The New York herald., 1878-02-08

decay, through the lapse Of time white the elements
shared IN the work OF destruction through earth
quake which bad the effect OF shaking even giant
pillars. Thus, in the beginning OF the nineteenth
century the wonderful structure was found In weak
and tottcring condition. fated be numbered among
the ruins OF Rome. The Inhabitants Of the Eternal
City looked timdiy around ana conssmpaisd mourn
fully the wreck OF . bygone grsstness-indeed, ro-
garded II a an evil forerunner OF history or q
summons which implied warning OF the end OF
Rome's glory.
DrREYuL PROPHECIES
Between each OF the pillars In tho old Basil,ca
rccesses constructed in hch from the earliest
period down TO modern times busts had been placed
OF each succeeding Pope. But the year 1928 thcrs
remained only OF tncse recesses vacant awaiting
the bust OF the coming Pope The Romans umidly
whispered TO each other expressing Tears lest tho
Papacy would come 10 an end with the hug OF this
las, niche. Vague hints thrown out that ter
ribe calamity was 10 botall the Holy City. The
Romans had learnt lesson from the history Of other
nations they apparently felt that hazardous prophe
cies often turned into truths Thus Il had hap.
pened at Frankforton-thc-Main,t the city where the
coronation OF the German Emperors used to take
place. There, around the hall known as the "Kaiser
saal are recesses in which rescoes placed rep
rcsenting each succeeding Emperor Of Germany.
Tho portrait OF Francis H. had nlled out the last
vacant recess, thus had been closed series OF
German Emperors AS II TO stamp with truth the
terrible prophecies which had long been mut.ersd by
the people pass that, in the year 1905, the
Emperor Francis II. renounced tho crown Of the
Germaro- Roman Empire
There was still another analogy Al Venice, iu the
large ball OF the palace Of Dogss there remained
three places In the upper lunettes foHsAe
cept,on OF portraits OF Doges. Those have v2ed
the hall remember In the Of the lett side tho
evil looking recess who're In lieu Of portrait found
black screen oa which the omnous words are writ
en:-"MariDo Faiiero, beheuded in expiaton OF his
crimes" Ncar the fatal Yecsss side by side placed
the portraits Of the unfortunate mans predecessor
and successor the remaining lunette being flied
out by portrait Of the Dogs Manini. He was indeed
the las, Doge Tor In the year 1898 the veneuan Re-
public succum6ei.
1854 DUAL CALAMITY.
Perhaps the Romans had taken alarm at these incl
dents perhaps they trembled lest tho remaining va
cancy the recess OF the Basilica OF ST. Paul might
be construed as evil omen. A general feeling OF
depression had seized the inhabitants OF the
Eternal City. the mind Of the people was
imbued with vague notions tending 10 forebode the
downfall OF the sovereignty OF tho Holy See
Cnristisn world.
Suddenly, during tho nights Of lhe 18th to 18th
July, 1929 Rome was startled by the cry Are. The
Inhabitants learned tho sad news that San Paoo Fuor
10 Mura was In fames During that same night the
Pope Plus VII. dying state. Stretched on his
couch lay the Ponsf, restless, tossing to and fro
under suffering agones OF lever. With loud and
painful moan the ayng preiate exclaimed In voice
OF anguish that vision mad appeared TO him, which
ioreboded that the Roman Church would suffer great
trials. To spare him from increased pain Tho disaster
xvss ~ ntra tod N Shs pov ~
Plus VII died without hearing Of the destruction Of
the Baslica Of ST. Paul.
THE CONFEDERATION
The origin Of the connagrAtion has been traced to
the negligence OF workmen who were occupied In 70.
pairing tho root OF tho Basica; sparks OF nre, or
molten lead ust have escaped from the brassr and
caused the woodwork to ignite. The rooi according
old chronclers consisted OF cedar WOOD brought espe
cially from Mount Lebanon for IN the cohstruo-
tion Of tho Basiica. IL naturally Afforded rich fuol,
considering that tho timber had besn thoroughly dried
out during centures The flames had spread with the
rapidly OF lightning and, with the work Of dcssruc.
tion suocumbed all tho magnificent mosaics which
namented tho aars the rich statuary, valuable en-.
GIGS and rare specimens Of crucinxss. One hundred
and thrty-two columns, which supported the roof IN
majestic spendor and representing true forest Of
marble, disappeared or were bAcked by the ailds-
vourins element and VIII it the tour apa sWspty
Corintniau columns OF worldwide repown, which
we're, with exquisite symmotry, distributed in tho In
terror. Tho latter consisted Of violet MARBLE each
representing ono block; they had boon taken by one
OF the pontrs from the mausoleum OF tho Adrians
now tho Castle ST. Angelo.
The morning Of July 10 found tho glorious odiNce
converted into heap OF ruins ana a mass Of ashes,
and on the samo morning, IN tho Laterap there was
another wreck Of that which the previous day con.
sttuted glory and emnencc. The Popo Plus VII. be-
fore whom until then the entire Catholic world
devouty bent the knee, was q lifelsss corpse.
But The same time Tho fatal spell was broken; tho
omen had disappeared In respect 70 tho last vacant
niche in the Basilica, and with that disappearance
were oblitsrated all fears regarding the superstous
notion OF The last Pope. A newly elected Pontin fol-
lowed tho deceased.
A SURPRISE FOR YOUNG MAsrAIYERRxrrI.
On that very morning when the Basilica disap-
peared, whom tho ominous object relating to the
prophecy was turned to ashes, when Pope Plus VII.
departed from this world-on that same morning
In the harbor Of Leghorn vessel preparing
10 60 to The ships destination was Cbih
whittier n had TO convey ~ passengers the
Pontincal representative. Archbishop Muzi and
several pious companions Al the hour which
had been nxed for departure. and when the nom.
bers forming the Papal Mission preparing
TO takc tho boats whefewtth 70 reach the ship then
laying IN tho stream, mounted messenger was seen
rapidly making his way toward tho departing priests
Tho messenger was tho bearer OF iotter to one of
the young priests attached to the mission Of the Arch
bishop. Scarcely had no opened tho letter and hur-
ricdIy glanced the writing when the young priest
sank his knees, sobbng bitterly. The letter nc.
qusintsd him that Plus VII. was not expected 10 sur
vive. Tho young priest TO whom the letter had been
delivered was Count Giovanni Mastai FerestL
-g WAS HE7
Who vas hsf To whom, st that period, was he
known mac
Giovanni Maria Mastai-Forrstt. OF the noble house
OF Masta, was born on the i3sn Of May, l76z the
town OF Sinigagla in the States Of the Church. Italy
Sngaga, built on the banks Of the Mysa, looks out
on the Adratic The period Of its foundation dates
back to the invasion OF Italy by the Gauls The family
OF Mtai be traced back to the thirteenth century
IL constantly furrsned chiefs OF the from
49, C...St n.s~ sh. - r.A.