Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-08-19
Alexa. Gazette e. Virginia Advertiser
THE CATACOMBS.

THE CATACOMBS.
A correspondent writing from Rome, says:
''Fancy narrow subterranean walk varying
from two to seven feet in width, twisting into
thousand angles and three hundred and fifty
miles in length, Such were the ancient cata-
combs. They have been filled IN, walled up,
and left to their eter6al night, many Of them;
some of the underground trails have been lost
or forgotten these Thousand years, but St. Ca
lxtus is still marvel, full Of mystery and hor
rors and romance No one ventures into its
labyrntbs without an expert guide, and the
number and length OF the wax tapers that are
necessary to complete a successful exploration
is supIy alarming In the midst OF a meadow
we found pair of steps that led US into the
bowels of the earth.
The guide unlocked the door at the foot of
the stairs and our party entered; the doar was
locked after us, the lights were lit, the guide
led US into dark alley that smelt warm and
earthly; one after another in silence, We tracked
that guide through avenues that seemed end
less for the shadows crowded in upon Us op-
pressivciy and our tapers burned but teebly.
Up stairs and down stairs, to right and left, we
wandered like band of lost spirits. We hung
on 10 each others coat tails and grew more and
more intimate, as we felt our hold on lite and
our dependence on the remorseless man who
was burying US alive, Increase. What if our
lights went out or he was to desert US?
What if the earth should lall-the soft tutta
rock. that you could scratch with your thumb
nail? 1t grew uncomtoraby hot; it was not
pleasant to have the whole party croNVdiog on
to your heels, nor pleasant to be 10 the midst
OF it with 20 chance OF escape IN case OF panic;
but it was worse than all to be the last man,
who was halt the time around the corner III
darkness, and liable TO drop off into chaos or
Oblivion at the shortest notice. There were
several small chapes, with the remnants Of alt
ars and half obliterated frescoes to be inspect
ed. Many Pope has slept here bis final sleep,
aud many saint and martyr: but the bones OF
these revcred oues have beeu more gorgeously
eDshriued aud the dark city Of the dead is now
nearly deserted.
1t was 10 those winding ways that Miriam"
of the Marble Fawn met her dismal model; it
was here that Haus Andersen lmproVisato-
re- had his adventure with the young artist,
and here is laid much of the scene of that most
fascinating and patriotic story "Fabiola." How
congregations of worshipers ever survived the
uuholy darkness of these tombs | know not;
yet 10 the third century Christian Rome was
driven like hares to these burrows. Here they
worshiped, lived died and were buried.
WOMEN Stock BROKERS. Among the most
curious types OF Paris life are the women stock
brokers' the female gamblers, both bulls aud
bears. They are not allowed inside the Bourse,
its rules excluding womeu and children. They
are therefore forced to promenade under the
trees, like the old Greek philosophers. The
character of these brokers is 90 the whole re-
pul>ive; they are often retired cooks or house
keepers, and though better perhaps than Wood
hull aud Clahin, their appearance Is not agree
able. They are generally from forty to seventy
years Of age. They never wear other than Sec
ond hand clothes, being guided solely 10 the
selection by the fact that it is necessary to have
some; their dresses are short sometimes
bought so; sometimes the end becomes frayed,
and reeef is taken iu. They wear wooden
shoes or sabots, in many cases vanished, aud
their umbrellas date from the rainy season OF
the time of Moab. Some have spectacles
in which they look sill more hideous: all have
gloves out at the fuger ends. On the arm
hangs bag containing the script and money 10
which they deal. for all transactions take place
on the spot; together with paper to note the
hourly fluctuations in the funds and to record
business done; their pencils are cut at both
ends iD the expectation they will last Logger.
They are en- rapport with scouts in every way
in keeping with themselves who are constantly
prowlug under the perstyle to oVerhear the
gossip of brokers' touters and clients, and bring
log the news. to the female word--tapping one
on the shoulder, retiring apart, and communl
eating some astounding piece of intelligence.
1t is remarked that bachelors in Paris, when
feeling themselves smsten, visit this part OF
the Bourse, aud 10 three minutes fnd them
selves cured Of the heartache.
The MlLLINER Princess. An English
judge lately had before him case entitled
Turner vs. Bonaparte, in which motion was
made for an injunction against Prince Pierre
Napoleon Bonaparte and Princess Ju>tina
Eleanor Nina Bonaparte, his wife The plain
tiff was Mrs. Turner, formerly miiner at 81
New Bond street, London, who, by her bill,
stated that 10 1872 the Princess was residing
in this country aud carrying 90 the business OF
d milliner at No. 81 New Bond street, and
about the close OF that year had purchased
Mrs. Turner's business, (but without paying
the purchase money! and continued to carry 1t
on with her own. The bill stated further that
the plaintiff had lately discovered that the
Princess had entered into contract to dispose
of the business, and was about to leave tor Bel
GUM without paying the plaintiff. She ac-
curdIDgly moved Tor an Injunction 10 restrain
the Prluce and Princess from parting with the
business and stock in trade, or with certain pic.
lures which it was said had been deposited
with MessrS. Moraut, of No. 81 New Bond
street. as security for the purchase money. The
Prince is at present residing at Rochtort, IN
Belgium The vlce-chancellor made an inte-
rim order iu the matter. Prince Pierre, it will
be remembered, was source OF continual
trouble to his late ex. Imperial cousin when the
latter was at the Tuileries.
BREAKFAST FOR WORKING GIRLS. The
"omeu's Industrial Society Of New York an-