The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-05-06
THE NEW YORK SUN.
MONDAY MORNING, MAY 1891.
Letter from Italy.
FLoRxScE, April 11th, 1901.


tcs season, to which was . witness at Rome.
1t uld he impossible, in fact, TO describe
them without more of detail than the crowded
columns Of tho SuS would admit Of; nor could
] even then give any clear idea Of the splendor
Of the scene witnessed at 81. Peters on these
high days Of tho cburch-Pslm Sunday and
Easter Sunday. Imagine, II you can, that i'm
nensc bosllics, with Its uurivsllea mosaics, its
columns, its statues, Its vessels Of silver, and
its ornaments Of gold, and thosc vast accumu-
latlons Of treasure for which Rome has ~ long
laid the world under tribute. Picture its
broad floor covered with thousands Of spccta.
tors, who seem hut q handful in the inmcasc
spsce-ths military forming hollow psralleio-
gram, from the Tribune to the door, fve hun
dred feet away; tho richly robcd cardinals and
priests; tho soberly dressed lsdics in black
gowns and vsils, and the motley crowd Of sight
seers pressing hard upon the files Of soldiers, In
their eagerness to Sec. Mobiles glittsing with
Gscorsticns and peasants in rags; civilians and
soldiers, priests aud lsymon, decent Catholics
and stubborn hereties mingled In tho throns
drawn togcther by the common tie Of curiosity.
Tho oemmotions and murmurs Of coming
trouble had not sufficiently disturbed the Holy
Father to induce him to deprive his chill lren
o. any Of their accustomed diversions, and the
ceremonies OF the week were ordered with all
that pomp and magnifccnce of which Rome
has been so long tho witness. Tho crisis
through which the Papacy Ia now passing gave
indeed, additional interest to the ceremonies. 'I:
Is the last time, said hopeful Protsstsnts; at
Ia % Of old" said believing Catholics and their
hearts were chesrcd by the spectacle d the
grandeur and the ponp Of tho church they
love-so great even in its seeming decline; %
grand even where its enemies behold IL gath
er'ng its mantle about II for its final fall.
But not even the most dcvout expect to find
much opportunity for worship In the obscry-
snces OF Holy Week. The crowd, the hustle,
ths hurry and the excitement, are all too great
to suffer even tho believer to indulge in this,
and tho whole thing seems to be regarded
pretty much by all aliko as q grand show
which gives Rome an attraction for many
greater than all tho charm Of its historical |
associations and its treasures Of art, Not
that tho ceremonies are without . religious
meaning and purpose to those who UNDER
stand them, but il must bs conceded
by even tho jealous that churches crowded
with sight-sccrs are not ths most favorable
places for worship.
Bat even ss show the obscrvanocs o. IIJly
Week are worth . pilgrimage to R,ms to
thoss who delight In such exhibitions. Upon
them the Catholic church expsnds all that skill
In the production Of the effect which the expert
ence Of centuries has given it, and at no court
In Europe can you witness such display Of
magnificent ceremonial, and more than royal
splendor, which Is possible to the spiritual hier
archy Of Rome. Where else Is there q st. Pc
ter'si Where else such costly squipages ss
centuries Of devout offering from the rich
and tho royal, have given to tho Court Of
Rome1 Whore else Pope to command more
than imperial homage Aud where sl'e
people 30 ready to yisd II with unquc'tion-
ing obcderce1 2 We read about such scenes as
wso witnessed At Rome during Holy week, in
the old churches Of the feuddl time; but no
where do you find them in our day except at
tho scat Of the power which boasts itself un-
turnings which have been bringing sovereign,
and people nearer one common level.
l was glad Of tho opportunity which this gath
ering at Rome gave mo Of learning something Of
the Yews Of Intelligent Catholics regarding tho
present condition Of tho PapIcy. cannot
claim, Il course, to know anything Of ths sou
tincuts Of the Italians, Of whose language am
so ignorant, and perhaps ! presume too much
upon . not very extensive acquaintance with
English and American Catholics, in assuming
to judge Of these divisions Of tho church. 50
far as can form an idea, thoy seem quite re
conciled 10 the separation Of tho spiritual and
temporal power Of the Pope, wisely Judging
that too great concern about secular matters
cannot bs favorable to the highest form of 70
ligious development. OF the very general
prevalence Of this sentiment among thsss
Catholics who are under the influence Of liberal
associations, we have abundant evidence every.
where. Thousands who are ready TO contribute
chserfully to the support of tho spiritual su-
premacy and dignity Of their church, are far
Isss inclined to sustain the Pope In his claims
to I'a'i,n territory, and the abandonment Of
thess will 10 the surest way Of filing the Papal
Golfers with the spontaneous offerings ofdevout
believers. Il is reported that . sew influx
Of Peters Pence has commenced, perhaps In pro,
Iect q the speedy Abandonment Of the PApal
Governments feeble hold In Roma
But now that Rome and Venice are needs
for the consolidation Of this hstsreogeneoui
Italian kingdom In these days Of disinteua
lion and dsunion, il will be surprising indeed
fIuly, with % many odds against hsr bring
this question Of union to successful solution
k1npies continues TO manifest dgns Of unsasinsa
"a II will require much TO reduce It to state
~ orderly and quiet submission to the nsv
! dynasty. Here the people are much more de-
I voted to their new sovereign. At Pisa tn
| other day, fbund the streets covered with ex
| elsnstions Of "vIvA VrroRIo EnASusLE II
| NosTRo Re-" in letter. Of black, painted OF
the wall, and fences This Is but . single evi
d.nts Of The popsiar sentiment here, which
ve;y favor, bls TO the stability and ths strength
Of the new Italian kingdom. W. g. G.
II A Nrw EpIsCOPAI CHURCH has been openo