Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1860-09-06

tCVSuo, 80 -Hc OCCp iuto win III
it by the wheels OF carriages woul
indicate that il had been used ic
q ages. Similar marks are to be see
; in the paved streets Of POmpei
/ proving the existence and geners
use of wheeled vehicles two an
three thousand years ago.
SUNDAY, March 25th.- To-day W
have attended high mass at th
, Church of St. MINERVA, on whicl
occasion the great head and embOdi
ment Of Catholic Christendom, Pope
Plus TX, officiated. The ceremony
was grand andimposing. Wearrivst
at the Church at al early hour tt
witness the arrival Of his Holiness
and bis cardinals in all the pomp and
display of courtly grandeur. The
entire route was decorated for the
procession from the Vatican to the
Church, and the streets were f lied
slth crowds Of the curious and ad-
mirins, waiting the signal of approach.
Soon t he mounted escort appeared
announcing the approach Of the Holy
Father, followed BY the State Car
risges and a long line ofcoacAss con-
tanning the dignitariss OF the Church.
The State carriages Of the Pope, aud
all the equiPage, are ss gorgeous as
| have ever seen in any Royal pro.
csssion 10 Europs with ak splendid
horses to each, black IS night, and
capaTisoned in the rich est and most
gaody trappings.
What strikes the Protestant oh.
server most forcibly, is the great
vensration shown the Pope by the
Catholic world. AT his approach,
as far as one can see along the streets,
the people fall to their knees, with
a devotional position Of the body
and hands, and thus remain until
be passes and pronouuces his bless
ings upon them; moving his hands
over their heads. This, DO doubt,
is spiritual benediction. The large
square in front Of the Church was
much crowded with citiz ems, soldiers,
State officers, guard, military bands.
State carriages and policemen. We
entered the Church and took our
position before the arrival of the
Pope. The interior presented a
sight surprisingly strange and novel
to the eyes Of American citizens so
accustomed to enter their houses of
worship quietly and 10 silence; with
out display, ceremony. the blast of
trunpets er the imposing array in
military companies. The first thing
that attracted our attention, wss The
crowds Of armed men in full uniform,
with muskets, swords and bayouets.
posted throughout the Church. CON-
manded by their superior officers,
giving the order Of command, and
taking them through military ero-
lutieDs during the religious ceremo-
MES. This seem ed to US, to say the
least, singular mode of Christian
worship, and very much like the un-
ion of spiritual with temporal power
In few minutes the blast of martial
music, and roll OF the drum, an
neunced the arrival of tbe Pope
with his host Of dignitariss. He
was conveyed around the Church in
grand State procession to receive
the homage of the assembled nul.
titude. His Holiness was seated in
the chair Of State, dressed in rich
white. elaborately wrought Pontifcal
robes, wearing the triple crown, and
was carried on the shoulders Of Elk
men, followed by a long train of car
dials, dignitsriss and Church officials.
As he approached the nave, Of the
Church, the entire assembly fell
simultaneously to their knees, as
though the entire congregation had
been instaDtaneously deprived Of
their lower extremities; remaining
PROSTATE until the procession had
passed. They proceeded TO the
high altar where the triumphal car
vas lowered TO the pavement, and the
Pope took his seat in the Episcopal
Chair. Then commenced the salu-
tations All the cardinals passed in
front Of his Holiness and were per-
mitted to kiss his toe and Pontiical
robes, in token Of their high veuer.
ation Of his person, and in allegiance
to bis spiritual power and sanctity.
This mark Of regard is held in great
estimation by all true and devout
Catholics and the Italians are GER