Thibodaux minerva., 1856-03-15
Familiar Letters from Europe.
NUMBER NINE.

beautiful, grand st. Peters. Indeed, it would
require a little volume to describe it accurately,
and 6 i've you some idea of its splendor and mag
niticencc. Notwithstanding its immense size, you
cannot become aware of its dimensions until you
have gone over it, Or perhaps visited it several
times. At first glance it appears more like
mass of buildings than one mighty structure, though
its proportions are perfect and the whole archi-
lecture is very fine. With the many fine paintings
statuary nnumerable shrines and other gorgeous
decorations there are so many attractions that
imagine there can be very little heart worship here
The lips would move, but the mind would be ever
wandering, and the eye gazing at the surrounding
splendor.
The baldacchine or grand canopy is situated
Immediately beneath the dome, and isall of bronze.
Beneath this is the shrine of St. Peter surrounded
by balustrade, from which it is suspended one
hundred and twelve lamps, kept burning night aud
day. Near the entrance of the church is statue
Of st. Peter seated in a chair, elevated against
column ,one foot extended, holding key in his hand.
Everyone Catholics pays particular Difference
to this saint, kissing the big toe and bending the
head in much humility, even should they 60 in
twenty times day. This being particular object
Of worship, millions going through the same form,
it has been obliged to be refooted once or twice,
and is now worn perfectly smooth. This statue
was originally an old one Of Jupiter, and suddenly
transformed into saint by the magic powers Of
the Pope.
Canova has many fine statues here, or rather
they were originally. They have all been ruined
by an additional drapery of painted tin, thus de-
stroying all their grace and beauty, lest it should
shock the modesty Of the present Pope.
The dome is the great attraction Of this building
and is truly wonderful in its grand, sublime mag
nifcence. One becomes almost bewildered and
dazzled in gazing at the splendor Of the rich mo-
saics, other beautiful decorations and its immense
size. Never can erase the impression made upon
my mind-no, l feel that l shall ever remember
ST. Peters and its beauties.
The height of the dome from the pavement to
the cross outside, is four hundred and thirty-four
feet; its diameter, including the walls one hundred
and ninety-fve feet. The dome is supported by
four immense pillars, two hundred and thirty -four
feet In circumference. We ascended the dome BY
an inclined plane, and / would have ridden up on
donkey for the novelty of it, but did not have time
to get the necessary permit from the Pope.
This church, like all other Catholic churches, is
almost constantly attended, but rarely, except on
great occasions, by any but the poor. They kneel
on the floor, without seats, count their beads, say
their prayers in all honesty Of heart, confess to the
priests get absolution, and 60 away in bissful ig-
This seems strange to me, though l doubt not
there are many excellent, sincere people here
among the masses, be they ever so poor; but sub
ect as they to the priesthood, they are untitled
for any station in life.
do not feel bigoted, nor do bear the least ILL.,
will towards any religion; but being here and view
ing things as they really exist the tyrannical op-
preston which is carried on, you cannot wonder
hat express my opinion so freely. No, cannot
10 otherwse-I cannot do otherwise, cannot think
hat the many rigorous laws and institutions here
Ire beneficial to the country; on the contrary,
hey are injurious to the greatest extreme. The
people are perfect slaves to the Church, compelled
o 60 to confession once year or pay fine; and
even Protestant cannot reside here without con-
orming to the same law, or get permit from the
Pope every three months.
Do not think, however, that would say aught
Igainst their religion in pure form, properly car
led on for instance as it is in our country. think
me religion as good as another, where there is
incerty, but every one should have the liberty Of
levoting themselves to that denomination most
ongenial to their tastes and wishes.
So it is in the Uuited states and the Catholic
eligion there is all well enough. My remarks, {
therefore,, are applicable only to Italy, where church
nd state are too closely connected. Where this .
the case (t matters not what the religion s) the
ountry will be injured, the people oppressed and ,
heir liberty destroyed.
Give these poor degraded Italians freedom of ;
lought and speech, allow them to learn to read
nd write, read foreign papers, but above all permit
herished book, the Bible, as their guide and in- I
ructor-elevate their minds and hearts, and l
el sure that entirely different set of inhabitants
ould appear; this lovely country, the cords of !.
ppression cut asunder, would be recovered from :,
s present degraded state, and rank again among g
lie ruling powers Of Europe But Ifear this never U
i'll be, every species of oppression is thoroughly
ractced that it will ever remain poor fallen Italy,
he people are ignorant-cannot read or write Il
tut out from all interest in their country watched
arrowly lest some traveller should import some G
reign document that might disclose to them y
cans Of conspiring against the government and e
'quiring freedom, and more particularly denied 0
e use Of any species of firearms. Now, if this h
not tyrannical oppression, what is? Can anyone :,
onder that feel indignant towards the Pope's S
overnment? u
The great devotion Of these poor ignorant people
certainly beautiful in itself, and unobjectonable
most instances. They seem to adore the Virgin :,
ary more than our Saviour, for you cannot look v
any direction, in any window, at the corner Of G
~ street, without seeing picture of her; only il
metimes represented with the infant Saviour; o
daad vnu will find tho como <b;nr IN a1orv bouoo -