The Green Forest tribune., 1896-03-26
European Letter.


pleasant and profitable. Now I want
to mention what we have seen during
the last week. The Capitol, the Aven-
tine the Pantheon, Paul's prison, the
Kings Stables, the Jesuit Church of
st. Ignazio and Gesu, one the most gor-
geos churches in Rome
On Sunday we went to the Villa
Borgese, where they had fitted up the
bed of what was formerly large lake
as a race course and were having horse
and chariot races there witnessed by
thousands of people. 1t seems strange
to me to pay admission and attend
this performance of wild west order
| excepting of course, the chariot races)
on Sunday afternoon. But it was for
the benefit of the wounded in Africa.
A thousand more soldiers left here last
week for Africa,-to recruit the ranks
of the wounded. They departed amid
bursts of martial music and en- thusiasm.
But the sensitive ear detected many
minor notes. They came from the
broken hearts Of mothers, wives and
sisters who were embracing the loved
owes they might never again see. Oh,
it was terribly sad. 1t makes me boil
with indignation when 1 think on what
trivial pretext nations that call them
selves ci vilzed, resort to war. ad-
mire England for the pacific attitudes
she took in our recent little wrangle.
She kept level head. Until man is
ready to enlist in the first volunteer
regiment, it does not become him to
blow about war:
On the Aventine we saw a very
handsome new monastery, visto open
ing upon st: Peters, and St. Sabina, an
old church dating from the early fifth
century. Here We were followed
around by an old Franciscan monk
who took us into the monastery gar
dens and gave us flowers. This re-
minds me that there are as many
uniformed and official as unofficial
beggars. The former class keep little
gates aud doors locked on public high
ways or in buildings, which the visitor
has perfect right to enter free of
charge. But not so, rule these beg
gars in brass buttons. They appoint
themselves Custodian of the Key, and
you must ring and wait on their
officious service. they bow around
and make great pretense of assist
ance. Once away from them you are
confronted by the deformed and
wretched looking beggars at every
church door who often project them
sell in front Of you and almost
catch hold of your sleeve. If you re-
fuse them, maledictions are hurled
after YOU. This is one of the very
disagreeable features of European
travel. l shall never forget beggar,
this time in the garb Of a priest, whom
we encoun tered in the great Cathedral
of Sevil. He asked for money In
every way butin words. | did't mind
this so much as did his face. 1t was
the most voluptuous, repugnant face L
have eyer seen. Alas; that his lips
have ever taken the VOWS of Holy
Church. He might grace the Bowery,
but his physical make up was sugges-
tive of every thing but sanctity.
On Thursday We went to the Kings
stable. where Paul was greatly de-
lighted with the $50 horses. They We're
pleasing to look at, fine, fat, sleek,
king fellows, with moth
ing to do but ontem plate their fortu-
nate Tor unfortunate) lot in life; for
they looked like they longed for an
outing and would gladly exchange
places with the cab horses on the
highway in only they could get sun.
shine and exercise. Meanwhile, doubt
less, their weary cab brothers long to
step into their shoes. All Of " which
goes to prove that happiness is reia-
tive and that horses, like men, are
slaves to Imagination.
| At the Capitol We saw the Municipal
Council rooms, busts Of the King and
Prince of Maple, bea utiful statue of
Cleopatra by Roman sculptor and a
number of other pictures, all histor-
| ical.
Near the Capitol we went into an old
building ana down winding stairs into
dungeon which is believed to be the
Identical one in which Paul was con-
! fined.
| Walking along q street the other