New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-18
CARNIVAL AND LENT At ROME.
From Our Own Correspondent
ROME, Thursday, jan -, 1856.

L
toward the present, the devotion of the Madonna
The one type is grand but sad, pcrtrayins her both
the Juno and the Niobe OF nations; the ether Is
virginia., devout, maternal, portrsyiDg Rome the
Immaculate Mother Of the Charch and iss Apos-
ties. This double visaged head ovcrfsoks tho
world. Travellers and strangers scarcely neec sp-
preach the Eternal City to learn its true exprsssion-
Its lnearents are traced on every page Of history.
But lower down around It's plnth and pedestal,
aud coiling up the column which supports the sa-
cred alus Of the proud ubis n orbs are carved Gu
rious basreliefs which interest the close nspe,ss
tor, ard whose description perhaps may arsose far
off readers. They just such familiar sccnex
as your devoted friend witnesses every day from
her windows in her own apartments in her walks
and rides within and without the walls, and il tho
various religious and civil ceremonies Of which
Rome is so prolific. They illustrate the evsry-
day detailed existence of her whose image towers
high in the souvenirs OF us all. They are tho
yaletJe. .chambre condolences and gossips Of no
worlds heroine and abandoned mistress. TAs'
customs of q people are the tattlers OF its spinN
so trifes are not insignificant in such relations
and first impressions, though superficial and pes
haps erroneous, have still their value.
Rome is worth knowing even little or in all
her aspects. Her daily manifestations are uHiQues
she is every inch herself in all her walks Her
life, lethargy, play, prayer, piety. profanity, are
all individual. All her church ceremonies and
fetes have the stamp of the master maker. Her
Christmas is her own; so is her Epiphany. To
us Santa Claus brings presents on the former fes-
tval; in Paris it is the Petit Jesus who sends hs
souvenirs; here the Befana another genial patron.
comes into little stockings and pockets not at
Christmas Eve, but on Twelfth Night. tn
evening before this last of the Christmas days tbs
Place st. Eustache is the thester Of the Befana
trade. All the toys and footing things which timo
has vet invented are here exposed for sale. 1t 10
ST. Cloud fete, with all it's length and vigor con-
centrated into single evening For succeeding
days every baby, boy, and little human thing that
has breath, tunes his trumpets, and Whistles aud
drums and castanets; jingles, thrums and nngies
BY turns-blowing from his pulled out cheeks a.
many pipes at once as his rosy lips Will hold, say.
ing all ever in his glee: See how glad am that
am alive" Rome for days is perpetual merry
squeak. Drums are pounded, tamborines pelted.
noise pulled from every ything Ii is q saturnalie
of tottDg, cippedwinged loves-a carnival led
by the Befana and Bambin0. l stopped often to
pet and prattle with these charming, saucy little
tots who saluted NE everywhere in the streets
These little Romans are joyful and good natured
in expression, and have habit Of goggng genislly
at you when kindly noticed, never dreaming OF
defiance by putting their thumbs at their noses, or
of attempting to frighten you with their snap
finger cannons, as Yankee children often do. One
tiny fellow the other day, with his nose half
buried in soft white cheese, and his cheeks gilded
over with warm yellow johnny cake, poured mo
out Hearty recognizing laugh for squick funny
grmsce | gave him in passing. He was old
enough TO walk, but not too young to appreciate
our mutual fun. never saw youngings 90 know
ing and hearty in their innocence as these. Their
countenances reflect their sunny souls as lovingly
too, as ever did the sea Loves mother whom she
bore The type of Raphaels infant angels 10 often
found in their graceful movements, elegant features
and rich brown faces.
All the Christmas days here, as everywhere, aeo
fetes for children, but the BambinO gives them -:
ditional importance in Rome. The Bambino 10
really the infant Savior whose birth to the wortd
of, red the first natal festival, and whose infancy
still presides as patron Of tender youth. "a
church near the Capitol is an image OF the IAN
bino, held in great veneration by the Church. Ii s
very antique, and like many other images now
consecrated, is supposed to have been ozce
heather god; now its appearance Is that Of
brioht.painted doll, covered with the oostliest
gems. During the Christmas holidays it is exposed
to public veneration in one Of the chapeh Of It's
church, surrounded by appropriate scenery, with
Mary, Joseph, shepherds and angel: In attendance:
The BambiDO is graciously fruitful in miracles aak
works of healing. He is often carried to the sek,
and is the last hope which precedes the extrsOie
JUNCTION. The Prince Corsini, lately deceased. re-
ceiyed the grace 0f'its presence IN his lass mo-
mtnts. The Bsmbino s especially the Diyipity Of
infant offspring. The Epiphany 10 the last day of
its public exhibition. Then it is carried out ffy
the church. and from the lofty steps in front ef Il
the Bambino blesses the people. During the days
of it's exposition small children take thej'. turns
| as preachers in its presence. They mount A
tribune, and from il recte with great uncton ser-
mons taught them for the occasion This preso-
cious priesthood is reward Of merit 10 obed;ent
pupils and wel-behayed childr> n Ibid not bannen
to vitt the churen a. sme 90 profit by this infan
ine edhylng out am ass" led that great praise, in
deeo, lssaes to. pN ,~c' babes in preaching. In
another ch9rcp OF ~ Jne parts of the true manger
and bits of its hs' are nreserved na sacred reiics
ana e9biei,eo & Christmas TO inspire the faith Of
the iaitbiuL confirming every day by their miracu-
ioas pre- ervatiOn the maxim "What was In the
lining is now and ever shall be- world with
" out end"
On the 18th Of January is perpetuated another
4 OF those curious customs common to Catholic
1 countries. 1t is the Fete Of st. Anthony the
patron Of anirna,.. In Rome all Christian horses
sn4 donseys receive his benedicuoS during the oc-
tave Of the ete. The Sunday after the 18th is the
| grsndest day. Then the aristocratc beasts are
blessed. The Pope sends his horses, and all the
Princes and Grand-seigniors follow suit. This
year it was q miserable, rainy, tempestuou Day;
yet multitudes Of people gathered about the little
church of st. Anthony, just beyond the Place oil
Santa Maria Maggiere, to see the deyout donkeys
and horses claim their blessings. These pilgrims
had their tails twisted round with ribbons for y
few inches from their bodies; some hsd jaunty ro
settes fastened over their hips; all wore feathers
on their beads and bows in their names, and were
ridden without saddles BY wiee.awake- hated ana
short clothed groOms The animals halted before
small door Of the church, where priest stood
with brush to sprinkle holy water over them.
Some ntighed, some brsyed, some stood silent,