Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-11-14
RUTLAND HERALD.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER Il, 1867.
Wall. tr.m Abroad-NU. l4.n

upon the continent OF Europe, combln-
ing as it does the styles Of architecture
In its different periods of construction,
from the third and fourth centuries to
the twelfth. The Empress Helena
(mother of Constantlne) erected the first
portion of The structure, and 1t was en-
larged at various times, until its final
completion In the twelfth century. The
general details Of the interior, of the
building are Characteristic Of all Cath
olic churches, SO far as refers to the high
altar and its peculiar decorations and
fixtures. A stool is shown you, upon
which penitent evil.doers, who had hed
to the church for refuge, were compelled
TO sit. But, perhaps, the greatest inter
est to modern travellers connected with
the cathedral is its being the depository
of the "Holy Coat OF the Saviour" IL
is made of camels hair and fbrespof
bark, Of four colors, the tan or brown
color predominating. 1t is about five
feet in length, a long, straight gown,
with large, straight sleeves, and q
simple opening at the top for the neck,
around which are the marks Of persplra'
ton, &C, showing it to have been used
Its history is authenticated since the
fourth century, it having been brought
from Palestine in the year $685., A. D.,
and received st Treeves with q great
deal of religious pomp and ceremony.
1t has been exhibited to the public
twelve times in fifteen hundred years,
the last exhibition being in 1874, when
millions of devotees from nearly all
parts of the world focked to see it. Its
present depository is under the high
altar of the cathedral. 1t is .6rK en-
closed in wrappers OF three silk cloths,
white, blue and red, filled with Oriental
spices, to preserve it from moths, See,
0Hd, it is placed In three wooden chests,
sealed with the seals OF thirty-two dii-
ferent bishops. THIRD, these are placed
in stone depository, or shrine, and
fourth, this is placed in a wooden altar,
and sealed up under the high altar. Its
probable next exposition wiIi pe in ioio,
If time lasts and the world stands The
above facts were given US by quaint
old priest, whose witty comments upon
bis narrative were rather in contrast
to the sacred character OF his dress and
clerical position. The matron OF our
party WAS an especial object of his at
tention. He insisted upon giving her 8
valuable stone. for signet ring. Many
consultations were held as to the amount
OF pecuniary ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO be made
him for his generosity, and the propriety
Of receiving from him an object OF value,
which might have been 8 precious stone
in the Virgins crown. He said she had
the stone at the door OF the church. and
there he would present II to his friend,
our lady companion. Visions of arrest
for pilfering from some one Of the many
saints or altars constantly fitted before
US, II the precious relic was found In
our possession; and our whole party of
eight decided that the hazard was too
great, the risk should not be taken, and
the Offering peremptorily declined. AS
we were leaving the cathedral our ven
erable prelate says, Now, madam, for
the stone for the ring here it is, and l
offer 1t to you as an expression OF my
most tender regard and esteem.n He
very significantly listened to our remon-
strances and refusal OF acceptance, and
with s finger upon his nasal organ
pointed us to PROSTATE stone, pillar,
about three feet in diameter and fifteen
long. We persisted in our refusal, and
ne, with his fee gratefully resting in his
hand, laughingiy bowing US out, closed
the door, apparently satisfied with the
pre-eminent success of his Joking abili.
ties. From the cathedral we went to
the Palace Of the Electors and Bishops,
used now IS barracks, but containing a
most beautiful large white marble stair
way of hnely sculptured bas reliefs
Connected with this palace is the Basil
ica, which in its restoration and thor
ough reparation gives you an excellent
idea of the sternness of Roman archi.
lecture, when without decoration. The
walls are ninety feet in height, and ter
feet in thickness. The original bricks
and tiles appear as fresh and durable as
when first laid. The whole structure il
used as Protestant church at the pres
ent time Passing through the court
yard of the old palace, we came upon al
open area of large level space, uset
for drilling and exercise by the troops il
garrison. The rear Of the palace build
ing was being decorated with wreath'
OF evergreen and lasrel, preparatory tt
the very general celebration of the ami
versary Of the battle of Koniggratz
June 80, 1868, when the Prussians gaines
such decided victories here, as elsewhere
as to terminate war Of great amagni
tude and power, with the Austrians an'