The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-08-23

Popes. Near by IN small building is the
Scala Santa, fight Of 20 marble steps
said to be those ascended by Christ when
entering the Judgment Holl, in Jerusalem.
They are enclosed and no one is permitted
to pass mp but on their knees. At the time
YEARLY MP the ascent 1t was midway up
these stairs tDat Luther, recalling the
words, "the just shall live by faith" sud-
denly rose to his feet and descended.
South OF the city, about mile beyond
the walls s the church Of st. Paul, built on
the tradtionsry burial place of the great
apostle to the genties. The exterior is ex-
ceediugly plain, but nothing can surpass
the magnifeence and richness Of the inter.
ior. On each side Of the nave is double
row Of columns OF great beauty and the en-
tire interior is decorated with fne marbles
and mosaes. The canopy over the high
altar is supported by columns of Oriental
alabaster with pedestals Of malachite, and
the same costly ornanentation abounds
throughout the bulning.
The oataeombs OF Rome are among the
most interesting features Of that wonderful
! city. They nre not as is usually supposed
directly under the city, but are scattered
without the walls on all siies, These vast
subterranean charnel houses were original
ly quarres but in later years we're u sed rs
burial places. The passages are usually
from seven to eight feet in hight and four
or We feet wide, the chambers of the dead
being In tiers at the sides Many of them
are now vacant, but others still contain
their ghastly deposits, while here and there
a grinaing skull ur some other fragment is
all that remains of the skeleton. The cata.
combs OF ST. Calixtus an the Appian Way
were visited by us and are OF especial in
terest as containing the tombs OF several OF
the early popes, as well as about 10000
persons Of more lowiY rank.
Throughout the city are many places
pointed out by tradition as connected with
incidents in the lives Of Peter aud Psul.
The Mamertine prison, built $40 years be-
t1re Christ, near the Arch of Septmius
SeyeTus is well identified and was undoubt
edly the scene OF many tragedies related by
historians. The pillar is still shown to
which Peter and Paul were chained aud
also the spring which burst forth miracu-
lnusla TO enable Peter to baptise his jailors.
The spring, however, is unfortunately men
toned by Plutarch as existing more than
a century before. The prison consisted of
two cells cut out of the solid rock, one
above the other, with an opening at the
top through which the condemned were
let down. In the "Ghetto," or Jews quar-
ter, is pointed ont the "hired bnuse" oc:u.
pied by Paul during the three years Of his |
stay IN Rome. 1t is now occupied by a
bakery.
But the extent to which this letter has
already grown cnmpels us ~ pass on with
scarcely mention of the famous Trojan'-
Column; the ancient Theatre of Marcellus;
the Temple OF Vesta, near the bridge SO
bravery defended by Hrratius; the Cloaca
Maxlma or great sewer, built nearly 2,5t0
years ago and still in perfect repair; the
ancient aqueducls which crossed the plans
about the city on series of arches miles in
length; the modern fountains. which furn-
ish an abundant supply of pure water; the
ruins of the Baths Of Caraca LA, which con-
tanned accommodations for over Zoo
hathers at time; the ancient churches Of
Santa Maria Magglore, Santa Croce, ST. Ce
clla aud many others; the Bnrghese, the
Barberlni the Rospigliosi end other palaces
with their almost invaluable art collections,
us well as many places of minor import.
ance.
AS we wander about the streets Of this
rity that once ruled the world. and view
the ruins of its anoieht magnifcance, cur
admiration Tor the ability aud power of
those grand old Romans who once trod its
streets increases, and our contempt inr the
degenerate race which now occupies this
fair land develops in proportion. Whether
it will ever regain its former magnitude or
realze the hopes aud traditions of It's
foun nlers and prove an Eternal city" we
cannot tell. It's past belongs to history.
Its future is with God C. L. N.