New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-15
TOPICS IN ITALY.
THE BORGHEsE sALE-THE TOMB OF TAsSO.

usual exodus of foreign visitors has begun.
and within the next fortnight the Eternal City
will he deserted by all except it's permanent resi-
dents. Never have seen Rome crowded by
strangers than during the Holy Week this year.
Every day the Scala Santa brought from filate's
house at Jerusalem, the steps of which are COW
cred With wood to preserve the marble. was
assembled by thousands on their knees. On Maun-
day-Thursday the churches were ihronge' by the
faithful TO visit the sepuchres adorned with lights
and exquisite flowers. and to venerate the Holy
Sacrament laid symbocally in the tomb to await
the Easter Resurrection. Queen Margherta and
her mother, the Duchess Of Genoa, visited seven
of the principal basilcas. and on Good Friday at
tended mass at the Church of the Sudario. The
great basilica of St Johns Latcran was crammed
for the tenebrac and for Capocci's lovely Mis-.
erere," as was ST. Maria Maqgiore's, where Basie's
ancient and pathetic Miscrcre" was splenddly
sung in the old traditional manner. From four to
six people of every nation and class FASTENED to St.
Peters, where some determined to get good places
to hear the Sistnc Choir sing. had arrived honD
before. In the evening at Z. in the ancient Church
Of St Maria-n- Campte took place the washing
Of the feet by Cardinal Parocchi Vicar Of Rome.
Twelve poor worlmen were chosen. and His Emil
nencc wearing his white mitre. put on lace
trimmed apron. and. while the choir sang. washed
their feet, wiped them with fine towel. touching
each with his lips. and giving piece of money to
each After the ceremony three tables were pre-
pared i'm the rcfectorv The centre one was for
the representatives Of the twelve Apostles the others
for hundred poor whose frugal repast was served
to them by the Cardinal himself and by the mem.
bcrs of the Confraternity of ST. Peter. all wearing
white aprons. After this they were taken TO the
dormitories where usually they pay penny. but
on this night are lodged free.
The BOrghese sale realized little short Of half
a million dollars. far less than was anticipated.
The superbv chased silvergilt dinner service given
by the great Napoleon to his sister Pauline was
bought hy Prince Peucina. a Scilian, whose
palace is one Of the sights of Palermo, for $780, 600.
II was pitful 70 see the sad faces Of the old
servants at the entrance and as one passed up the
staircase TO the great hall where the sale was
held and pushed aside the heavy tapestry curtain
cmbazoned with the Borghese arms. one felt as II
fell noiselessly behind if one had entered q
church TO assist at some funeral function. Peo-
pie spoke in subdued tones the comparative silence
only broken by the grave voice Of the auctioncer
offering unique and precious relic of bygone
days for sale, while from the walls looked half
scOrnfuy down the Cardinals, the cavaliers and
the ladies of this ancient house. Pauline
Borgheses portrait opposite the auction table,
ferent to the ruin SO long as her statue-Canovas
masterpiece, called the Venus Victrix. which all
the world has admired in the Villa Borghese, out
side the walls-coud not he touched. For hap
PLY, it is entalcd Marvellously lovely as that
pure white marble is always its effect almost
enhanced at the ball given there two years ago
when it was surrounded By roses and pale pink
light thrown on it.
The anniversary Of Tasso's death was celebrated
as usual at St Onofrio, on April %. The Monas
terry of ST. Onofro is situated not far from the
Vatican. on the Janiculum Hill. IL wac built
in l439 by Nicholas dc Forca Palana. and has
ever since been occupied by the hermits OF st.
Jerome. 1t is one of the most solitary spots in or
about Rome II is reached by long, silent and
tortuous road lined with the poorest of houses,
with rags hanging out Of the windows to dry.
The inhabitants of these houses are OF the poorest
description, but they proud 10 tell you that
they are the most direct descendants of the old
masters of the world little square, without
houses, fronts the entrance to the convent ana
under the little portico Of the church there are
several frcscoes by Domcnchino representing
episodes in ST. Jcromes life. door on one
side opens on 10 the convent. The wire which
holds the bell has left quite mark in the wall
~ it's continued friction, and the stone step is
on it for 50 many years.
II was AZ this very door, on April / l595. that
Cardinal Cnzios carriage stopped. and from it
stepprd a man vet in the prime Of life. but weak
cned and worn ont by the suferings Of an ag1-
tated life This man was Torquato Iasso, the
author of Jerusalem Delivered begun when
the poet only nineteen years of AGE. The
good monks welcomed him with unfeigned delight.
and gave him the best room they could dispose
ola room with two windows which commanded
a view Of all Rome and the hills around Tasso
spent the remaining few days Of his life gazing
ont Of these windows or sitting under the oak
tree which now bears his name. The monks never
ntruded upon his meditations hut would even
retire from their windows when they saw him
in the garden Tasso took a willing part IN the
monks religious exercises and also would will
ingly talk t. them. though he would not allow
the word glory to be spoken in his presence
He died April -. 1895. while Rome was pre-
pairing to crown him publicly at the Capitol.
He was fifty-one years of age. The laurel wreath
which was to have adorned his brow few weeks
later was placed on his head and buried with
him wax mask was taken Of his face and Is
still seen among the relics preserved in his cham
her He was first buried in the convent church
with Il little inscription to mark the place.
Later Cardinal Bevilacqua had the remains
transferred to better place with longer inscrip-
ton over the tomb but in 1857 Plus IN had the
remains again removed. though still in the same
chapel but with monument above more worthy
of the great mans genius The Inauguration OF
this monument took place on the anniversary ~ ms
death Crowds Of literary and scientific mon came
m Rome for tbe occasion The old leaden coffin
was once more opened. and all present could take
n view, of the few ashes which alone remained Of
one of Italys greatest geniuses. These ashes were
placed in a new eaden coffin and deposited under
the monument which still exists. The old cofhn
is now to be seen in Tassos room. also the waNen
mask taken of his face after death. and his table,
chair. belt. hour-ghss. mirror, inkstand and cru
ciax. The monks of Saint Onofrio are proud to