Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-07-21
THE PROPAGANDA AT ROME.

THE PROPAGANDA AT ROME.
One of the peculiar institutions in Rome con-
nected with the Catholic Church is the Propa-
ganda College. IL was founded more than two
centuries ago for the purpose of eSidcating mis-
Slonaries TO be sen. into every part of the world
1t is supported by contributions frora Roman
Catholic societies in different parts of: Europe
1oung men from every country, from every
corner OF the globe, are sent there to be edu-
Gated. The number of students is about eighty
and the number of languages spoken in the
neighborhood of fifty. No student more than
twenty years of age is permitted to enter some
of them, indeed, are not more than nine or ten
years old. They are required to take an oath
on entering the institution that they will devote
theE entire lives in laboring for the interests Of
the Catholic Church and in disseminating the
doctrines of the Catholic religion
A printing establishment is connected with
the college, which, before the French revolu-
ton, had the means Of publishing books in
twenty-seven different languages, and this
foundation was at the same time the richest
and most powerful in the world The French
carried the type to Paris, and applied its riches
to other purposes; the exercises were discon-
tinued for several years. and the students were
scattered. But this noble institution has once
more raised Its head, and now, as of old, sends
fJrth missionaries to proclaim the Word of God
to the heathen of every land. To avoid a con-
fusion OF tongues, which would be almost equal
to that OF Babel the exercises are carried on
chiefly In the Latin language, but italian is
also much used. Tho annual commencement
takes place January Sth and 9th A small
number of tickets are distributed, mostly among
the Priests, 50 that very few stranger, have an
opportunity OF enjoying this novel exhibition
January oth, Was admitted into small room,
crowded with Priests and strangers A few
ladies' were permitted to look on from kind of
gallery, or rather from the windows of the
second story. At one end of the room sat the
students on platform; in the gallery at the
other was stationed good band that enter
tanned US now and then with lively music a
lew seats in front were occupied by cardinals
The appearance presented by the crowd OF
youth, with every shade Of complexion and
every mould of features, from the Scandina
wan with his light hair and transparent skin,
tosfhe negro, as black as midnight, afforded at
oscs'a diversion and means of studying char
seterthat ono seldom finds. listened to forty
ofetions, or recitatiOns of poetry, in as many
oanererI languages. each requiring about five
minutes. Every language of the Orient, Eu-
rope, and many dialects spoken in the islands
OF the Pacific, had their representatives The
English poem was fine production well de-
iivcred by VIM Quinn, Of Calcutta There
was something noble, almost sublime in the
sound of the Spanish; the mOnysyllabic gut
iural sounds of the Chinese, Egyptian and
Turkish, were anything but harmonious to the
by Its and jerks. y
One young man. who spoke both in Persian
and Chaldaic, particularly attracted nv atten-
tion by his noble mien and intellectual face.
Ihe representative Of Iceland was evidently
deslrous Of producing an impression, and as
ms language was entirely unknown to the au-
dIence, he was heartily applauded. The PO-
Lander broke down in the middle Of sublime
sentence, to the delight of three of bis country
men who sat near me- and who laughed during
the entire performance. Some Irish lads spoke
dialogue IN Italian that called forth shouts
oi applause Not the least interesting part of
the exercises was the singing, which trans
ported you now to the banks vi the Nile. now
10 the land Of tea and opium, or To the shores
vi the Pacific The principal subject of these
poems and 0rations Was the immaculate Con-
ceptiOn.
The Pope was Landed to the skies. and his
name SAID they, is rendered immortal by the
spiendid monument that he has erected In hon
or Of the virginia monument which though
well executed in detail, is altogether a misera-
Die affair, and has been execrated by all artists
Oh GOOD taste 1t stands in front of the Propa-
ghnda College. statue OF Moses PLAYING the
hhsrp on the PEDESTAL was the subject Of song;
Mary, colossal bronze figure, about 60 feet
from the ground, called forth MANY rapturous
poems; aud every part Of the monument was
praised In the most extravagant terms
ioe students notwithstanding the harsh
training to which they had been subjected. had
not LOST their love OF fun, and many were the
evidences that they gave Of this fact Decidedly
tne most amusing performance of all was that
Hi negro, go black that you could n IT have
known that an individual was there. did not
MS moderately black gown, betray him. This
iEhdoitant oi the tOrrld zone, in height more
lnan SIX feet, arose, bowed profoundly, deliy-
ered three lines, whether of poetry or prose. |
anl unable 10 say, with an air so solemn and
mysterious that any initiated spectator would
nave thought that be was uttering a sentence
Oh death, then sat down with the majesty of n
King who eondescendingly listens to the an
pause OF his subjects. The exercises ended
with a short yaledlctory BY a French lad. not
more tnan III years of age, and the crowd dis
persed. U'-
Many OF these students now return 10 their
own countries to spread the doctrines of the
Cataollc religion; some to encounter persecu-
tion and death for the sake of him who sent
tnem A shade of sadness oyerspread their
iaces az they bade final farewell to the friends
WITH whom they had been associated so many
years, each one stepping forth singly to contend
win the TRIALS of life. They presented a ne
appearance when they arose together to take
leave OF the audience. 1t was gratifying 10 see
the representatives of so many nations brought
tosether, clad In their long students gowns
united IN one body beneath one standard which
has already led the armies of Cbristendom
around the globe.
DEEPENInG THE CHANNELS OF RIVERS Avn
uARB0Rs-An apparatus for deepening the
channels OF rivers and harbors has been trisd
with good success. The apparatus consists of