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

A Hard Cash Estimate of Pho Nono-ssPeter's
Pence''-Prussian Policy Towards the Holy
Sse-Spanish Politics-3elIcs and Remi-
niscences of Ancient Rome.
ROME, Sept. %, 1859.
II public or rather universal esteem Is TO be
measured by pecuniary offerings there was never
such general iavorite rs Plus TX. The money
poured out Of Catholic purses into his exchequer
especially during the last years. has been meal
culable and tho most organized form OF contribu-
tion has certainly been that OF the obo,o al san
{let,o, alias 'Peter's pence.n The Able Dumax has
written n history OF this ancient tax indicted on
Christendom, and Its voluntary revival IN onr days,
frst In lsi9, when the Pope ed to Gaeta, aud after
wards to enable him to carry on his government
when deprived In September 1852 OF the rich pro-
vince OF Romagna and subsequently OF those OF
Marca. Umbria and Sablna. The orignators OF this
idea asserted to have been the Bishop OF
Orleans, In 1860, and the Catholics or the United
States In the month or February OF the same year.
who drew up and submitted to their bishops a cir
cular containing the following passage:-"Tne cti
Eens of the United States must not limit themselves
to demonstration Of sympathy-we think that the
association OF the Obolus~0i st. Peter might be
reesl2bllshhei:o The association was In fact organ
ixed ana attained s full development In 1862, sine
when 1t has given progressively increasing results
The King OF Prussia continues to coquct with
the Pope in q manner which must excite the jealous
susceptpities OF the French Emperor. Ills Majesty,
having been recently informed that his Holiness had
ordered magnificent carpet Berlin for the floor OF
the council hail. requested to be allowed to sustain
the expense OF 1t. The Pope replied in terms OF
gratitude for the Kings generosity, In memorial OF
which he hoped that the Hohenzollern arms would
be beside those OF the MastalFerretu in the
centre OF the carpet 1t VIII be curious to see the
escutcheon OF the principal Protestant sovereign OF
the Continent thus figuring IN the midst Of the
assembled fathers OF the Roman church.
1t is stated that we are to have as spanish Minister
here the ex-member OF the Cabinet Senior Loren
Eana. who 10 not likely to meet with very warm
reception at the Court OF Rome on account OF some
violent articles against the Ecumenical Council
signed by him and published in review OF last
year. Meanwhile we have special Envoy from
cmploye OF the Ministry OF Public Worship, who has
come TO obtain IRON the Pope authorization to sub
init the Spanish bishops 10 the same oalh OF ale
glance to the government as that administered 10
preates in France on taking possession OF their sees
and contained In the sixth article OF the concordat
between the Holy sec and the French government
No such precaution was taken by the government OF
-&zueea Isabella in drawing up me Spanish concordat
hostile TO her dignity This step on the part or the
present Spanish government has been suggested by
the hostile attitude OF considerable portion or the
clergy and the active war waged BY many parish
priests against the present regime In districts where
Carlist traditions and tendencies prevail.
The Minister OF Worship Gorilla, has issued cir.
cuar TO all the bishops OIL the peninsula requesting
them to restrain Their clergy rom Joining Carlist
mentioned ABOVE for the modification OF The exist
ing concordat. l understand that the spanish
Envoy, after some interviews with Cardinal Anto
ne, enterLans hopes oil obtaining the desired
concession.
Prince otno brother OF the reigning King OF Bava-
ria, arrived IN Rome on saturday evening from
Naples. and had formal audience of his Holiness.
at the Vatican, on Monday morning. His ROYAL
ughness had only three days llonizing In Rome and
left yesterday morning for Florence.
Sighseers In the environs continue to labor under
the difficulty OF briqanda. German gentleman
ami his wife were robbed by four bandits on Sunday
between FranScati aud Tusculum.
Guhfprranpln ROme-lt call
OF ancient ruins existing under the modern city
continues to furnish Interesting results 10 exca-
vators, especially OIL that portion OF the Paatine
hill belonging to the Emperor Napoleon. SWIM
ming bath, tank. has been revealed there, In
hollow between two excavations, near which series
OF chambers with reucuated walls, decorated with
encaustic paintings, have been uncovered.
These decorations are well drawn aud brilliantly
coorod. comprising NEUROLOGICAL subjects, hippo
critics. genll, candelabra birds, vases and feSt0ons
or flowers. In one room is represented Polyphemus
pursuing Galatea, who, leaving Acis, plunges into
q river on horseback accompanied by two nymphs,
swimming On another wall OF the same room is
painted To- the rival OF Juno, bound to rock and
guarded by Argus toward whom Mercury is cautious
ly approaching with sword 1t Is TO be remarked
that IN these paintings the poetic tradition has not
been Observed which gives only one eye to PoIyphe
mus and O hundred to Argus These rooms are
being covered In, anc the paintings are being var
nished with preservatve chemical preparation.
They belonged probably 10 the house OF Augustus,
or that OF 9lberus, and were built over, Ike the
bathsof Liva, when Domitisn re-erected the palace
higher level after ats partial destruction by nre.
In digging for the foundations OF house opposite
the hospital OF the 7rtnttd Del PelegTtnt an ancient
building has been discovered. with remnants OF
decorative paintings and q mosaic pavement repre-
Eenting Mercury with the Caduceus and q nymph
with the Cornuc0pie In the middle. and four aHe-
gorical heads OF the seasons In the corners.