The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-03-20
European Letter.

ROME Tally, March Our stay in Rome
has been extremely pleasant and profitable.
Now want to mention what we have seen dur
ing the last week. The Capitol the Aventine
the Pantheon, Paul's prison, the Kings stables
the Jesuit Church of 81. lgnaZio and Gesu, one
of the most gorgeous churches i'll Rome
On Sunday we went to the Villa BOrghese,
where they had fitted up the bed of what was
formerly IL large lake as race course and
were having horse and chariot races there
witnessed by thousands of people. 1t seemed
strange to me to pay admission and attend this
performance of Il wild west order, except Of
course, the chariot races, on Sunday after
noon. But 1t was for the benefit OF the wound
ed in Africa. \ thousand more soldiers left
here last week for Africa, to recruit the ranks
of the wounded. They departed amid bursts OF
martial music and great enthuslas. II. But the
sensitive detected many minor notes.
They came from the broken hearts of mothers,
wives and sisters W no were embracing the loved
ones that they might never again see. oh, il
was terribly sad. 1t makes me boil with iudg-
nation when think on what trivial pretcXtS
nations that call themselves civilized, resort to
war. admire England for the pacific attitude
she took in our recent little wrangle. She kept
Il level head. Until Il man is ready to enlist i'll
the first volunteer regiment, it does not become
hIm to blow about war.
On the Ayeutinc We saw very handsome
new monastery, Il vista opening upon st. Pet
ers and st. Sabina, an old church dating from
the early fifth century. Here we were follow
cd around by an old Franciscan monk, who
took us into the monastery gardens aud gave
us flowers. This reminds me that in Rome
there are as many uniformed and official
unofficial beggers. The former class keep little
gates and doors locked on public highways or
buildings, which the visitor has Il perfect right
to enter free of charge. But not so, rule these
beggars in brass buttons. They appoint them
selves Custodian of the Key, and you must
ring and wait on their oiilcIOuS service. They
bow around and make II great pretcnce of as
Sstance; once away from thch you are con
frOnted by the dcforme' and wretched looking
hcggarS at every church door, who often pro-
jcct themselves i'll front of you and all but
catch hold of your sleeve. If you refuse them,
mn lodi hlI1 pf 10 ana
Of the very dsagreeablc features of European
travel. | shall never forget hegPar, this time
in the great Cathedral of Seville. He asked for
money i'll every way but in words. did not
mind this so much rs did his face. 1t was the
most ToluptuOus, rcpugnant face have ever
seen. Alas, that his lips have ever taken the
vows of Holy Church. He might grace the
bowery, but his physical makeup was SuggeS
tive of everything but Sanctity.
On Thursday we went to the Kings stables
where Paul was greatly delighted with the $50
horses They were pleasing TO look ut fine, fat,
sleek, Intelligent-lOOk fellows, with nothing TO
do but contemplate their fortunate or unfur-
tunate lot of life, for they looked like they
longed for an outing, and would gladly eN-
change places with the cab-horSes on the high
way, if only they could get sunshine and ex
crcise Meanwhile, doubtless, their weary cab
brothers long To step into their shoes All of
which goes TO prove that happiness is relative
and that horses, ike men, are slaves to lmagl-
nation.
At the Capitol we saw the Municipal Council
fOOtES, uusIS VI tHS mig anu ETllCc Ol naples,
beautiful statue of Cleopatra by Roman
sculptor. and IL number of other pictures, all
historical
Near the Capitol We went into an old building
and down narrow, winding stairs into Il dungeon
which is believed to be the identical one i'll
which Paul was confined.
Walking along II street the other day saw
crowd collected in front of house and look
ing up, thought, at it. y nearer approach
showed the house to he II Catholic school or
home for young girls. They were leaning over
the high balconies in pure white garments,
which seemed to differ i'll no respect from les
rObtS da mutt. Strange, thought, that strict
institution should permit its inmates to appear
in their night dresses at the windows is to at
tract crowd of people. But soon discovered
that a funeral service was taking place i'll
house on the opposite side of the street ami
that the girls were entirely proper in appearing
in their seminary uniform.