Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-13

INV the bishop is dead This is q more
XSvs startling announcement than the
e stranger at first appreciates, for Bishop
Juan de dos Bosque was the foremost
man in Bolivia, a functionary OF more import
ance than the president OF the republic aud
With far greater power. Neither revolutions
nor changing governments could affect his
state and position; he directed rulers and
shaped public events and his word was a
law from which there was no appeal. His
influence was more potent because not obsery-
able on the surface, but it penetrated to every
home in all the walks OF lie. swayIng the
strongest through their superstitions and main
tanning its frmest hold through the women
and the children. He was only sxty-one years
old when he succumbed to what surgeons name
viscal calculus, terrible disease for whose
treatment ho went to Europe eight years ago
and returned apparently cured He was
appointed to the diocese by the pope in 1875.
and from that time to the present has enjoyed
an income much greater than that OF the presi-
dent, ranging between go, 600 and 300 900 per
annum. He was extremely charitable and not
only founded but supported the great orphan
asylum of La Paz out Of his private means.
besides dispensing large sums Of money in
daily charities.
DARK STORIES.
or course dark tales are told concerning his
private life and alleged methods of adding to
his income, circulated, now that he is dead. by
those who few days ago dared not speak his
name except IN the most respectful manner.
SANDER, like death. loves a shining mark. aud
doubtless most OF these falsehoods are attribu-
table to tho petty jealousy that always follows
those who are elevated in purpose or position
ah0ya he hae fha.
be said OF him, or any human being in the final
sumrling up of the earthly record. il that he
was not wanting in charity, the greatest of the
Christian virtues. Some time ago Bishop
Bosque gpt himself SO deeply under cloud"
at Rome that the pope suspended him for a
year or two. The trouble began with the dis
covery that he had bestowed two or three liv-
ings apiece on certain poor curates. or course
the gossipers insist that the latter divided the
spoils with their patron, but as the cures
receive the merest pittance from the
government. the salary of each being
about : 100 per annum, there could not have
been very much 10 divide. The suspension of
the too sympathetic bishop was prccipitated
by his marrying a cabinet minister to n widow,
three Of whose children by u former husband
having been godfathered 10y the minister afore-
said. No remotest tie of blood existed between
them, but the church expressly forbl6s snch
marriages, on the ground that q spiritual rela-
tionship, sacred though unexplainable. exists
are called. During the period Of suspension
his salary from the government. $1,000 year,
was stopped, but the grateful minister pre-
sented HIM with S1.500 and his parishioners
made up purse OF 900 more, so that he
managed to worry along.
SIGNS OF MOURNING.
Now that he is dead the aspect OF the whole
city is suddenly changed. Martial music no
longer fills the air; flags are at half mast and
tied with Grape; black banners are dropping
from the windows of all the houses inmedl-
ately surrounding the episcopal palace. while
the latter. the huge prison-like structure occu-
pied during Melgarejo's time a barrack is
literally covered with symbols OF woe In the
second-story apartment which that illustrious
general used for dining room the bishop
breathed his last and from that very window
through which the former marched his men to
a fall of fifteen feet and broken bones, merely
TO show off their obedience to friend, a sable
pail is hanging.
According to o church custom in Bolivia the
bishop must lie in state four days and mean
while people Of every class are in deepest
mourning. All day long, from 10 a. m. till mid
night throng OF people is seen vending its
way in one direction to pay the last token OF
respect to the holy father. There are monks
gray-cow!ed. bareheaded and barefooted;
priests in black robes and shovel hats; friars
all in white from head to foot; professions of
boys who are being educated for the priest
hood; sisters OF charity and nuns of all orders;
various societies going IN body; delegations
Of citizens; troops OF employees from every
branch Of the government; Indians, Cholos
and ladies Of high degree.
BY the way, the women of South America can
mourn more, in outward appearance, than any
other class of people on earth. All wear
straight, scant gowns Of black wool. entirely
untrimmed and slightly trailing, and mantas
or shawls of the same material. draped in
straight lines over the shoulders and body. and
covering the face SO that only the eyes are wish
BILE. A company of these funereal figures Gid
ing slowly through the streets with bowed
heads calls to mind some Of Dore's illustra-
tons in Dantcs Inferno.
LYING IN STATE.
Since everybody is not only invited but ex-
pected to call upon the illustrious dead let us
join the multitude and proceed to the house Of
mourning. The Indians and half-brecds go in
their everyday bright-hued toggery. having
no other, but custom DEGREES that other people
must dress entirely in black-the gentlemen in
tall hats with q band of crepe around them
and the ladies with no hats at oil. but the uni
versal manta worn over the head. The pal
ace." though very extensive, looks shabby
enough outside-the lower floor on the trout
side occupied by several poor shops and its
once white walls now yellow gray with dirt and
time. Passing down a side street we find a
pair Of double doors like those of barn stand
ing Wlue open anu enter Dig pare patlo
paved with small round stones, the same in
which Meigarejo drilled his troops Doors
are thickly set on all sides OF the in
closure, but there is no installing the
right one. Through hall-iike salon 60
where soldiers stand on guard and rows of
black -gowned priests are perched all around
the edges like SO many ovcr-grown birds Of
prey. and come at last TO the inner room. in
which the prelate is holding his last reception
Ii is q large. square saia, the walls covered
with wreaths % white and purple flowers, each
chapiet tied with long black ribbons, to which
the card OF the donor Is attached. Monks,
priests and friars stand all around. each hold
ing lighted candle, while, hour after hour
o constant procession Of mourning people
pours in at one door aud out at another
HOW HE LOOKED.
The bishop never looked better In life, de-
spite the sufferings of his last days. The proud,
dark face, Moorish in typo. wears a calm,
though by no means happy. smiie-a sphinx
like expression that will long haunt the be-
holder. He lies at an angle OF forty-five de-
grees on what appears to be a solid bed of
roses his tail and stately figure dressed in
richest vestments of purple and gold, with
splendid lace beneath and sparkling with
Jewels, with the inter on his head and golden
crook beside him. The right hand. which has
dispensed so many blessings, lies at his side,
within reach OF the passing multitude. II is
covered with black kid glove and on the mid
big, fiat diamond, which has been worn by other
bishops long gone 10 glory and pressed by the
lips OF successive generations. II is said 70 be
worth $4,000 and being the property of the
church will be removed before the body is in
TERED. There are tive other jewels on the back