of his all but success
full attempt suddenly one Of the workmen |
cried aloud, 'Acqua' The crowd rushed to |
the fountains, the saving element was DASH
ed over the strained and frightened ropes, the
final haul was given, and the obelisk was
lodged on its pedestal, when one universal
shout. that rent the sky. broke forth and
nailed the accomplishment. The Pope.
commanding silence again. called
before him the ariizan who, in spite Of his
had ventnred to speak. The
'oor fellow acknowledged himself worth, Of
leaih for having spoken, but pleaded that
he salvation Of the obelisk deserved some re-
vaid. The Pope allowed the jdsiness of
he claim, and gave his fortified life, adding
raciousIy, permission to choose any boon he
night name for the service he had re ndered.
The man besought for himself and family the
of the sale of palm-braDches on
aim Sunday, in the Square OF St. Peters :;
nd to this day his descendants exercise thai
-affic. and derive from it very considerable 1
ro6t.