Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-05-25

| OiN~AS ~ 'HSAA 'VJ"SS' l. hSi pdoedSc
through Italy was one triumphant pro-
gress from beginning to end, until, wea-
ried out by all these stately honors, the
young Princes literally pinned for the mo-
ment when, at the feet of Gregory XIII,
they should have accomplished the real
object of their travels. They were still
at two days journey from the city when
the general of the Roman forces met them
with several troops of cavalry for their
escort; but, as they were anxious to make
their entrance as privately as possible,
they preferred doing so by night, and
without any attendance.
The precaution availed them little
All Rome was eagerly awaiting their ar
rival; mutitudes met them even at the
gates and conducted them in triumph to
the protested house of the Jesuits, where
the General, Claudius Aqua Viva, at the
head of two hundred of the society, was
ready to receive them.
The Jesuits would have preferred in
Producing them to the Pope in private,
but finding that they came as accredited
agents from the Kings of Japan, Gregg
ry chose rather to give them public re-
ceptiou, with all the honors usually ac-
corded to the ambassadors of crowned
heads. The day after their arrival was
accordingly fixed upon for the ceremony
They were met at the vineyard Of Pope
Julius II (the spot from whence com
menced all great ceremonies in those
days. by the Bishop of Imola, who came
hither to compliment them on the part
of the Pope. A procession was then
formed by the light troops and Swiss
Guards leading the way, followed by the
carriages of the Spanish, French, and
Venetian ambassadors, and by the Ro-
man princes and mobiles on horseback -
Among these last rode the japanese am
bassadors, Immediately preceded by the
officers of the Pope's household. Mount
ed on magnificent chargers and dressed
in their native fashion, they formed, of
course, the principal object Of attraction
for the day. Nothing could be more
splendid than their attire, more grave
and noble than their mien and bearing
Three long robes one over the other, the
ground of dazzling whitencss, embroid-
cred with birds, flowers, and foliage, ex-
quisitely wrought, and of singular brill
liancy in the coloring, were partially open
in front, and crossed in the breast by a
scarf Of the same material, knotted be-
| mind in the fashion of belt. Their feet
we're sandelled, their wide sleeves reach
ed only to the elbow, and their swords
and sabres, of the finest tempered steel,
were richly encrusted, both sheath and
handle, with pearls, precious stones, and
figures variously designed in enamel. -
Their features were no less foreign and
striking than their garments, but there
was an innocence on each youthful brow,
and a noble modesty in every look and
: attitude, which yet more eftectually won
for them the involuntary admiration Of
all beholders. Mancio Ito, as chief Of
) the embassy, rode first, and as the foot
Of his charger touched the bridge Of st.
Angelo the guns of the castle fired sa-
lutte. They were answered by those Of
> Vatican; and long ere the warlike echoes
had died away a strain of delicious music
filed the air, and it was amid food Of
harmony that they drew bride at last be
fore the gates Of the Vatican.
G In the Sala Regia, and surrounded by
? his Cardinals, Gregory XIII, was wait
ing to receive them and PROSTATE before
his Holiness, and holding the credentials
: of their respective Monarchs, each in biz
e own hand the ambassadors declared, il
e a few aud simple words, the object oil
G their mission--namely, to acknowledge
in the names of the Kings Of Japan, the
4 Pope as Christs Vicar upon earth, and t
tender to him their homage and obedi
l ence, as head of the Universal Churcl
and pastor Of all the Christian people. -
! They spoke, Of course, in japanese, an(
D Father Mesquite acted as Interpreter -
J These preliminaries over, they were con
r Quoted to a platform, where they stood
with uncovered heads, while the letter.
] Of their several chiefs, translated in like
: manner by Father Mesquite, were reaC
] to his Holiness, and an address, called
e an obedience, which was usual on similar
G occasions, was then spoken in their name
by one Of the fathers. After gracious
2 answer from the Pope, they were once
? more conducted 10 the foot of the throne
where they were saluted and embraced
by the Cardinals present.
t BY order of the New Pope, Sextus V
) they we're ranked with the other ambas
sailors when assisting at his coronation
and he not onl y promised a future Bishop
to the Church Of Japan, but also con.
, firmed the grant in favor of its semina.
ries, and added two thousand crowns tc
} the four already set aside for that pur.
pose by Gregory. A sum Of three thou.
! sand more was also assigned them for the
) personal expenditure Of their journey
, homeward, and prior to their leaving
Rome, Sextus proposed to confer on them
the Knighthood Of the Golden Spur, an
: honor which he thought would be par
ticularly acceptable to Princes Of war.
like and chivalrous nation.
J Accordingly, the ceremony took place
on the eve Of the Ascension. in the pre-
sence Of all the foreign ambassadors and
native nobility Of Rome. The Pope him
self presented the sword and girdle, the
ambassadors Of France and Spain buck
led on the spurs and then Scxtus, throw
ing the golden chain around their necks,
gave hearty embrace to the new knights,
who thanked him for the favor be had
conferred upon them, and pledged them
selves solemnly TO maintain the faith at
the peril Of their liveg-a pledge which