The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-07-27

times; the swaddling clothes in which the
lnfant Christ was wrapped, and the linen
Baptist was shrouded after his execution
by Herod. The virgins dress is of the fin
est white linen, and its pure color has been
strangely preserved TO this very day, OK
cept for a number of spots down the front,
which upon a microscopic examination were
found to be milk spots a circumstance that
vout-
BIoOdstaIns Upon Robe.
This robe was one of the few delics that
escaped in a truly miraculous way, when
the great part OF the interior of the vener-
able cathedral was destroyed by fire IN 1893.
The shrOud of st. John the Baptist is OF
the finest Egyptian linen. but yellow with
age, anc has numerous blood stains upon
II. Tn Empress Helena. mother OF Con-
sSsntine. secured II from Johns disciples;
The swaddling. clothes are OF amb's wool
ana lie In a cssket OF pure gold. with a plate
glass front All the year around young
mothers pay their devotions to It. bringing
offerings Of flowers and candles. and no one
below the rank OF priest In full cenontcai
dress. is ever permitted to touch It.
The relics rCrose in their gorgeous shrine
Of precious metals and Jewels, and were re-
Gently exhibited from the balcony OF the
cathedral tower, in plain view Of all. The
pilgrims and priests IN full regalia chsnted
prayers before improvised affairs. the whole
vast multitude taking up the response.
Ceremony of Blessing.
The relics were afterwards brought down
into the cathedral and a long procession
was formed OF crippled and sick, bearing
the articles they desired to have touched
TO the sacred relies. which were for the time
being taken from their caskets and placed
upon snowy pillows uneer a magnificent
canopy Of blue silk. embroidered with silver.
This ~ereInony Is repeated every day at
certain hours during the fortnight of the
festival. With slight variations and mGdi-
hcations IL has been repeated every seven
years for at least five centuries. To-day.
as did their ancestors hundreds Of years
ago. the pilgrims eat and sleep upon he
stone psverrents. only the aged being pro-
vfded with rude tents.
Aix-la-Chapelle. or Aachen, is peculiarly
rich In historic associations. Charlemagne.
who was probably born and certainly died
in the town, made II the second city OF his
empire and the capital of his dominiOns
privileges Upon Its citizens. exempting them
nom military service and from all taxes,
even when they were living in other parts
Of the Empire. From sl3 TO 1881 the En-
perors OF Germany were crowned at Aix-.a-
Chapelle. and II became one of the most
Important free imperial cities. But long ago
the city Of Charlemagne lost its leading po-
sition
Fetes Held In Cathedral.
Although its ancient glory has denart+d.
i is still OF great interest to tourists. The
Cathedral, the scene of the present feTre.
consists of two parts, distinct in STYLE OF
architecture, and as TO the time Of their
erection. The older portion dates from 40.
when IL was erected by Charlsmagne as The
surrounded by q si~xteen-sided gallery ara
terminating in q cupola. The beautiful
Gothic choir which forms the more modern
part OF the cathedral was added In the
Fourteenth Century.
~ The cathedral IS the mar