The Redwood gazette., 1902-08-06

~a- ~, give some
Ef vh.sz glimpses Of
A@SA ss#T|} ~ Rome. and |
7 [xSs&S&--ee IN: ~ fear it vas q
Z SG rash promise,
\ \! 49, for it is diff
cult to make past impressions vivid
and interesting to other people.
When | went into Italy from France
| think | must have felt much as
tourists from winter lands do when
they come to southern California.
The change from the chill and desc
latiOn into the warmth and aOun-
dant vryetatiOn OF the south is most
attractive.
Perhaps that heightened the
charm Of Italy, but from the time L
entered until | left it. four months
later. was interested, fascinated,
and delighted with almost every
thing I saw, and I cane into Swift
zerland with real regret. though the
| beauty Of lake and mountain and
ALPINE verdure is enchanting. too.
| But all this marvellous Swiss cOun-
trv. | must leave for future letter
and 90 back to ROme-the city tC
which all paths lead and to which.
after once seeing and enjoying: all
hearts must forever turn with long.
! ing and pleasant memories.
The famous church of ST. Peter 5
is, Of course, the rendezvous Of al
travellers, and so much has beer
written Of its vast size. its exquisite
proportions and priceless treasure:
of mosaic and sculpture, that it i:
useless to attempt so difficult
task. But as | saw it under cir
cumstances unusually interesting
perhaps a description of that viii
not come amiss. The third Of Marcel
was the twenty-tifth anniversary c
the Pope 5 accession to the HOI.
See aud also, | believe, his ninety
second birthday. We were yer.
fortunate in having excellent seat
and saw one Of the most impressiv
ceremonies it has been my 600
fortune to enjoy.
Although the service was to be
gin at ten we were ready to leav
the hotel at half past eight aud ioi
the long procession OF carriage
vending its way to St. Peter 5
Arriving there we passed throug
double line Of Italian soldie,
which must be always on duty O
the great fete days of the church
and went up the broad marble step
of the building. Crowds were en-
tering then. foreign and Italian me
in evening suits. women of ali ne
tons in black gowns aud black veil
for headdress (such is the require
custom to visit the Pope) priests i
their black robes and shovel hats
students Of the various CathOli
colleges in their flowing gowns
trimmed in different coIored band
todistinguish the different nations
peasants aud princes. stout Amer
can ladies with camp stools-a fas
cinatiug scene had We time 10 watch
But tue crowd pushed US on. One
within doors we showed our ticket
and our pieces Of blue paper almos
seemed possessed OF magic. for sue
denly the crowd opened and W
=. found ourselves walking down th
vacant space, left clear in the Ger
ter Of the nave. between rows {
Italian soldiers who kept back th
throngs Of people standiugon eithe
side. About half way down tha
long, long aisle. we were met by
chamberlain, who looked as if
might have stepped from sixteent
century picture, in doubIet, hose an
ruff. and he escorted US to ou
places in the tribune, first to tn
left OF the great baldacchino, tn
huge canopy built over the tomb {
| the Apostle Peter,
+ We had long time to wait. but
did not drag for there was so niue
; OF interest to see and enjoy Abou
eleven the peal OF the trumpe
warned US that the Pope had lei
the Vatican. but we needed q