The New York herald., 1879-09-30

church singing the same hymn Of praise. descending
the steps backward and kissing each step as with
apparent reluctance they abandon the sacred spot.
The peasantry OF the environs OF Loreo seem to be
very we'll of in comparison with the pilgrims from
the southern provinces to judge by the smartness Of
their costumes and the air Of enjoyment with
which they swarmed into the town for the amuse-
ments rather than the devotion OF the festival do
Others familiarity breeds contempt" but sup
pose that living so to say within the precincts OF
the Holy House. they can pay their devotions to the
Madonna whenever they please They are very
good looking. and especially the women have
COO uettish air which shows they are not uncon-
scions of their charms Their costumes are very
effective although they consider stockings to be
superfuities. and their love of ornament is dis
played strikingly in their earrings, of which they
wear three pairs in each grand occasions.
FUN OF ToMBoLA.
am sorry to be Obliged to chronicle the misbe-
havior Of these peasants in the afternoon, on the
occasion OF the to0t60id lottery, unfailing
feature in religious festivals here which drawn
in the Paxzi del CALI and which gave rise to dis
pute. ending in u free fight, during which. usual
in Italy, knives were drawn and thirteen of the
combatants were moro or less seriously wounded.
could not ascertain the exact motive Of the fray,
but whatever it was 1t was doubtless greatly
bated by wine OF which great abundance Is made on
the estates OF the Holy House. or the ford state
OF the sacred collars in former times testify
by visit which / paid to them. when found q
with the renowned one known the "Botte della
Santa Casa" capable of holding 800 sor,'e
600 barrels) of wine Unfortunately these butts
now all empty, as the government admnistra-
tor prefers letting out all the farms and vineyards
belonging to the Holy House ut money rentals. IN
practised on the old system OF mezzara or sharing
The produce of lands between the proprietor the
cultivator. which is still extensively practsed
this province Of La Marca The vespers, with
solemn music. the horse races. tombola and fire.
works. which are indispensable every where in
ally here, being over there universal
move out of Loreto. and the trains on the Brn-
dist line all an hour behind time in their
rivals north and south.
ART IN IT'S RELIGIOUS Aspects.
For people desirons of really appreciating the nu
merous works of art and architecture to be in
Loreto it is better. as have found. to have few
days for quiet inspection after the noisy and
crowded festival is over have. therefore. been
joying the sights, which all comprised in COM
paratlvely small compass, chiefly around the Piazza
della Madonna. These the Basilica. which is the
only church in Loreto, rather a remarkable crcum-
stance in an Italian town Of eight nine thousand
inhabitants; the Apostolic Palace the portico Of
Bramante, the fountain adorned with bronze tritons
and dragons, the bronze statue of Sixtus w., who,
being native of this province. was one Of the
principal benefactors OF the Holy House; the
Treasury, the Spezieria or Pharmacy, which pro-
vides medicines for sick aud needy pilgrims. and
which possesses series of 150 vases of majolica
ware painted by pupils of Raphael. Giulio. Romano
and Michael Angelo from their designs. The sub
jects historical. biblical and NEUROLOGICAL. and
the collection. which was presented to the Holy
House by Francesca Maria, Duke Of Urbino, is con-
sidered unique and beyond all price. 1t is
placed. for greater safety, In separate in the
Apostolic Palace To enumerate the rich artisticai
yond the limits Of this letter. The facade is by
Ventura and the three bronze gates are consid-
cred hardly inferior to those of Pisa. The
church has three naves. and over the sanctuary
rises immense cupola, constructed by
Paul us architect, Giuliano da Maiano.
which may almost rival the domes built by
Brunelleschi at Florence and Michael Angelo at
Rome. The Holy House is Of course. of simple
STYLE except the black and white marble pavement
put to replace the original flooring. which tell out
when the house left Palestine The walls are OF
plain bricks which unbelievers declare to be denti
cal with those made at this day in the neghboring
valley of Musone. But in the mural compartments
around the sanctuary the bas-relefs Of Sansovino
and other sculptors representing the story of tho
who foretold the Messiah, admirable specimens
Of canQae co art. In short for painting and scup
ture. the sanctuary of Loreto is veritable museum
and for riches the treasury is again very rcspect
able collection. One Of the first objects that met
my eye there was gold chace presented by the
unfortunate Maximilian, who met with such tragi-
cal fate in Mexico