The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-12
ROME, March %, 1853.

ROME, MdTch 70, 1898.
Nv DEAR L. C: The ceremonies of
Thursday are perhaps, the most attractive of
III in Holv Week. On that day the Pope
Washes the feet of the Apostles, and waits upon
them at table. As there is little interval be-
t,yeen these ceremonies, the first of which takes
nlace in st. Peters, and the last in the hall
above the portico, we thought it not advisable
70 try to witness both; but, having heard that
tho latter was the most of a sight took stand
| IN the Sala Regia, through which the apart
mant where the dinner is served is entered. AS
va were accompanied by one of the Mon
sonora friend of Mr.. and Mrs. H,
whose party | have been so happy as to join
Gar these Holy Week ceremonies, we were early
nsssfd by the line of guards, and given IA
roraNe position near the door. But here we
ware obliged to wait full hour during the
last half of which we were in danger of being
crushed to death by the well.dressed mob be-
hind. It was an awful experience, | assure
YOU From the elevation where we Stood look
jng backward and downward into the black
vortex of the crowd the scene was absolutely
appalling Even as was situated, on the outer
edge of the boiling gulf, felt myself surged
against by the tempestuous human torrent,
and but for the strong arm and resolute will
Of my friend, Mr.. H, should have been
overwhelmed As it was, my shoulders and
SIDES were battered and bruised by complete
assortment of foreign elbows and my feet trod-
den on by feet of every nation in Europe Even
in me to laugh, occasionally, in wild, hysteri-
cal way to be sure, and to mark certain Curl
Ous features, incidents and accidents, of the
IA 10 4 L.
Propagandst College, to hear the expostula-
tons, threats entreates, and desperate witt
cisms, in all languages-it was fine study OF
national characteristics to watch the rush and
struggle, the attacks and repulses of the crowd.
The French charged with the greatest impetu-
osity, bat the English stood their ground the
most sturdily the Russians were the most i'm
perous the Germans the most brutal, the YAM
KEGS the most coolly impudcnt and resolutely
goaheadative; while the Italians gave way on
all Sides whether from politeness. disgust, or
Owardice it were difficult to say. During the
height of the crush, one of the Pope's chamber
hns came forcing his way through the crowd,
riering us to let pass his party Borne down
bS his grand costume and ferocious moustache,
We allowed him to drag by us no less than six
aides but when the seventh appeared, on the
arm of a stout German with nasty imperial,
we closed our ranks and boldly opposed their
passage. Oh, then to behold the rage of the
stout German, who wore star ON his breast,
and was evidently somebody, somewhere. He
abused Mr.. H in half dozen languages,
all more or less gutturally intoned, and re-
reiyed in reply smile of placid contempt
He then called upon the Swiss Guard to come
his aid - imperiously frantically - but of
Fourse vainly whereupon ! had the te-
herity to turn and laugh in his face; for which
pct Of insolence received what took to be
Oue sort of damning in Deutch, and a sue
eson OF prodigious digs of the elbow in the
ght side. Though made no cutlery sup
o'e ! must have paled under the infection, for
be lady on my enemy's arm actually held her
magnetic to my nose excaiming, Etes vous
tnid6lement malGde, ,aaddme?p "Om,n re-
lied, morielement malads--MonSieur Uotre
flri me tueo
While we stood there the Pope passed. going
solemn procession from the Sistine to the
auline chapel, bearing the Holy Sacrament :;
ben came the crush of crushes as the outer
relies OF the crowd borne back by the guard
ere forced in heavy, dense, sitting mass
pom US. Such strangely intimate relations as
ere suddenly entered upon then-such invol-
nary embracings-such momentary naesotH-
pcs Tor mutual protection-such fraternizing
"oog natural enemies. And when, soon after,
De doors were thrown open, and the awful
nal rush was made, what'a trampling on and
ending OF dresses-what crushing of hats
nat wrenching apart Of locked arms--what
iaiIng up stairs, and running and calling
a' @rambling and contendng! Young gen.
emen bore off fragments of lace wells, like
"etokens hutterng at their buttons; and
ave an indistinct recollection Of hearing q
nmlne shrick and of seeing an instant after,
gallant young English Guardsman dash for
ara with torn lock of fair hair entangled
bis epaulette.
nc aPostohc sale d manger is o handsome
wong room. and on this occasion was richly
corated-aitogether about "a different as
sole, should say from that upper cham
IN which Christ waited upon his disciples.
table stood on raised platform-it was
'ered with gay dishes monstrous gilt vases.
% mammoth bouquets-making it look for
'he world like stage banqueting board
Dte every seat was q gilt statuette of an
pNte, bearing some distinguishing insignia
Ps,e the table was large platform, appro-
"ea TO ladies'; above that, the royal box.
e'e Nat the King Of Bavaria, and batch az
llce' and princesees. Between the two Plat
m' was sort of Pit--the general standing
~ the gentlemen. Only the tallest OF
80 ~h'nd the first rank could see ANYTHING
,luehtly, the rush and struggle for the
"a must positions were tremendous Securely
reasantiy situated as | was, watched
~ more more amusement than apprehension. this
'oh OF rampant curiosity in the lordIv
ana was not little startled to nee a younc
near me bursting into tears ut the siobt'
my Questioning her as to her affliction She
aimed, Al mon Dieuy mon MIR; %, IN
} "a n.a the 81 ! assured her that there
: but She ,aT fn'sst danger Of such calami-
Ew qm a doi P"sa, yPardOn--il pn Mon
kkinr in tI1 Az Perdu Ia eonnoissance - and,
|aur6t q % 49,; direction in which she pointed,
} wed lin, snIise OF very white face, with
| rgnr erow a'I &c closed eyes, tossed up by the
+ the w,yo" ~ IKE The lace Of a drowned man
tabe a, VI boiling sea. We had COM
rom , Io OF room, and plenty. Of fresh
no 'ge open window behind us--there
, Er, revocation, not even decent excuse
les m"s --yGt couple of susceptible young
} " n'.h uaged u get up sensation in that
fs,n. ""ls out OF sympathy for the poor, in
/ btb., -, "an-PcrhatS because belong
.,n aa' class OF delicate females with who,s
rn, nap Is chronic afilicton-almost a
No, .soa.ds'ton-but who do not, for that
TIES w.. "' crowds-by no means About one
snhered several elderly ladies, Offering
; boI;' suggestions, keeping of the air,
psmen,s. anything but unhappy at the little
Ir excitement; to tho succor Of the
" :" mhfaire' was summoned, who, in
9 as , 'smose her was obliged to lift her
IN ,au'ng. Twas amused to see her re-
@ b,r %s % adjust her dress very properly
A ~ ,eef, a. she went over
en,ash with considerable rather unapos-
Med ;n,6 The thirteen banqustsrs were mar
2 &rn ~ 'ne chamber, and ranged ON the
'''''s the table They were dressed