Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-09-20
LETTER FROM ITALY.
Trip to q Mountain Top Be
fore the Dawn.
A Peculiar Annual. Festival
Attended.
charming Description Of scenes
Charming Description Of scenes
and Ceremonies.
From our regular correspondent.
MoxT ArIwn,o -.

From our regular correspondent.
MONT ALLEaRo, ITALY,
August %, 1883.
EDTroR L~RDaHa-This morning NJ I
am. l was awakened by my guidefo as
cend this high mountain, TO witness one
Of the great festivals Of the people who in
habit the valley Of this and contiguous
mountains. l asked the origin OF this
festival, and was told that In 1885, when
the cholera was claiming the people OF
this country by hundreds and thousands
for its victims, the inhabitants of these
valleys made a pilgrimage, barefooted,
TO Mont Allegro, and implored their be-
loved patr0ness 10 preserve them from
this fatal plague. Their prayers and sup
plications being acceptable to Col, they
received the grace they asked for. Not
one died that memorable year, or has died
since of this much dreaded disease.
Every year,on the last Sunday Of August
they have solemnly vowed TO perpetuatC
these pious exercises and pilgrimage in
Thanksgiving for their deliverance. All
seem to DO imbued with this spirit. Old
men and women bowed with age and care
youths and maidens iAir, as Wordsworth
expresses II they
Wear upon their forehead clear,
The freedom Of q m~ountaineer."
Little children, too, lend their young
hearts and tairy steps TO the days solem,
nifty. 1t is for all, old and young, a day
Of hearts rejoicing. Often have / hearc
said that 'the way TO HEAVIER
was rugged, narrow and long, Often.
times did / think of this as l was wendinl
my way up, up 10 the summit. Time AMI
again 1 exclaimed, II am tired anC
often stopped by the wayside to rest me
This sounds affected, no doubt, but reall,
am very easily fatigued. The leas
little exertion does me up. Tow
life, l suppose. One accustomed h
climbing mountains can easily ascenl
Mount Allegro in two hours. 1t tool
me four.
1.-THE first and simplest emotions whic'
we discover in the human mind is curl
osity." Yes, / must confess that it wa
with a mingled feeling Of curiosity that
climbed this mountain TO take part in tn
days festivities. But once the ascent
made, curiosity vanishes and intense in
terest takes its place. / forget that 1 an
tired, and gaze about me rs one awakene
from q delightful dream. The scene is in
deed charming beyond description. IA
pole, st. Marguerite and Posto Elmo stan
out in bold relief at the base efthe mouH
tain. The roar OF the ocean below break
ing itself upon the giant rocks. is truly j
strange contrast TO the chirp-ch'rp of tn
little birds above. A baby wind e roam
ing here and there amongst the flower
and scattering the sweet scented perfum
Of the mown hay far and near. A shadol
from tho trees in the back ground fall
athwart a ~crouching Venus. The ey
never tires of admiring the wondrou
beauties Of nature. Joyously and gayl
they all ascend the mountain, and as the
feet touch the velvet grass they all, as
with n breath Of love, seem TO forgl
pain. There IS no life Of love withol
pain, and hence some moments in silel
prayer in view of Madonna del Mont
Then they all scatter, some TO rest the
weary limbs, stretch themselves upon Il
soft sward, some seek the pretty rocl
which are scattered about glittering in Il
: silvery light Of the moon making fair
I like seats, and others pursue Their couri
toward the church 10 be present at II
Mesa del Alba In my eagerness
! witness all, / 90 to church. Without, b.
for the pale light Of the moon, all is {
lently dark; within, sunshine Is beamir
everywhere. The heavy and richl
: adorned chandeliers reflect the
: brilliant rays in every direction. II
lighted candles-about Ave hundred
number-shed.a soft halo about the san
tuary which stills all TO silent and de,
veneratlon. The church Is already fill,
with faithful worshipers. The priest 50
|. EMMY p~rononnees "Ette Missa Est
, blesses the people and they all retire
, make room fer the procession, which h
formed and is nearing the church. Fir
8 comes II Sacerdote, accompanied by Il
most prominent men OF the congregatio
carrying on their shoulders rich %offerinI
barrels Of oil and wine-then your
men, the young ladies in white vel
carrying lighted tapers, followed |
Thousands Of women and children. A
are chanting psalms, hymns aud litani
Of alteration AMI praise 10 their Create
Seine have to remain on the piazza as t
sacred edilce is soon filed TO its capacit
During mass nearly all receive holy col
munion 70 complete their tokens Of 10
and Thanksgiving, NAME,