Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-20

marbles and artistic decorations
altogether form picture
of wonderful beauty and harmony.
From the center of the church the
view down the nave to the choir and
from the right to the left transeit, is
one of superlative magnihcence.
| Certainly no effort of inspired genius
has produced on earth an architectural
monument superior to the matchless
basilica of St. Pieatro in Natioano.
Long in the distant future will inger
| in our memory the enhancing picture
| of this superb edi6ce, the master pro.
duction OF Michael Angelo, mightiest
| of architects, as well as the most tai
ented sculptor and painter among earth
born artists. Besides the stupendous
central dome, there are l6 smaller
ones, each with its special mosaic
adornment. Beneath the towering
dome is the high altar crowned by a
bronze canopy richly ornamented in
relivo, the whole reaching to aheiGht Of
nearly one hundred feet. The tomb
of ST. Peter is below the altar within a
eirclet OF nine lamps, which are always
kept burning Near one of the four
grand and principal pillars which sup
port the dome is the famous bronze
statue Of St. Peter, the toe of which
is almost worn away by the kisses Of
devout pilgrims who are constantly
kneeling before the statue and touch
ing the right foot with their lips. The
statue is seated on a throne OF white
marble, and has been in existenceabout
l4O0 years. After examining the num-
erous chapels within the main edi6ce,
we visited the treasury of st. Peters.
situated beyond the sacristy. Here
many rare and precious jewels, to-
gether with master pieces of the sill
versmith's art, after designs by
Michael Angelo and Cellini. Within
richly ornamented glass cases are the
robes and sacred relics of prelates and
men high 10 state, and the church.
The coronation robe worn by Charlie
mango 1000 years since, looks as fresh
as though made but yesterday. The
vessels used in sacramental service at
different important periods during
the last ten or twelve centuries
are disposed in securely
locked cases along the walls
Of the treasury. We were shown one
Of the veritable nails from the true
cross and a missiVe emerald ring given
to st. Peter himself.
ROME, May 9.
This afternoon we visited the church
Of st. Maria dell Concezione. In the
church proper there is but little to
interest one, but below the sacred edis
fee are four vaults used for burial
purposes that are embellished in a
most won lerful and startling manner.
They have taken the bones of all the
deceased members of the adjoining
Capuchin monastery and have used
them for forming the sides of the
vaults. More than 1000 skeletons are
thus utilized. The caverns are arched
overhead, and they are covered with
bones made into festoons and flowers.
On each side aud at the back of the
little alcoves there are cells made Of
the bones, and here reclines the skele.
ton of some monk dressed in the gar.
ments he wore when alive, his skull
grinning from beneath his cowl, and
bis feshless fingers projecting beyond
his coat sleeves. OAe skeleton of
member of the BsrbaTini family, who
had been a patron to this monastery,
was displayed full length on the ceiling
it was CHASTITY sight, and not easily
to be forgotten. The floor of each
vault is made ready for the reception
of the next candidate for these horrid
honors, We we're told that the earth
was brought from Jerusalem, and that
each monk digs his own grave, and
daily goes to look at the spot where his
bones are to rest for few years until
they are ready to be transferred to
their final position on the walls of
these dismal cells. The last alcove is
made into a temple, with an altar for
conducting the religious services of
their faith. Once a year they illumi-
nate this burial place, and have ser
vices for the souls of the dead whose
bodies are inferred there. The gem
tlemen Of our party went into the
monastery to see the living monks in
their dark brown garb and sandals
on their feet. Only once year ladies
are allowed within these sacred pre-
cipGts. From here we went to more
cheerful place, the Barberini Palace, to
see collection Of pictures. Here is
the original Of that celebrated paint
ling, Beatrice Cenci," by Guido
REM, which we found 10 be a very
lifelike production. 1t is a perfect
gem, and but few copies catch the
artists expression. The photographs
from the original are preferable to any
painted copies we have seen. There
was also famous picture by Raphael,
THE FornsTina," which but for the
name would have been passed as a
luNcb uiulHoAy pluuuCllOus OuE next
visit was to the Palazzo Borghese
where we had a rare treat in exsmin.
ing the beautiful paintings and other
artistic treasures. Some Of Raphael'G
pictures 10 this gallery are known
wherever art has a home, the most
notable being "Tke Rntombment Of
Our Savior" and one Of the famous
Madonnas from the pencil of the su.
perlatiye artist. Another Madonna
, by Andrea del Sarto has world wide
reputation. 1.-THE Danae Of Correg
giO" and "The Scourging Of Christ,
, by Sebastian del PrombO, are charac,
teristic productions Of those famous
masters. Here are also pictures By
Domenichino and by Titan, notably
! "The Amor Sage Proiano" (earthly
) and heavenly love), by the last named
artist. We have visited no collection
9 Of paintings which We more thoroughly
= enjoyed than these in the famou
Q borgaese palace.