The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-16

IIl1OUEufug--fHufcUzs were ZOE Tue
services Of the day. The ornamentation
were mainly In Grape, beautiful cross Of
| lief to;the habiliments of woe. The railing
around the sanctuary and the gas-fxtures
about the galleries also came In for a share
OF the decorations. s. s.
| s. TIE CATAFALoUE. I.
The taste and artistic skill;oi the sons OF
Italy, who had special charge Of the deco
ration, OF the catafalQue, as well as the main
portion of the other work, had been brought
into the fullest requisitfon, and their art
natures and knowledge willingly self-taxed
to do honor to the memory OF their great
countryma and spiritual father, Pi0 Mono.
The cataf falque stood in the main aisle, q
number OF the front pews-six on each
side--having been removed to make space
for the structure, which was eleven feet In
length, and about seven feet in width at the
base, and over twenty feet in height. At
the height OF about five feet the dimensions
Of the cGtafdtqae were lessened by success
sive layers or steps, each one OF which on
the sides and tops had been subjected to
skiIful handling, and were lit up by wax
tapers in beautiful caDdelabra. These
lights, almost innumerabfe in number,
extended all round the structure. On
the floor, at the sides aud in front, stood
huge candlesticks with tapers lighting the
lower portion. On the top Of the cGtafdtq1e,
on wreath Of i1nTortetteS, stood globe
surmounted by an evergreen cross, and sus-
pended above the whole was the dove OF
peace. These belongings carry their own
meaning, and need no verbal enlargement
to render them comprehensive. On the
lower front Of the structure was placed the
tiara, or triple crown, painted on shield
the symbol Of apostolic authority-and oyer
it, worked in arbor Uitg and inrnortetles,
the name OF &c Pho Nono." On the top Of
the first or main platform, and inside OF the
second, which was arranged as tomb, rest
ed burial-casket covered with black
pail trimmed with silver galloon and having
on ton large white cross. The casket
could be distinctly seen through openings
made at each end and on the sides OF black
cloth, with which the lower portion OF the
catafaLque was surrounded. The edges OF
these openings were. trimmed with heavy
gold bullion. The upper portion OF the
structure was covered in white, ornamented
with neat back-and-white trimmings and
wreaths OF evergreens.
When the innumerable candles on the
catafaigue and affairs, and the many gas
Jets in the Cathedral, were lighted, as they
were during the services, an effect grand
and awe-inspiring was produced even on
the most Indifferent spectator. The whole
work reflects the highest credit on those
having hand in il, and too much praise
cannot be accorded them for the complete
success Of their labors.
THE MUSIC.
The music OF the day was confined strictly
to the Gregorian order; the Cathedral
choir, reinforced by twenty boys and girls,
rendering the difficult chant most credita-
bly,. The young folks who assisted have
been in training for some time past learning
this music, and yesterday was the first time
they have sung it in public, and right we'll
did they acquit themselves. The Mlserere
was sung as the congregation was leaving
the building. Professor F. B. Newheiser
presided at the organ, and to him is mainly
Que the accurate rendition OF the musical
feature of the occasion.
CONCLUSION.
Owing to the crowded condition Of the
Cathedral during the services large num-
Der OF persons were unable to gain admls-
sion. but during the remainder OF the day
many visited the sacred editce to see the
mourning habiliments. ,s,..
The cGtafalque will remain IN statu quo
for two or three days, when it will be taken
down. The draperies in and about the Ca
thedral will, however, not be touched 1or
thirty days unless in the mean time new
Pope is elected, in which event the Church
lii "a o,oo d;yoct itself NJ nil si0ns of woe