The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1896-03-24

Written for the MESSENGER.
Rome, Italy, March 7, 1896.

our stay IN Rome mas Deen eX- |
tremely pleasant and profitable.
Now I want to mention what we
have seen during the last week.
The Capitol, the Aventine, the
Pantheon, Pauls prison, the
Kings Stables, the Jesuit Church
of st. Ignazio and Gesu, one of
the most gorgeous churches.
On Sunday we went to the Vii
la Borghese, where they had fit
ted up the bed of what was form
erly large lake as race course
and were having horse and char
lot races there witnessed by
thousands of people. 1t seemed
strange to me to pay admission
and attend this performance of
wild west order Excepting of
course, the chariot races on a
Sunday afternoon. But it was
for the benefit of the wounded in
Africa. A thousand more sold
iers left here last week for
Africa-to recruit the ranks of
the wounded. They departed
amid bursts of martial music and
great enthusiasm. But the sens
tive ear detected many minor
notes. They came from the
broken hearts of mothers, wives
and sisters who were embracing
the loved ones they might never
again see. Oh, it was terribly
sad. 1t makes me boil with in
dignation when l think on what
trivial pretexes nations that call
themselves civilized, resort to
war. Until man is ready to
enlist in the first volunteer regi-
ment, it does not become him to
blow about war.
On the Aventine we saw very
handsome new monastery, a Wis
ia opening upon ST. Peters, and
ST. Sabina, an old church dating
from early fifth century. Here
we were followed around by an
old Franciscan monk who took
us into the monastery gardens
and gave us flowers. This re-
minds me that in Rome there are
as many uniformed and official as
unofficial beggars. The former
. class keep little gates and doors
! locked on public highways or in
buildings, which the visitor has
) a perfect right to enter free of
charge. But not so, rule these
beggars in brass buttons. They
appoint themselves Custodian OF
the Key, and you must ring and
wait on their oficious service.
They bow around and make a
great pretence of assistance.
J Once away from them you are
confronted by the deformed and
wretched looking beggars a
every church door who otter
project themselves in front OF
you and all but catch hold OF
your sleeve. If you refuse then
maledictions are hurled aftel
= you. This is one of the very dis
: agreerble features of European
travel. l shall never forget ;
beggar, this time in the garb o.
a priest, whom we encounteret
in the great Cathedral of Seville
He asked for money in every way
;, but in words. I did not mine
this so much as / did his face
1t was the most voluptuous, re
pugnant face | have seen. Alas
that his lips have ever taken tn
vows of Holy Church. He nigh
grace the bowery, but his ply
sical make up was suggestive O
every thing but sanctity.
At the Capitol we saw tn
Municipal Council rooms, bust
of the King and the Prince c
Naples, beautiful statute c
Cleopatra by a Roman sculptor
,r and a number of other pictures
all historical.
Near the Capitol we went int
an old building and down nal
row, winding stairs into dur
geon which is believed to be th
identical one in which Paul wa
confined.
Walking along street the otf
er day saw crowd collected i
front of house and looking uI
1 thought, at it. A nearer al
proach showed the house to be
'n Catholic school or home fC
young girls. They were leanin
over the high balconies in pun
ce white garments which seemed
differ in no respect from les rob
d,t muit. Strange, / though
It's. that a strict institution shoul
permit its inmates to appear
>, their night dresses at the VII
80 30 dows as to attract a crowd
'' people. But l soon discovert
that funeral service was takir
10. place in a house on the opposi'
side oT @ha c4raof apI +haf III