The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-23
THE ROMAN CATACOMBS
\ VISIT TO THE "CATACOMB DI
STINT CALf1TUS"
In Which arc Buried 10000 Early Chris
tsns-Antonto, tho Learned Ciceroue,
OF Pleasant Memory.

uaOus, anu Safftlly historical places IN
and around Rome OF which there are so
very many, 1 cannot now recall any one
ri them that has so lasungly and so
seriously Impressed me as the great GAIA
comb OF st. CaIixtus. Ny visit to this
wonderful place Will ever be one Of the
fea-lettfr days in the calendar Of my past
experience.
some years ago, curing a first visit 10
ne ETERNAL City. our programme. n arked
Notta Races called for am early visit
70 the largest OF the catncombs, distin-
kuishcd from the many others by the
inach-vcneFated name or Saint Calxtus.
i've years later. again footing il over
she weli-prcserved, famous old Appian
May lvia AITia). and passing Tho site
OF this noted cataconlb. the previous
visit came Up in the mind very windy.
depicting 80 over again in all is SILENT
GAR" ana gloomy grandeur, recalling very
many sober. serious reflections, that analr
decade OF years had changed but little,
Ind ia no wise tnaCcd.
IL may be gloomy species OF rccrea-
7ion % spend part Of a glorious sun-nt
day far under ground, wandering among
The tomns ana graves OF thousands and
thousands of saints and martyrs who
suffered and died so long ago. yet a stran-
ser Who visits Rome for the purpose OF
tight-acciuB VIII scarcely fail to have
& trip of mis- Kind OH his programme, ma
h. willing 20 devote at leash one day
or part OF n. 20 an object possessed
q 80 much interest not only from its an
tquity. fits hailOwcd associations. It's
peculiar situation but also the double
feature OF it's early character In serving
as a secure place Of refugee subterra-
mean homeland. finally, the quiet graves
OF the almost numberlcss thousands who
cicd for conscience sake. The largest
Of these catacOmhs Is the one known as
"Catacornb al Saint Cailisto." It IS csti-
mated by the best authority in such mat
tiers that not less than 10000 Christians
are buried In H. The next IN order as
regards size, age. etc, IS "caiac0nb az
ST Sebastian" There are score or
others, OF smaller capacity, being less OK
seusivc, and containing fewer graves.
cannot even begin to recall all their
names. in fact. ! have never known all
Of them. They are supposed 10 number
several hundred. and 10 have been the de-
pository OF about l.gogp Of bodies Any
one can visit those catacombs. at any
time. and without permission except the
largest Saint Callsto. to enter which
n permit ia necessary. which can be OBJ
talncd by applying tn person 20 the Vicar
General. "a most important functionary
under his Holiness Leo Nil, whose
business g. 20 exercise jurisdiction over
matters purely spiritual.
THE VICAR GENIAL or ROME.
/ had been living ia Rome week
when, in the regular order OF excursions,
the time allotted Ior the trip TO the cata-
combs arrived. So at the hour OF 10
A NJ, our party loft the hotel. and at
once took the iniuatory step in the mat
Ter by proceeding 10 the office of the
Cardnal-Nic IN his palace. on Via
della ScIofa, 20. This locality we found
l.. e mini
trouble. walked through the broad. spa
cious entrance into plain court, without
many ornaments in the usual way OF
fountains and statuary, noticed small
stream Of cool, pure water flowing from
the cIen mouth of an unknown except N
the artists imaelnauCW animal or beant
that showed nothing but its ne ad tlat was
sculptured IN marble on O. sOnd wall OPP
k,ositc the entrance. We approached IL
and took the metal cup that was attached
10 a small chain. which was fastened 10
the wall conveniently near TO BE- used
sof drinking purposes. Filling the cup,
We graUhed our thirst with most re-
1reshing draught Of that delightful water
for which Rome is so famous, and with
which 1t IS so bounuruiy supplied.
Retraclng our steps TO the left of the
grand gateway, We assembled an elegant
flight Of marble steps, az the head OF
which We were met by an oihcidl IN
rich livery, who showed us into large
and wcll-furnished ante-room, ana de-
sired us TO Doc seated tHtil his ENcellency
was ready or al leisure 10 receive us.
After an interval of about I'VE minutes,
another lverled servant notified as that
he would conduct Us 20 his master. we
followed him across the ante-r0om 20
the doorway which separated us from the
chamber Of state. where the man drew
UIN.
with a considerable flourish of the Italian
language. and sndry manipulauons or
ms body into tho most graceful contor-
lions. We were duly announced ana lett
in the august presence Of the Nicar-Hen-
eraI Tho Cardinal bowed extended ms
hand. and then requested us TO De seat
ed. after which he inquired II We spoke
Italian We replied that We did not,
but suggested that in limited way we
might converse I'm Latin. Il happened
that this tongue suited both parties wen
enough. so We stated the object of our
visit. with the request of general ana
specinl permission that would enable us
10 sdo up" the largest Of the catacomps.
His EXcelency al once drew up Il chnr
10 "a table that was well covered Win
books. papers. manuscripts, writing ma
ierlals etc.. and opening a drawer, TOOK
out q blank form. which De began ming
nm al the same time asking such ques-
tons as our names, country ages, e'c.
The blank was duly filled, the document
folded no. then handed 90 as. Cfhe Car
Cinal did his own work appertainink 10
his Office. We saw no Clerk b'ins |
asked 90 there We're any charges ne
emilingly replied there We're none, We eN- |
pressed our surprise, laughingN remark
ing that We had gotten into habit or |
having for everything received from !
both Church and state.
PLEASANT RtrOET.
The Cardinal pleasantly retorted that
Rome could we'll AFFORD SO Dee generous |
and exceptional in Ncty many ways as
,ye would sooner or later learn for our
selves. and he hoped. 10 our advantage !
,'his remark at the time ala not strike us /
a. being very Oracular or even cN-ca- !
thedfa. but often since. I'm thinking over |
Il We saw It was fan OF meaning All |
rood and wholesome hfoed and phlian-
tbro,,ic A Few commonplace questions |
and answers passed between us, ana we |
arose from our seats notifying our readi- /
moss 20 leave The Cardinal also arose |
and touched a small bell when ser
,ant appeared in the doorway. We
shook hands. bowed. and parted. we
we're most fav0Wbly impressed with the
ten-minuies' interview. and the gentle
manly. high-t0ned. cultivated aemeanor
of the thoroughly-eOucaicd, cultured ana
polished man whom We had met Tor the
drst and last time. We nave never bt-
fcre or since met or seen a priest we liked |
eo Vcu should ihC present Pope die duf
snr our lifetime a would be pleased 10
near OF our Cardinal being his success
r,,s. be~e say that think The Church |