The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-09-17
A SHRINE AND ITS pEYoTEEs.
Some Ofths Legends About Monte Yer
gins-Ths Yearly Pilgrimage.


gins-Ths Yearly Pilgrimage.
Monte Vergine possesses many attrac.
tions. The nights behind the convent
command one OF the most extensive and
striking prospects in southern Italy. The
Christian church was founded In ITO on
the ruins Of temple said to have been
dedicated to Cybele in period earlier than
the very commencement Of Roman his
tory 1t contains tho chapel which Man
fred built for his own resting place, aud
which, after the battle OF Benevento,
Charles presented to one Of his followers
and at once adorned and desecrated with
the lilies OF Anjou, The miraculous plct-
ure of the Holy Virgin, the chief boast OF
the sanctuary, was presented by CathA-
rlns OF ValOis; 1t probably came from tho
east, and possesses considerable archmO-
logical, though no great artistic, interest
In word, 1t is place that repays inspsc-
ton better than many that are more fire.
quently visited, 1t IsnOt on this, how
ever that its celebrity depends; nor Is 1t
for this reason that We call attention to 1t
to-day.
Tho yearly pilgrimage to Monte VerglnO
Is perhaps the most characteristic, as II Is
certainly the most peculiar, of all the fes-
rivals Of Naples and the districts which
Immediately surround It, A number Of
superstitlOns are connected with the pill
grimage, Most OF tho deyotees bring their
own provisions with them, and II clouds
gather round the mountaln'tOps aud rain
threatens 1t is generally believed that some
one has brought meat up the sacred hill.
The crowd Is Infatuated, HuversaCks have
to DO opened and pockets turned inside
out, and II even the remnants Of q musty
sausage are found upon any one, he Is
placed in IN unenYiablo position. Nay, SO
far does this feeling with respect to the
.sancttty OF the mountain go that girls
carefully wash all the pomatum out OF
their hair at MercOgllanO before attempt
ing the ascent, Strange tales are told
round the iield.Rres Of maldens who, hay
ing neglected to do so, have been struck
by lightning before they could reach tho
holy place, There is generally touch Of
humorous incrodulty In the way in which
such stories are related, and yet half
belief In them still survives. Olive and
other vegetable oils are harmless,
Other aud more pleasing traditions sur
round tho place Mt this time, Tho noun.
tain and all the uncultlvated country near
are covered with broom, which Is usually
In blossom at the time OF the festival, II
the wheels Of car or carriage by chance
cut of one Of the sprays 1t Is certain
omen that any m0rrlagOable girl who Is
seated In it will find u husband within the
year. TO crush without cutting the
branch Is an evil Rugury. Again, II lovers
are separated by the prudence Of their pa.
rents or any other unkind trick OF fate,
they endeavor to meet each other amid
the crowd which Is constantly ascending
or descending the mountain side, and then
they steal away from the rest, and tic the
branches Of two different broom.plants to.
gether. This Is regarded as kind Of
vow; II the difficulties are overcome and
they IRE united in the course Of tho year,
1t Is their duty to return on the next festi.
val and unto the knot 1t Is sad to see
how many branches thus united remain
unlooscned; nay, how many lie whitening
upon tho ground. Is there not what once
seemed to the chief personages In these
untold stories q tragedy, or at least an
idyl In enthusiastically Review.