The Van Buren press., 1903-07-25
Iy|A|E IN THRONE ROOM.
me- Beginning of the Great Cere-
monies Incidental to the
Funeral of Leo XIII.
hoy LYING IN STATE IN THRONE ROOM.
n,,Iomats Accredited to the Nafi-
am. Roman Princes and Mobiles
Faithful TO the Papacy, Together
with Many Church Dignitaries
Pms. Before the Bier.

Rome. July 23.-The first of the
kreat ceremonies of Pope Leo's fu-
sra commenced Wednesday, when
ke body lay in state in the throne
HON Of the vatican from $3.50 a. m.
| Iptn ! p. m. All the diplomats ac-
,radited TO the vatican, the Roman
brinces, dukes, barons and other rep
,pspntatiyes of ancient families re-
naming faithful to the papacy, all
h. high dignities of the church, the
Irchhshops, bishops and heads Of the
Engious orders passed in solemn pro-
Is,on before the bier.
Bier Replaces the Throne.
The papal throne had been re-
bowed, and its place under the ia
IBous red silken canonv, on
Imal bed, lay the body of Leo Over
b. bed was thrown a red damasli
lyerng, on which the body reposed,
bbed in white yestments, with the
Ii rochet and camure hood, and on
b. feet slippers embroidered with
bid. The thin hands, clasped over
BE- chest held tightly a small ivory
kucifN Around this was entwined
rosary Of mother Of pearl set in
bid. On the third finger of the right
|lnd the huge emerald pontitical ring
barkIed, In striking contrast with
ghastly face was the purple
bod, drawn down over the head, al
lost 70 the eyebrows and over the
! rs, The sunken checks and jaws
Fought the nose and chin nearly to-
kther on the mouth, which was re-
Rlced almost to nothing, though no
|gns Of agony were visible. II was
ie corpse of man who might have
ben dead 50 years.
The Noble Guard on Duty.
On either side, near the shoulders,
FOOD member of the noble guard,
fect and motionless, only faint
liyer Of the drawn swords giving any
|dication that they were not mere
|atues, The ordeal OF the soldiers
the heated chamber is so intense
lat they have TO be constantly re-
Iyed
Al the four corners OF the bed stood
GIFTED candles. On the right of the
bdy, close 70 the bed, was "A small
pie covered with a white linnen
b'h, on which were two candles,
Prowing glimmer OF light on the
FacihN between them. At the foot
the cross was a crystal bowl, filed
pm holy water, from which each car
|nal, when he passed the body, sprin-
FED II and uttered IA benelction. Be
De this were the devotional book,
Ped by the pope.
The Franciscan P~nitentinries.
Inc silence was only broken by the
'Iemn chanting Of six Franciscan
fnl,entiaries who. knccling or stand.
x at n bench at the foot OF the bier,
'h'lnued their incessant supplication,
10 the left and right, on the walls,
20 great gold and marble brackets
'pported many-branched cnndelabra,
II they were not lighted, nor were
e lamps on the marble columns at
ch corner " the throne room, The
ny light thrown on this solemn
enc came from the candles beside
g body and from the faint rays of
might which filtered through the
'o windows.
Not n Flower to he Seen.
The red damask tapestries with
hlch the room was hung gave a
uch Of royal splendor to the sur
'undmgS, Otherwise II was a most
hple scene for thc death rite Of a
'pe' There was no carpet on the
hfO'o lloor, aud not q flower was 10
seen, according TO the strict ritual
the last honors Of the church TO
,ntir.
outside the vatican an interested
owd, including u number Of Italian
IdierS, watched the coming ana go
: Of the privileged mournrrs, In
r meanwhile the congregation OF
rdhoIs met In the hail OF the con-
''orS under the presidency of car
nal Orcglia, II WAS determined to
range for the accommodation OF the
tdInoIs during their enforced seclu'
IN AT the conclnNc in exactly the
me mannvr as when Pope Leo was
'ctcd,
mgr Merry Del Val took mp the du,
y OF secretary Of the conIStorlaI
ORrcputlon,
NlrOi,T ON TuE AUTOPSY,