The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-16
ROME.


Hard Cash Estimate of Pho Nono--"Peter's
Pence''-Prussian Policy Towards tho Holy
5ee-Spanish PoiIics--3elics and Rem-
niscences of Ancient Rome.
ROME, Sept 3d. 1859.
II public or rather universal esteem is TO be
measured by pecunary offerings, there was never
such q general avorite "a Plus TX. The money
poured out OF Catholic purses into his excnequer,
especially during the last ten years. has been meal
culable, and the most organized form OF contribu-
ton has certainly been that of the ob0lo al san
Pieto, alias PETERS pence" The Able Dumax has
written a history OF this ancient tax INFLICTED on
Chrstendom ana its voluntary revival IN orr days
nrst In ls4s when the Pope led to Gaea aud after
wards 10 enable hun to carry on his government
when deprv cd in September. 1862 Of the rich pro-
vince OF Romagna AMI subsequently OF those OF
Marca Umbrs and Sabna. The orlginators OF this
idea are asserted to have been tae Bishop o;
Orleans In 1862 ana the Catholics or the United
States Ii the month or February OF the same year,
who drew up ana submitted to their bishops cir
cular containing the following passage:-"Tne citi-
gems OF the United states must limit themselves
to q demonstration OF sympatny-we think thai the
association OF the Obolus OF ST. Peter might be
re.establshest' The association was In fact organ.
ized and attained lts fun development in 1867 sine
when 1t has given progressively increasing results.
The King OF Prussia continues 10 coquet with
tue Pope in a manner which must excite the jealous
susceptpiIities OF the French Emperor Ills Majesty
having been recently informed that his Holiness had
ordered magnificent carpet at Berlin for the floor OF
the council hall, requested to be allowed to sustain
the expense OF it. The Pope replied in terms OF
gratitude for The Kings generosity, IN memorial OF
which he hoped that the HohenZollern arms woula
be worked beside those OF the Mastaferrcti in the
centre OF the carpet. 1t VIII be curious to the
escutcheon OF the principal Protestant sovereign OF
the Continent thus figuring III tue midst Of the
assembled fathers OF the Roman Church.
1t Is stated that we are to have spanish Minister
here the ex-member OF the Cabinet, senior Loren
gana. who 10 not likely t. meet with very warm
reception at the Court OF Rome account OF some
violent articles against the Ecumencal Council
Mahh snv we ye ~ Enysg q o as
Spain In the person OF senior Mcll1n caro-, q high
empoye OF Tue Ministry or Public Worship who has
come 10 obtain IRON the Pope authorization 10 sub
nit the Spanish bishops 10 the same oa,h or ale.
glance to the government as that administered 10
preiaes in France on taxing possession OF their sees
and contained In the sixth arilc.e OF the concoriat
between tile Holy zee aud the French government
No such precautlon was taken by the government or
T. queen Isabella in drawing up ne spanish cOncordat
AZ 1t was never supposed that the bishops could be
hostile TO her dignity. This step on the part Of the
the hostlic attitude Of considerable portion or the
clergy and ne active war waged BY many PARISH
priests against the present feg ne In districts where
Carst fractions and tendencies prevail.
The Minister OF Worship, Gorilla, has issued a cir
GUAR 10 all the Dsaops Ol the penlns aia requesting
them to reslfain their clergy ifom joining Carlst
rebel bands, and has opened the negotiations
q
ing concordst. ! understand that the spanish
Envoy, after some interviews Win Cardinal Anto-
neiii, eniertatns Eopes OF osianing the desired
concession.
Prince DINO brother OF the regning King OF Bava
ria, arrived IN Rome Oh saturday evening from
Naples and had formal audience OF hls Holiness
at the Vatican, on Monday morning HIS ROYAL
HghHess had only three days oniZlng IN Rome anu
left yesterday morning Tor Florence.
Sightscers in the enyrons continue TO labor under
the difficulty OF brigands. a German gentleman
AMI his wife were robbed b. four bandits on Sunday
between FranSCatl and Iusculum.
Subterranean ROme-if mas call the stratum
OF ancient runs existing under tue modern city
continues to furnish Interesting results 10
vators, especially OF that portion Of Tho Palatne
hill belonging TO the Emperor Napoleon. swim
ming bath. or tank. has been revealed there, In q
hollow between two excavations, near which series
OF chambers with retlcuated walls, decorated with
encaustic paintings, have been uncovered.
These decorations wen drawn and brilliantly
critics geDL, candeaDra, BIRDS, vases and iestoons
or flowers In one room is represented Polyphemus
pursuing Galatea, who, leaving Aes, plunges into
q river on horseback, accompanied by two nymphs,
painted 10, the rival OF Juno, bound TO rock and
guarded by Argus, toward whom Mercury IS cautious
ly approaching with sword. IL Is 10 be remarked
that IN these paintings the poetic tradition has not
been observed, which gives only eye to Polyphe-
mus and hundred TO Argus. These rooms are
beng covered In, anc the paintings are being var
nished with 9 preservattve chemical preparation.
They belonged probably 20 the house OF Augustus,
or that OF 1iberlus and were butt over, like the
baths or Livia, when D0mitian regretted the palace
on higher level after Its partial destruction by are.
In digging for the foundations OF house opposite
the hospital OF the Trinud det Pelieqrfnt an ancient
building has been discovered with remnants OF
decorative paintings, and mosaic pavement repre-.
eenting Mercury with the Gaduceus aud a nymph
with the Cornucopie In the middle. and four ase-
gorloal heads Of The seasons In the corners.