Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-04
Ranlltti IN Italy.

A letter from Rome, in the Paris Univers,
contains the following extraordinary tale:
an the cathedral Of Velletri, near Rome,
WAS an image of the Virgin, nearly Covered
with gold, and ornamcnted with necklaces,
rings and jewelry. and it was held in great
venerstion by the people. In the Holy Week
it was, according to custom, screened from
view by curtain, aud On Holy Thursday,
some person coutrivei to steal it. On Coed
Friday, the archpriest of the cathedral re
ceived note thus conceived: 81, the under
signed, know the thief and the spot 10 which
is deposited the image of the Madonna. and
| will make revelations on these conditions
-impunty for myself, the release OF my
brother who is to be condemned to death,
and pension Of 10 crowns a month. Ven
detta." The archpriess having ascertaioed
that the image really had been abstracted,
communicated the strange epi'tle to the del
agate, Mousignor Giordaui. Instead Of seek
ing at once for the writer of the letter, this
dignitary applied to Rome for orders, and the
Pope, fearing the total loss of the Madonna
aud the effect that would be produced among
the people, directed that the fist condition
of the bandit should be accepted, but that
the other two should be rejected. Vendetta,
having learned this resolution, spread among
the people of Nelletri the news of the rob-
berry of the image, which the clergy of the
cathedral had kept secret, and he wrote to
the clergy that he would be content with I'M
punity for himself and with 500 crowns paid
down. Ga Saturday, the people went en-
mdsSe to the church, and waited with ankle
ty for that part Of the service in which the
cruoifxes and images are shown; but the
veil which had covered the image OF the Ma
donna was DOT removed.
On Sunday, the people again went to the
church, but as the image was not displayed
they became excited and murmured, and at
length some of them got on the altar and
tore down the curtain. The rumor was then
spread by friends of Vendetta that it was
the Jesuits who had stolen the Madonna,
and the excited people, believing the false
hood, broke into the Convent occupied by
the Jesuits, which is djacent to the Cathe-
dral, and with cries of "La Madonna nos
tra." completely sacked it and ill-treated the
reverend fathers. Shortly after the suifra-
gan bishop asce! ded the pulp pit and exhorted
the people who remained in the church 10 be
calm; but they would not listen to him.
There is no garrison except 10 or II vete
rams 10 the town, SO that no opposition could
be made to the mob. When the bishop des-
ceDded from the pulpit scarcely credible
scene occurred. The brigand Vendetta,
armed with poignard, assembled 1t aud
thus addressed the people: "Be paticnt!-
The good fathers are innocent. 1t is l who
stole the Madonna. But will only restore
it when the Government, to whom | grant q
delay till Monday evening, shall have COO
sented to the compact have proposed to It:
Be calm, therefore, and shout no more.
warn you, in conclusion, that my compan'
ions are armed as well as J." What follow
ed that harangue we have not yet learned;
but deputation Of the municipality and
chapter of Neletri have arrived here and
have had an interview with the Pope. O7.
ders have be issued to despatch troop OF
gendsrmes on horseback and company OF
Swiss infantry to Velletri to establish order"