The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-06-02
Rome.

THE OFFERINGS FOR THE PAPAL FETE-
DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE RICH
EST PRESENTs-A JUBILEE.
Rome Correspondence of the N. Y. World
In my last letter 1 mentioned the
various offerings in kind sent to his
holiness for his .fete ofthe 18th of April.
1t was not until two days ago that 1
finally succeeded in obtaining view
of the valuables that have been exl,ib-
iting daily to all corners. From 10 to
3, daily, have the staircases leading up
to the gallery in which these have been
temporarily arranged been crowded to
a most astonishing extent, and as small
parties only, of score or so, are allow
ed in at time, the waiting in expecta-
ton and the ten minutes allotted to
the sight of everything, after which You
are summarily elected, causes great
dissatisfaction. We were more fortu-
nate, by mere stroke of luck, for, on,
presenting ourselves at half-past four,
minated at 3, we found phenomenon
in the shape of q polite Swiss guard,
who, instead of replying to our inqui-
ries with prOverbial obduracy, Inform
ed us that if we pleased to pass up the
Pope's' own staircase, we might, on
reaching the second landing, let. an Of
fetal in waiting there know that the
officer on guard below had allowed us
to pass, and that he could do so, like
wise. With very little difficulty we
obtained an entrance, md found a few
more persons there, privileged as we
were (withOut knowing why) to see
with ease and comfort what most of our
friends had gone through much person.
al conflict to obtain a harassed and
hurried glimpse of. In the newly-re-
stored and decorated portion of the
gallery called the Loggie of Raphael
these presents are set out for inspec-
ton, but not to the best advantage
To my great disappointment I found
that they were not labelled each with
the donors name and country, like the
offerings sent from the towns of the
patrimony of St. Peter. Only one case
bore its Latin inscription, stating that
it came from the Hungarian nation.-
This was a pectoral cross and golden
chain quite dazzlingly beautiful, an
immense ruby forming the centre, sur
rounded by large pearls and diamonds
and four more rubies. Another pecto-
raj cross presented by the ministerial
council consists of magnificent Opals,
the size of hazel nuts, set in diamonds,
and q third sent from England, of gold
and blue enamel, set with carbuncles.
In the centre of all stood the great
Saxony vase, sent by the king of Prus-
STA, behind which, on a screen, hung
two finely wrought and printed vest
ments, sent, one from Austria and one
from the Modenese. Only these two
specimens of the numerous superb
vestments sent to Plus TX. we're exhib
tied. l saw the handsome Byzantine
gold cllalice and paten presented by
the Roman senate, set with valuable
diamonds and other stones, the work of
Castellani, after IA design of the Duke
Sermoneta, Don Michel, Angelo Cal
TAM (now quite blind.) This work of
art is valued at "a 600 francs. Civita-
Vecchia sent beautiful reliquary in
silver, Montalto silver chaiice. OF
gold and silver chalices, ciboriums,
&C., there were about "a, third Of
which number were in solid gold. The
missals and books of devotion, dozen
at least, were all marvels of binding
and illumination. There we're sets of
gold plate and silver-plate for the eel
ebration of pontitical mass, and for tile
Pope's personal use sets of silver cups
and saucers, and a lovely little Sevres
set for one. Religuaries of all sorts
aud shapes and value. A silver ma-
donna and child seated, looking s0me-
thing like the Madonna della Seggiola,
about foot in height, pedestal and all.
There were triptics and religious paint
ings, of little value as works OF art, but
to be priced from association asscOpies
of favorite devotional pictures, mirac-
ulous, according to the faith of the sen
der, and all handsomely framed. One
of the gems of the collection is a large
gold medal, some six inches in dame
ter, commissioned by the English cath
olics from the celebrated arti6cer,
Vechte, who treads closely in the foot
steps of Benvenuto Cellini, and is
thought, in some of his works, to have
equaied the old Florentine. The exc
cution is pronounced admirable. 1t lie
beaten out into relief, and then finish
ed with the graver. The subject Sc
lected was the pope's favorite, "Im-
macnlate Conception" I could wish
to have forwarded more complete
and satisfactory account of these gifts
but, after seeking information concern
ing them during the past eight days,
find can only mention what l saw
with my own eyes.
The Pope has proclaimed a jubilee
for the coming acumenical council, tt
commence from the first of next June
and last till the close of the synod
whenever that may be. In an apostle
lie letter, addressed to all Christians
who shall peruse it, his holiness sends
apostolical greeting and benediction.-
The epistle dating 18th April, and Civ
en- under the seal of "the fishermah'
ring" Plus TX. announces plenary in
diligence to the whole Catholic worlt
visiting Rome during the above named
period of time, under the condition,
customary to year of jubilee.
TRESH PUMPKIN SEED-Jus
u received and for sale by II. ST. JOHN
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