The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-02
Our italian correspondence.

ROME, May 30, 1850.
Religious Communicable Pope's Part IN Them
Laniont for the BeaG-Bhss,ng the French Troops
-Pyesoipti0n-The Presfs Of the Propaganda
and Mr.. Cass-Dcstitutton an Remembering
Of an american Lady pith Count EdngipdH-
Austrian Poicer, &c.
Since the return of the Pope, solemnities and
religious ceremonies have engaged all attention.
The splendid displays of the Romish Church, with
its pomp and unparalleled magnihcence, have
eclipsed the usual sights and spcctacles Of the
Eternal City, and the stranger traveller, who comes
to Rome haunted with bright dreams of the past,
and brighter visions Of the future, hears no longer
of arts and monuments, and ruins but of churches,
and converts, and cathedrals. We have priestly
professions all day, and priestly professions all
night. Ii falls strangely upon the ear, TO hear at
midnight, or later still, when every other sound is
hushed, the full, heavy tramp Of the bare-footed
Fmnciscans, returning from midnight prisons TO
their silent cells or strangely still, the low
chant Of the gentle monks Of the order Of - Mag.
dalena; and looking down from your window, to
zee long line Of cloaked and cowed figures pass
ing from one shrine TO another, each carrying IN
his hand Il lighted torch, which filings a glaslly
light upon their wan and maceraied features.
Every religious order, from the young mobiles Of
The Jesu, TO the poor and beggared Dorninlcans,
Heaven, on the Caplioline, in dcvout gratitude for
the return Of the Holy Father-and such hetcro-
gcneous gear never have seen before. Luther
WIS not smiss, thought, when he said, 1.-The
church Of the scarlet woman resembleth mighty
net, which holdcih all manner Of things"
IN returning tc dcpDls, the Pope has himself OF
iiciHted on several occasions recently. The last
service Of this character in which he thHs particle
patsd. took place in the Church Of ST. John of Je-
Iusalem, and II wi not soon be forgotten by those
who saw it. This church was founded BY the
knights Of ST. John, those stern wairior-monks, OF
eastern renovn, and enriched by the ransom Of
their cap'iyos. All Of its wealth was produced on
this high occasion; and the ransom Of half Of the
kings OF Europe would not equal IT, To Ju ige cor
r.cily Of the riches OF the Catholic clergy, one
must witness scene like this, remembering, the
while, that this is by no means the wealihiest OF
the four hundred and twenty churches that stand
within the walls Of Rome. All the ecclesiastical
dignitaries, es well the high officers OF state,
civil and military, present on this OCCASION
the cardinals, in their purple robes The bishops IN
their flowing manelcttas and the friars, in their
coarse brown serge. The ceremony procee ded.
accompanied by the pealng Of the organ, the waiy-
ing Of censors, and the chanting OF the t9angi !;
and when the bell was struck, and the multitude
Frustrated themselves before the elevated Host,
there was presented TO the eye that strange and
picturesque juxispositon Of plumcs and crosses,
mitres and swords, prncely apparel and beggary
rags, only to be in the throngs that bend be-
fore Catholic altar. Last night, was so fortu-
nate as to get admission into the Convent Of the
the Dead" which is chanted only once IN every
nine years. II is sung by nuns and sure ana
/ that anything sadder, more oyerPowerine, than
their tones Of despairing angush, has seldom been
heard on this earth before. To hear IL is event
in ones life but have no wish 10 be present
a second time, for every accent OF pain and
wo was there. The long thrilling notes, pro,
longed almost beyond mortal power, seemed
more like the wailings Of lost spirits than uerance
ffom human Lips. Heads were bowed down TO the
cold marble floor, and from all eyes--eyes that mao
been sealed for long yesrs-old and young, men'
women, and children, right and let, ana every
where-teers were pouring down luxe ram anu "
the low pauses Of the refrain were heard SOUS ana
eonvulsive breathings, and long drawn sghs, as "
hearts were breaking in agony. The renowned
pts,yge of the Sistipe Chapel, IN II Petere which
has heen called the eighth wonder OF the world,
and viii, n has given me the heartache for many
long day. does not move the heurt and soul like
This sad dirge have no wish 10 hear II again.
A .bort time since, on the piazza OF ~. Peters,
at the hour Of sunset, Of fine spring day, the Pope
bestowed his blessing upon the French troops. The
whole army--sosais AID vdfdieie-came upon the
ground in fighting order, the infantry with fixed
bay oneis, the artillery with their heavy guns, aud
the Dragons with their horees Whrp the Pope
made hie appearance in the balcony, in front OF the
church, the word Of command. by the commanding
General, was given to kneel, and 5000 men, as
one man. eapk TO the ground. With outsiretched
sIne thai old man pronounced upon them blea'N
ing and, again, az the word, they rose to their
feet with the precision Of q machine. IL was
scene 10 lay awey IN meroory, 70 be recabed IN
afley DAYS.