The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-03-10
TIE CARNIVAL.


The celebration of the annual Saturnali,
ny "hlch Italian custom uslIers in the fast
D! Lent, has proved this year a very miser.
able affair indeed. The usual attempts Mt
merriment in the Corso were kept up by
the lowest OF the mob all the best people,
i've vatican, keeping scrupulously within
doors. There were some Infamous pieces
played in the theatres-pieces which it is
needless further to particularize than by
tEe remark that they would not be per-
mltted in the theatres of apy other conntrv
in Europe. One feels unable to conceive
how religion and common dccency conli
he more scandalously outraged than thew
arc at present by the press and stage Of
Rome.
LENTEN PREACHERS.
On Thursday last, the Pope delivered a
very beautiful address to the Lcnten
preachers for Rome. Padre Curci has fin
lshed his lectures on the books of the Mac
cabees ut the Gesu, and is gone to Florenc.
to preach the Lent there. We have no
English preacher this Lent-in Rome. 1t is
a want which is much felt here.
rOLEMIcs.
The new feature in Roman Goings is the
institution of discussions on controversial
topics. The Protestant disclaimers have
not been allowed to have it all their own
way. 1t has been their custom for some
lime to vaunt their own powers by the
publication of challenges, not expecting,
their gasconadng would be hon
'red with any notice. The other evening,
however, two Waldensian preachers of the
James of Sciarelli and Pigotti, gave out that
hey would demonstrate with moral ce-ti-
ude that st. Peter never was at Rome. The
ecture was to be free, and any one who !
hose might reply. At the appointed hour, ,
large assemblage having been convened. .
I6nn mn tad ha I
vhen the room was entered by seven t
riests, accompanied by several mem bers q
f the "Societa degf Interest," Cattolici." i
nd announced their readiness to accent 7
be challenge. AT this unexpected. and it =
Jay be presumed unwelcome, turn of af- ,
sirs, Signor Sciarelli was visibly discon-
arted. He complained of the inequality g
the match, two against seven, and pro- a
Osed to defer the controversy to a more il
,nvenient season. There was, however, nj
} escape; SO the prelimnaries for the !,
ordy battle bad at once to be put in train. "
n interview took place the next morning, III
hen articles were signed and charmen on
pointed, and time and place fixed for the lie
scussion. On the first day Of the discus or
IN, which took place at the Palazzo Sa- -
nj, Signor Sciarelli opened the argument, w.
d endeavored to prove by chronology ~
ut st. Peter never could have been at til
me, as his mission was to the Jews. an
a, who4howed with great clearness that 10
chronology of st. Peters life is by no
ans settled with sufficient certainty to q.
used as the basis of n controversial ar IL
ment. He next contended that, even an
owing ST. Peters mission to have been III;
,lusively to the Jews, yet Rome was
very place for him to exercise that Or,
,sion, as the Hebrews were to be found -
great numbers at the metropolis of the
.ient world. Also, that the Fathers fire. an
'ntly alluded 10 st, Peter as being at sp'
nc, and that 10 other place ever CLAIMED sta
have been the scene o! his iabors and he
ttyrdom. The next speaker was an
vangcIicai' Missioner, whose name |
NOT catch. II ; OIatipn was a mere cx- l.
son 0i iu"rctiTc without any pcrccpti- Gul
bearing GA he point under discussion. -,
zen this gentlemen had exhausted his as
ok of 'pthcts and o.: breath, he was dan
mly and cautiously replied to by the Dirt
Toco OF san Tammaso di ParIonc, who act
wcred all his attacks in an effective sci
nner. Then GavazEi, who was on the the