Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-09-02
PREPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT Council

PREPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT CoUNcIL.-
\ Roman correspondent writes:
The work of the Council Hall in st. Peter 5
IS proceeding rapidly. The cardinals seats are
already visible at the extremity OF the apsc {,
the TWO lateral chapels, which will serve as
supplements TO the great Council Hall, are en-
closed and the great hall is being enclosed also,
eleven altars contained in its area being thus
temporarily withdrawn irom the public celebra-
tion of divine offices. The new desigU, besides
beng more grand and simple than the precc
ding one, will also afford saving in the exc
cutiOn of 1000 scudI. The young ecceSastl-
cal students selected to become stenOgraphers
Of the debates in the Council have made such
progress in that art that they have been allowed
to suspend their studies during the vacation
customary in the present hot season.
ThcPope has decided that universal exhl-
btion shall be held in Rome during the Coun-
oil, to be opened to the public on the lst OF
February next, and to remain SO Tor four
months. la order that this exhibition may
have character suitable to the Church, it is to
consist entirely of works of Christian art
Another project connected with the Council is
TO have placed in the vast arena OF the Vatican
Basihca the portraits in mosaic OF all prece-
ding POpes who have held Kcunenical
Councils
Cardinal Borromeo, who lives in the Altlcrl
palace, proposes to open his noble saloons to
the assembled bishops of Christendom during
the duration of the Council. How to lodge so
mapy preates is already matter OF serious
consideration. The Pope has taken many
apartments in palaces at his own expense, so as
to be able to offer hospitality to the most DIS
tinguished bishops, and one OF these residences,
in the Borgo Nuovs, is already occupied ty the
Austrian Bishop Fessler, appointed Secretary
OF the Council, who has arrived IN Rome and
is hard at work.
SuoppY.-The tendency Of fashionable So
ciety of the North is to degenerate into 'shod-
dy." and from this baleful influence no place
is sacred. Even at Long Branch, the resort OF
the most exclusive Of the New York arlstOcra-
cy. this fungus has sprung up. A correspon-
dent tells us The fact is with the exception
of number of wealthy residents who shun
the usual society to be found IN the hotels as
they would so many lepers, Long Branch Is
shoddy from the crown OF Its head to the soles
of its feet. There are certainly to be met with
now and then 10 the crowd individuals who do
not know exactly the social atmosphere they
breathe, vet breathe freely, thanks to their own
obtuseoess, but, for all that, the yulgarity that
is hidden beneath silks and satius, purchased,
in nine casses out Of ten, by the price obtained
for bad whiskeys retailed by the measure at
low groggeries, meets one on every side. 1t is
in vain that diamond rings OF surprising size
reflect the brilliancy of thousand lights IN
ballroom, where everybody attempts to out
dress everybody else without regard to individ-
ual condition; for the stueby fingers will SHOW
themselves and the slang talk OF the uneuucat-
ed rich ones, fresh from the baser walks OF life,
will break in upon every conversation she or
he engages iu, like the din Of breakfast gong
in the midst of melodious music. In fact
shoddy-not shoddy OF the war fortune simply,
but Shoddy sprung from every source OF sud
den wealth without It's due degree of cutiva-
tion-prevails everywhere at the dinner table
where the knife is made to stuff down the
dessert in lieu Of spoon; or waiter ordered
to pass that air butter, you lummleas;' or
in the parlor, where one shoddy tells the other
that her two young friends is very well, thank
yer - Balt. Gaz.
EApMER-MlsS Nellie Ii