Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1894-01-12
HE SEES THE POPE.
Doctor Porter Writes Again From
Rome, and Describes Sights
and Scenes.
Goes to the Cathedral and Sees the
Pope at Nassau Inspiring
Spectacle.
He Will Leave Rome With His
Party For a Tour of Egypt,
January 16.
Still in Rome.


Still in Rome.
DR.. Porter is still in Rome, and is in
terested in the sights and scenes there.
He has seen the many things of interest
there, and describes them entertainingly.
The doctor joins his excursion party at
Naples soon, and sails January 10th for
Egypt, and a tour of the Orient. He
writes from Rome and says:
"Have been in Rome about four weeks
and like it first rate, and the more 1 see
of it the better [ like it, and 1 must tell
about some of the interesting places.
"Palatine hill was the original site and
center of the mistress of the world.
Hortensius, Gatiline, Cicero, and other
big guns had their private dwellings
here. On this hill is where Romulus
built his city 1876 B. G. Some of the
walls are still standing and in fact the
whole ruins, called the "Palace of the
Caesars" are in good state of preserva-
ton, especially the beautiful Mosaic
floors, and even some of the wall paint
ing, and they have been buried for hun
dreds of years. Workmen are still x
cavating. Some of the walls were cased
with transparent oriental marble SO
highly polished as to reflect like mirrors.
Twas here that Cicero delivered his first
Grafton against Catiline and the Emperor
CaliRula was murdered by Cassius-A.
D. 80. The cave or; grotto was pointed
out to us where the she wolf was found
nursing the twins. Immediately below
is the valley made famous by the rape of
the Sabine women.
"From Plncian hill, or Monte Pincio'
we get one of the finest views Of modern
Rome. The hill is laid out with walks,
%driveways, parks, flower gardens, fount-
aims, small lakes and live swans, beauti.
full tropical trees and plants, etc. The
band plays here several times a week
and it is where the beauty and fashion
of Rome congregate every Sunday, to
listen to the music and show off their
fine carriages and superbly dressed
ladies. On this hill were once the IA
nous gardens of Lucullus in which
Messalina, the wife of Clandius after
wards celebrated her orgies. Wish you
could see the Colosseum, which grand
old structure has stood from about the
time of Christ, and which looks good
for thousands of years to come. The in
terror had seats for $1,000 spectators.
The seats there the Vestal Virgins sat
are still there, and when they said
thumbs up the PROSTATE gladiator's life
was spared, and thumbs down meant
instant death. They have queer ways of
doing things here, for instance, in going
to the opera they charge 40 cents for ad-
mission and then 81 or 50 for a seat. In
making purchases they ask you 40 to so
per cent. more than they will take. It
took me a long tims to get on to this
game, and when I did was ashamed to
offer so much less, but soon found out
that I was being swindled at every turn.
Now, after inquiring the price I cut the
price right in two the first pop. Often
times they say take 1t and always come
down from 20 to 40 per cent. The
weather is warm and pleasant. Children
barefooted. Orange and olive crops are
just being harvested. Some of the olive
trees here are 1000 years old. Have had
beggars on the run and follow our
carriage for two miles. We tried to tire
them out but they tired us out, and we
threw them a handful of coin to get rid
of them. I understand that in some
parts the policemen go in pairs for self
protection, as they are afraid to be out
after dark alone. These Italians are
very apt with the knife, their favorite
weapon, it makes no noise and is very
sure. You may be certain that Tn not
wandering around much dark nights.
"The hotel where I'm staying is kept
by an American lady who has been here
twenty-eight years. Nearly all her
boarders are Americans from Maine to
California, and all splendid people whom
it's a pleasure to meet and associate with.
"Was driving on Pincian Hill Sunday,
where I met the queen, raised my hat to
ner and received a bow and pleasant
smile in return. Have met the king sew
eral times, same way. He is fine looking
person, bright piercing eye, white hair
and mustache and easily recognized from
the picture on the postage stamps. Can
tell the queen by her driver aud coach
man, who are all dressed IN red or scar
let. They put on no airs and are very
popular in Rome and Italy.
Last Sunday I saw the pope perform
mass in st. Peters, which church seats
about 25,000 and holds 10000, or about
one: half the population of Minneapolis,
las per last nadded returns.) The none