The New York herald., 1873-08-16

y
OF Tours. They were buried on the site Of q con-
vent now occupied by the "Ladies Of Perpetual
Adoration.s'
THE MIRACULOUS GRAVE.
The renown Of the miracles which were daily
performed at the tomb Of st. Martin soon attracted
crowds Of pilgrims from all countries, and st.
Brce. successor OF st. Martin, built chapel to re-
ceive them. This chapel proving too small BE-
cause Of their multitude, st. Perpet, who hlled the
See Of Tours sixty-four years after St. Martins
death, erected spacious bassk, which Is de-
scribed in glowing language by st. Gregory, the
historian, and which he mentions as the ricnest
and most remarkable OF the epoch.
On the 4th ofSuly, 47s, the body OF st' Martin
was transferred to tho new tomb which st. fer-
pet had prepared for 1t, and thereafter the 4th OF
July was day set apart In each year Tor the
FESTIVAL OF THE TRANSLATION.
II was upon this memorable day that the body OF
the Saint found Its last resting place upon earth
and. Notwithstanding all the changes and chances
OF after times it was never displaced. In periods
of public trouble, whenever the relics had Deen
temporarily disturbed, they were carefully restoreu
again to the place chosen by st. Perpet.
REDUCING THE SIZE OF CoRPsE
That famous bishop diminished all the bones OF
St. Martin to the size Of an Infants BODY, pound
them closely together, and, having enveioped
them In white shroud he placed them IN large
vase OF alabaster, enclosed within an outer cover
ing of metal made In the form Of o coffin. Having
thus made the
SAINTS RHLICS PORTABLE
he placed them under the high altar, in cave
from five to six feet long and three feet wide.
This cave was llned with metal composed OF
brass and copper mixed with Q little gold. 1t was
closed by doors OF the same composition, and 1t
had four massive locks OF curious workmanship.
slab OF polished marble covered the cave, which
was surmounted by ciborium, or little cupola OF
gold and silver enriched with precious stones and
supported by four columns OF inestimable value.
Upon this tomb the solemn sacrifice OF the mass
was held, distinction which hitherto had been
reserved exclusively for the tombs OF martyrs.
RISE OF CITY.
According to the usage Of the times, st. Perpet
employed o large number Of clerks to sing hymns
continually at st. Martins tomb, and numerous
population soon formed itself around them. Most
towns in Europe owe their origin to camps or
churches. At the beginning Of the sixth century
the magnificent basiIisk raised by St. Perpet was
burned down, but Clotaire L fastened to rebuild
IT in all its splendor.
The worship OF st. Martin and the devotion to
his tomb went on always Increasing Pilgrimages
focked there from all parts OF the world. 1t was
there that kings came to seek promise Of health or
"a PROMISE OF VICTORY"
and there that the queens Of France retired to die.
Popes came to venerate the relics OF the Saint,
and bowed down before them In all the pomp and
ceremony of pontihcal state. Here also was
founded under the auspices of Alcuin, that famous
school OF theology, which was
THE CRADLE OF ALL THE FRENCH UNIVERSITIES
that have since nourished and given laws to learn
ing
Religious ceremonies were held at st. Martins
tomb with great soemnity; nrst BY abbots and
monks especially delegated for the service. after.
wards by numerous chapter under the sole
authority Of the Popes but protected by the Kings
OF France. This chapter owned immense posses
sions; it had the privilege OF coming money, and
| could send an army into the field to defend the
| patrimony Of st. Martin whenever force wal
| needed to do 80.
Their riches attracted the cupidity OF the Nor
mans, who appeared In arms before the town 0
Tours in $685. during the reign OF Charles the Bald
but at the sight Of st. Martins body, borne upol
| the ramparts OF the city, they were
SEIZED WITH PANIC
and took to flight. This miracle is still celebrated
every year, upon the twelfth OF May. under the
name of the Subvention OF st. Martin. Neverthe-
less, toward s53, the Chapter, alarmed by the sue
cesses OF the Normans in other parts Of France de-
the reach Of surprise and capture. With this
object they were conveyed first 10 Orleans, then to
Chabls. and afterwards to Auxerre. The tomb at
Tours remained bereft Of Its precious deposit for
nearly thirty-four years.
BURNING OF ST. MARTINS CHURCH.
The Normans, banked Of their prey, set fire to
ST. Martins Church and carried or Its treasures;
but no sooner was peace re-established than q
temple more beautiful than before arose from Its
ruins. It was called at first Martinopois, but sub
sequently underwent so many transformations
| that It acquired the name, or nickname, OF Cha.
teauneuf and became likewise town, quite distinct
| from Tours.
| SHARP BISHOP.
In sS7 the Dean and Chapter Of st. Martin de-
manded the relics OF the saint from the city o.
Auxerre but the prelate OF the diocese fully aware
| OF their importance, refused to restore them. SC
| the Chapter called out Justify for help. Ingelger
| grandson OF the Duke OF Burgundy, hearing their
outcry, marched an army to their help, and
broagh the city Of Auxerre with Its sharp bishop
to their senses.
1t was great day when the body OF the saint
was brought back, and the event is still celebrated
upon the 14th of December as
THE REvERsIoN OF ST. MARTIN.
The Burgundian troops, huge fellows with much
wine In them, and propensity for making the
inoSt OI tDeH tcnIcVementS, Maue great noise
They insisted on having a triumpnal march, and
came on through the fields or ToUraine with the
fruits Of their victory, amid the call OF trumpets
and the clash OF cymbals, and gave out their ban
ners to the wind. The comm Of the saint wa;
borne by the greatest Of the lords OF Burgundy in
the very midst OF the army; and Ingelger, upon
mighty war horse, rode bareheaded and lance IN
rest before II, with hts helmet hanging by his
and battle axe upon his saddle bows.
An innumerable multitude lined the roads upon
his way and the same miracles were done again
which we're wrought when the saints relics me
up the Loire from Candies to Tours atoretime. The
sick and in6rm were restored to health, and ma
ture herself putting on her fairest robe to honor
the servant Of God, covered her trees with bios
SONS and her meads with flowers.
The basilisk Of 81. Martin was at once restored
TO its ancient glory but In os4 it was burned again
with the town OF Chateauneuf, ID an attack d.