Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-03-22
Familiar Letters from Europe.
NUMBER TEN,


The basilica of st. John I.atteran is a fin
building, the proportions fine and the interior beau
titully decorated; but the principal attraction t.
me was splendid group by Bernini-hs last work
1t was our Saviour and the Virgin Mary, formin!
one of the most exqsitev beautiful pieces of SOUP
ture | ever behcld 1t was situated in the cryp
and seen by torch-light
| In the coisters of this church are many sacred
relics, among the most important were the Scala
SAINT" sacred steps-sal to be the identical ones
which belonged to the house of PLATE, and which
Christ descended when he left the judgment hall
NO hereto is allowed to put foot them, being
reserved for the penitent and faithful, who ascend
on their knees, which act is said to secure them
seat in Heaven A fat, well-fcd looking priest stood
at the door holding out his money box to all, and
it was only after answering his call that we were
enabled to ascend side flight Of steps and watch
| the great numbers of poor dculed mortals tong
with all the patience mag Unable to gain the required
point The orig inal marble steps have been COW
cred with wood to preserve them, and they have
been renewed several times Thousands do pen
ance every day in this way, and people of every
class practice this species Of false humility, NUT
terng their prayers and counting their beads. At
the top of the steps is large cruciix; and each
pentent kisses the hands and feet, at the same
time contributing to the plate placed there for that
purpose. Behind this is a small chape-considered
SO sacred that women are not allowed to enter it
at ALL
The immense church called ''St. Paul" is not
yet finished, but will be a splendid edilice The
original basica was reduced to ruin by fire in 1924,
but has been gradually rebuilt, on the same plan,
by subscriptions Of different sovercigns and Popes
The total length of the building is four hundred
and eighty feet 1t is erected i'll very unhealthy
spot, some distance from the city; however, in
this country nothing mars the prosperity of church
The interior is beautifully finished and is decorated
with mosaic portraits of the different Popes-num-
bering two hundred and torty-two Those who
have been acknowledged Saints by the chuch are
placed in the TRANSCRIPTS. The church is said to be
erected on the very spot where St. Paul was
buried.
Visited the Vatican, but unfortunately the Pope
vas entertaining the young king of Portugal there,
md we could not gain admission to every portion
If it. Found the mandatory of mosaic very in
eresting. While in the court of the Vatican the
Pope, with his attendants and body guard rode in
With al! the grandeur imaginable. His holiness |
lighted from splendid carriage drawn by six fine
orses, with driver on the box and two Positions
n livery. He was then ushered into the palace
With the most profound respect by his attendants.
he body guard were nearly all French and Swiss
The Pope himself is quite heshy; has a bencvo-
mt, INDECENT, good natured face, with nothing to
enote intellect capacity to govern his subjects.
'ardnal Antonetti, on the contrary, is splendid
boxing man, with commanding, intelligent coun-
enance. He is, really, the ruling spirit, and but
or him the people would be under no control, and
he country in a worse state than at present
We took another ride over the Appain Way
'oked once more at the dreary ruins there, and
aving our carriages, rlmbled over the campagna,
ow looking at the immense tomb of Cecilia Me-
lila, now examining the old acqueduct-the oldest {
obstruction about Rome, not excepting the forum ;
the lovely little grotto of Egeria, dear romantic
tie spot though all sad and desolate now t
The baths of Caracala are very interesting i
though they are complete mass of ruins, and 6
'out mile in extent and were begun by Caracalla c
D. 2l2, and completed by Alexander Severus a
a ruin and example of Roman architecture, b
ey rank with the Coliseum in point of interest
d beauty.
The Palestine hill, on which stood the palaces of
Caesars, is almost entirely grown over with trees
d weeds, occasionally mass Of ruins being vis- d
!, with but little to excite interest admiration.
is almost too much for the imagination to ="
,ture to the minds eye the grandeur that once
gned there; we walked over it amidst the
nubling brick and mortar. n
Also visited the Quirnal, palace of the Pope. st
e garden attached is adorned with fine shrubbery e
i beautiful water-works. In one portion Of it is "
mall grotto, where the water is made to assume
thousand forms, while an organ plays sweet music r,
water-power f.
Went into the recepton-rooms of the Pope and II
in a chair used by HIM on such occasions. The >,
,rtments are neatly furnished throughout the :,
ace. took great pleasure in visiting the diff Il;
emit studios, so well calculated to afford interest.
Gibson, an Engishman, has one of the finest,
has obtained considerable celebrity artist d.
IS Hosmer, lady from Boston, has been pupil To-
Mr.. Gibson's, and had some very fine specimens m
her work. Because acquainted with Mr.. Bar pc
lomew, from Hartford who, though compara-
,ly, young artist, think will do honor to his la
ntry He seems devoted to his business, and ~
lave considerable taste ideality, and much en- til
v. His finest work was in bas-reliefs.
Did not fail to drink of the waters Of the fountain
Tragan, and according to the old superstition Pr
Il certainly return to Rome. Would it were. m;
:, for could never tire wandering among the an
lent relics of dear old Rome. nc
me evening" when riding home, we noticed a ma
light burning steadily on the top Of old Fr
lsion, and was informed that it had been kept ~
ming day and night during three hundred years, DO
the nurnose of liphtino tho nath of the shirt