New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-08
WHERE ST. LOUIS DIED.
A CHRISTIAN CATHEDRAL BUILT ABOVE THE
RUINS OF ANCIENT CARTHAGE.


Algiers, May "a.
On Thursday morning last the solemn conse-
Grafton of the new basica of Carthage only
Cathedral church IN .,frica-was celebrated by
Cardinal Lavgerie in the presence of forty arch
bishops and preates of high rank AT later
hour in the afternoon His Emnence inaugurated
the opening session Of the Council of Bishops the
first of the kind which has taken place there since
the year A. ID. 252, by St. Cyprian. The cathe-
dral is perchcd on the summit of the Byrsa Hill
amidst the ruins of the old acropolis, and on the
very site of that famous heather temple of
Aesculapius, il which, at the close of the last
Punic War, b. C. l46, the Carthagenian COM
mander took refuge with his wife, children and
some Roman deserters determined TO defend
themselves to the last and 10 perish among tho
ruins. llasdrubals heart, however, failed HIM;
and while his family and his followers met brave
ly the doom from which he so meanly shrank ne
surrendered himself to the Roman conquerors who.
after causing him to march in chains in the TIL
umphal procession of the victorious general
through the streets of the Eternal City, subse-
quently tortured him to death.
The cathedral presents very striking appear
ance with its dazzling white towers and minarets.
It's architecture is mixture of the Roman and
the Byzantine, and it is built OF brilliant white
chalky looking stone, which has been quarried in
the island of Malta. Within it is divided into
nave transepts and gallery, and the roof is sup
ported upon AZ columns Of white Carrara marble
The woodwork is of pitch pine and the walls arc
decorated with exquisite colored Tunisan faence.
The ceiling has been painted by native artists
with profusion of arabesques, but in accord
ance with the prescriptions contained in tho
Koran, they have carefully avoided all designs
49,. a. Lo;,
The cathedral dominates the entire surrounding
country, standing the top of the steep hill
up the slope OF which a body of 5000
pilgrims from all parts Of the world wenGed theft
dusty way the day of the conservation. They
were followed at 10 o'clock by the 4th Regiment
Of Zouaves, which. preceded by its band. served
as escorts to the marvellously chiselled gold and
ewelled casket that contained the relics of st.
Louis, the Crusader King of France The latter
persisted some half dozen centuries ago, almost
the very spot where the cathedral, erected IN
his honor and bearing his name, now stands
The relics were placed on the high altar az the
foot of the steps leading up 10 which is marble
slab concealing the entrance to the tomb in which
Cardinal Lavigerle desires 10 be inferred. The
inscription on the stone is in Latin. and reads "
follows:
Here rests in peace.
In the hope Of infinite mercy.
He who was
Charles Martial Allemand Lavigere,
Cardinal priest of the Holy Roman Church,
Archbishop of Carthage and Algiers,
Primate of Africa,
And who now is but dust
Pray for him.
The spectacle inside the cathedral during tho
ceremony OF conservation was most picturesque.
The foreign consular corps at Tuns and the officers
Of the French garrison. in their gOld-loced uni
forms. the gorgeous vestments of the preates, tho
flowing robes OF the native diRnitares who had
assembled to witness the Inauguration Of tho
new mosque TO the Prophet Jesus, and white
cowls and red fezzes OF the monks Of st. Charles
an order founded by the Cardinal for missionary
work in Arica-all contributed to render the spec
tacle one never To be forgotten Equally memoir
able was the sermon preached from the altar
steps by the venerable Cardinal. which has
brought 10 a close with the following words. de-
livered in tones Of imprisoned eloquence
And now, bells OF our cathedral. annonnc,
the birth Of new Carthage. Ring forth from
to-day nothno but resurrection and life. Speak
10 these people who environ you nothing but OF
peace concord and brotherly love. And declare
10 the world that if the priests Of pagan Rome
were brought here in times of old 10 curse; tne
priests of Christian Rome have come only to bless
Carthage and poor Africa