The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-03-14
THE SAN PIETRINI.
Men Whose Lives Are Spent ON the
Dcme OF st. Peters.
New Work SIM

Before the papaey lost its temporal
power in 1870 it was customary for the
pope to celebrate mass publicly at the
main altar of ST. Peter's on three re.
liglous festivais-viz. ON Faster Sun.
day. the Feast of st. Peter and st
Paul, and Christmas. On these oc.
casions the pope had on his breast a
golden ephod, like that worn by the
high priest OF Israel. In the evening
OF the two days first named two great
spectacles were always given--the
illumination of the dome and cnpola
of ST. Peters, followed BY a UNIQUE
and splendid exhibition of fireworks
in the Piazza del Pepolo. The illumina-
ton was Iii two parts first, the silver
one, so-cailed, produced by white
paper lanterns hung on the roofs oil
the two semi-cireular porticos of the
Piazza San pietro and about the front
of the BaSiiica, and next at the stroke
OF s, the hour for the Ave Maria. the
golden one. in which the dome and
cupola were brought cut in brilliant
outlines of light with almost the
rapidity of lightning. The light was
produced by iron shells. fitted with
wieks and filed with tallow. Some con.
tanning rs much as Is pounds. Others
less, according To the situation and
exposure to the wind. Ii was indeed
a grand sight. once seen never to be
forgotten. No one can tell whether or
when it will ever be seen again.
A very erroneous impression has
prevailed among Americans. Catholics
being as ready ~ believe and spread il
as Protestants, that SD great was the
danger for the men employed about
the illumination they were all regu-
larry prepared fer death by the recep-
ton OF the saeraments OF confession
and holy communion. That wear
after year the lives of a great number
of men were deliberately and extraor-
dinariiy imperiled in order 20 sc: up
a tine spectacle would hardly seem
consistent With the well known hu-
name and benevolent character of the
papal government. and the writer
took opportunity during recent
visit TO Rome, to inquire particularly
into the facts uf the case, feeling conf
dent that they would be found "a in.
yoive no censuyahle disregard OF hu-
man life.
The men employed about the dome
ana roof of 81. Peters are called Saf,
Pietrini They dwell npou The roof.
Most of them were born there, a.
were generations - their kina L Dc
before. There are forty one % taetn~-
twenty regular employee seventeen
StDaTnn'aerarieS, tao astiraafs 10 TIE
place of sunernunserarias and tive
who DO olEv sweeping And cleaning.
The illumination Il the dome aal
etIposa asesi 80 sake over 500 men.
Extra hands we're hired for the oeea
sion fruru grssies ard oceupaf ions In
which Iab9r is done st ssixzy nights
AMI iAey were sat 20 work under The
direction of The san pietrini Every
pYecauslon was taken against acct
dents The writer informant, a Sar
+. Psetrias grown old and gray in ths
service. said tina; although often.ime.
some % the men smployed we're care
less, vet dnTine the forfy-faur year.
preceding tST0 only three men. an al
them Saf pietrini. had lost their i've.
ny falling. One fell from the root
wlaAsa gepalrliag an arm sn the statue
o. -, Andrew The other two Tel
whue Illuminating the ssonle.