Catoctin clarion., 1900-08-23

We passed into the basement where we were
shown large collection of bones. 1t appears
whenever a monk or friar OF this order dies,
he IS buried in one of the four vaulted cham
bers under the church, each one Of which
has ten graves with a card and small cross at
for 40 graves. After these are filled it has
been the custom of the order to take up the
body in the Oldest grave to make room for
new occupant. BY this means there have
accumulated the bones of more than 1000
monks which are piled up in the most fantas.
tic manner around the walls. In one vault
the leg and thigh bones are thus arranged, in
another the SIX ulls sc. while some are dressed
| in robes and stand in various attitudes Of
| devotion.
We enjoyed our drive to Pncian Hill,
which is like square or beautiful garden.
On our way we passed the villas of the Ca
lonas and de Medici which are beautiful
private houses. We stopped at the Piazza
del populi or place of the people. which is
large square with monument in the centre.
From it diverge the three: roads from Rome.
We visited the tomb of Nero, and drank
out Of the fountain that insures return to
Rome; also the hill where at one time the
the ancient capital of Rome stood, and on
our return saw the tomb of Raeffcal and
Victor Emmanuel.
One of the most beautiful spots in the
environs of Rome is the Protestant buryng
! ground. 1t is well taken care ofand the in.
terror is ornamented with flowers and some
fine monuments. Underneath the high altar
of Santa Maria Maggoire the boards of the
manger upon which the Saviour lay after
birth, are deposited. AtSt. Peters the hand
kerchiet which lay over the face of Christ
and the spear with which his side was pierced
are only exhibited from the high balcony
during Holy Week. The chain by which
st. Peter was manacled is also kept in one Of
the churches. We were shown long flight
of stone steps about 10 feet wide and rising
perhaps 80 feet, which we were assured were
the identical steps brought from Pilates
house at Jerusalem, over which Christ passed
are said to have been brought to Rome about
300 years after the death of Christ They
are of white marble, but as they became 80
greatly worn by the crowds of christian
worshlpers VINO sought the opportunity Of
gong over them on their knees, it was deemed
advisable to cover them with boards in which
condition they now are
Continuing our drive we pass the gates
leading towards the New Appian Way
among the ruins of the arches of the aQue
duct which supplied ancient Rome with wa
ter and upon our return saw some of the
famous paintings of the world, among which
were Raphael's magnificent painting of the
entombment of Christ, the chase Of Diana by
by Domcnchuo, the return Of the prodigal
son ny Guercino, the three Craces, by Titan
On Sunday morning we attended mass at
St Peters and were SO fortunate as TO hear
the "Popes Angel" sing, the finest male Sc
prano IN the world it is said. After services
we were shown the coronation stone where
all the earlier kings and emperors were
crowned; also St Peters chair which we
failed to see on our former visit; st Peters
with its gold ceilings and immense domes, all
making rare picture Of the religious devo.
ton of centuries, finding expression in stone
md marble.
We spent Monday morning in the Vatican
ana were almost overwhelmed by the wealth
of treasure in marble statues and paintings,
all by the most celebrated artists. Upon
| leaving here we found the streets crowded
with excited people; they have just heard of
the a assassination of the king. There seems
! TO be a general sorrow over the sad event, as
Humbert was greatly beloved by his subjects,
Rome is certainly wonderful city and
to leave here without SEEING everything
worth seeing would be regarded, perhaps, as
lack of sentiment or appreciation for the
wonderful in ruins or the grand IN art.
This evening, however, we say farewell
to Rome and 60 from here to Naples, Pom
pei and Vesuvlus Of which we will tell you
in our next letter.
f. A, MATTHIAS.
| ---------- ---------------