The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-02-15
ZINC nuMnx1rs xxlsE
a Regal Celebrates II msasr sf the Tatssu
sains sf the Missrisesdia.

N8AootTuDo
sains 81 the Missrissrdia.
FLoRENcE, Jan. 2a-On the 21st of this
month King Humbert was the manager Of the
feast at the celebration OF st. Sebastian. tho
patron saint OF tho famous Association Of the
Misericordia in Florence. Two years ago Hum
bert and his brother Amadeo rom aiming several
days In Florence. won't to visit tho Church and
tho rooms Of this ancient association, regis
tered their names among tho brothers. and
wero Immediately raised TO the highest rank
Of the brotherhood. which II the capo di
ottardia. head Of the watch. Very few tourists
In Florence have missed seeing tho Mseri-
cordia at work. Turning into one Of the
narrow little streets. how many times you
meet. either night or day. long line Of
mon dressed In black gowns. with hoods
over their faces and wearing wide black hats.
whose brims hang over their shoulders. follow
Ing leader who bears TORCH and carrying on
their shoulders Q stretcher with O sick or
wounded or dead man inside. Tho disguised
men, who recall the Holy Hermandnd OF Spain.
and look like regular ghosts. tho elite OF tho
city. belonging to every rank. always ready at
2 moment's call to do the Same service which
In New York is performed by ambulances. As
sa The Ss Of doS Ssy eel
and an. the bfethren leave their shops or their
and ala the chapel next to
Any man can be a brother. soldier, n priest.
sow Inc a 1sresso ~ eondon o aSf
the philanthopic aim levels every social ine-
".o Sassss asYs ns rand The The
same dangers and faced death with the same
Until S the hses % 1n On
little beds, dressed ready Tor work.
Thero s t'n or s 5ass s@H ssr
wIo seT rye In turn m each BE owl day In the
.e o eaS % who or ts
brothers when they go out. Some have charge
and do II 50 well that even rich people request
their services; These are called mutdnt; Some
ard AFRO called nottanh,
The origin OF this brotherhood 10 singular.
the dsys Of when the were
them 80 rich that the daughters OF woo!ien
Giovanni. i seems that cur;ins and swearing
Borsi. Iryina to reform his swearing com pan,
that with this money a litter should be bought
their homes or to tho Hospital The periers
liked the idea: and n time their association
grew in numbers ana in power. many wealthy
men leaving large legacies to it. Now 1t owns
esa dsenss to- to-
register his name among the brothers II posi-
ship; All tho rulers Of Florence and dali ali the
resident am bas sadors, and even the nuncios OF
King hImbert and his brother solicited the
honor which has been solicited by emperors
When sick. the brothers are supported by
get dowries for their daughters il they marry
Nearly 1--WE centurie, Of existence have not in
ss h d0
reyplntions have followed revolutions; but tho
hna fyht
snspended every luminosity. and Guelphs and
ana lib
z while their enmities and Joined hands in
deeds OF charity
81 hs Ss st s
three brothers have charge OF his feast. One 81
one preate and s one sorEnsmsn II
kings turn ,, comes he serves e. alone such was
Of the feast ranges betwsen 5000 and ID ' 500
francs: The greater part is borne by the noble;
the notGns The brothe ssn rscs sH
from the Irstaioh some bread, called in Flor
nehes and
OF little loaves one In the centre and the others
They receive more or less of these loaves &C.
cording TO their rank in the company. They re-
sSo sd1 81 s pesSr 9.
THY naT msdA - 70. the
sS e. ns
the besSou sacrament exposed TO pubic vene-
ofths abisst jewellers OF Florence. Set with dia-
like $4,000, The gift of the brothcrs was a
silver medal. worth about $40. 1t represented
st. Sebastian shot down with arrows on the
palatine. when he belonged to. tho ImDsral
Guard. The minor brothers had q bronze
medal. The cdpO di 0udrdid had two. one
6r3ne "a and and one silver As tho King was
him. Sixty persons. Generals. civil oill-
religious ceremony by order Of tho King. The
Archbishop read mass. at which all the royal
military and civil household OF Florence were
present: including tho Project Of Florence.
we're royalty decorated with Gobeltns and
furniture from tho Pitt Palace. anda royal
lunch was served on royal silverwsre. The dis
play, OF flowers and candles was profuse. and
the Roman question was easily left aside whom
Generals and prelates sat at the same table
feastinK oyer the gift OF Capo di Guardia I'M
ber'tO dt Saroid.
Thirty five years ago one would no moro
have dreamt Of such thing than Of the fail OF
the cupola Of Bruneleschi.