The times., 1901-03-31

NisaN Strangers Witness the ImpOs-
ing SoIemnities-A Multitude OF
Americans ThrcnEiBE the Etcr-
nsI city at the Present Time.
The quaint medieval customs attendant
on Palm sunday in the older time have
died away in most places, but the Eternal
City is stin the headquarters at this time
OF many pilgrims from ali parts of ihe
earth The ceremonies of Easter al
Rome-of what is there called Holy
Week commence on Palm Sunday 10
witness these rites il IS estimated that
not fewer than four thousand foreigners
are now assembled in the city, large
proportion Of them Americans and Pro
testants During Holy Week the stores
are kept open, and concerts a." "t'eI
amusements are given; but theatrical
performances are forbidden. The chef
external differences are in the churches,
where affairs. crUcitlNes, and pictures are
generally hung in mourning
At about 3 O'Clock on Palm Sunday
morning. St Peters. having received a
great crowd Of people (Which, however, IS
almost lost in that vast building, all in
their best attire. ore Of the Papal regi-
nerrs enters and forms a clear passage
IN the central aisle. Shortly afterward
the noble guard" as il is called, Of the
Pope-a superior body of men-takes its
place and the corps diplomatique and dis
tincHlshed ecclesiastics arrive, ali taking
their respective seats in rows in the
space behind the high altar, which IS fit
tiugly draped for the occasion The Pope s
chief sacristan now brings an armfUl
of palms. and places them on the altar
These are sticks or stalks, each about
three feet long. resembling walking canes
with hleached palm leaves tied On them
in tasteful, but quite artificial way.
The preparation OF these substitutes for
the natural palm is a matter of heritage.
with which n story is connected. When
Sixtus 05S5-st0 undertook to erect i'm
the open space in front OF St. Peters the
ten Egyptian ubelisk which formerly
adorned Nero's circus, he forbade any one
70 speak on pain OF death. lest the at
teution Of the WCrkmen should be divert
ca from their dangerous task. a naval
officer OF St. Reno who happened TO be
present. foresecing that the ropes would
take fire from the friction to which they
We're subjected. cried out to apply
water" He was Immediately arrested
ard conducted before the Pontif. As the
cry had saved the ropes and prevented
loss of life, SiNtus could not enforce thu
decree. and To show his munihcence. he
offered the transgressor his choice OF a
reward. Those persons who have visited
Italy, have probably observed the great
abundance Of palms which grow IN the
neiEhboThood Of s.. Reno. between Nice
and Genoa, and viii EOt be surprised 20
hear that the wish of the officer was to
enjoy the privilege Of supplying the Pom
tiiicat ceremonies with palms The Pope
granted him the exclusive right. and il
Is stili enjoyed by one Of his family
Al Y:sg burst OF music is heard from
the choir, the soldiers present arms all
are on the tD-tOe OF expectation. and d
procession enters from a side chapel ne3,.
the doorway. All eyes are turned in this
direction. and the Pope IS seen borne up
the centre Of the magnificent basilica I'm
bis Sedia gestatoria" " This chair OF state
Is liked on two long poles covered with
red velvet and the bearers are twelve
officials. six before and six behind They
Dear the ends Of the poles on their shout
deTS, and walk so steadily as not to cause
aliy uneasy motion. On this occasion and
always keeping In mind that the church