Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-08-11

1QLO uQf6SLTdlQ6Q dCCldIlldIlOUS, luc
choir intoned hymn of triumph and
the bells of Rome rang out a joyful
peal.
Inside the BasiIca.
It is fifty-seven years since the Ro-
mans and Europe assisted in such
function as was held in st. Peters
yesterday. The great basilica, popu-
larly supposed never to have been
quite full, was overflowing with hui
manity. The papal throne, bewilder-
ing mixture of gold, red and silver,
was erected in front of the high altar.
AS contrary to custom on these cere-
monious occasions, there were no gal
leries, the basilica bore merely a nor
NAL aspect. On the altar, which was
dressed in white, stood the famous
silver gilt candesticks and a magnifi-
cent crucifix. All che available stand
ing space within the cathedral was
divided into sections by wooden bar
riers, which to certain extent kept
the vast crowd in order.
Order Hard to Maintain
In the early hours after sunrise a
thick fog hung over Rome, but as the
morning wore on the fog disappeared
and the sun shone with all its south
ern intensity, until it became unbear-
ably hot, and the stones, columns and
statues seemed to radiate the heat on
the thousands waiting to enter the
church. At 6 o'clock a. m. the ring
ing of bells announced the imminent
opening of the doors, and commo-
tion at once began among the crowd.
The police and Italian soldiers had
a difficult task to maintain order as
the crushing and fatigue had begun
to tell on the patience of the peo-
pie.
Pope Faced Ordeal TRANQUILITY.
Inside the vatican palace there was
less movement and hustle as the papal
procession composed of about five
hundred person. all of whom had
gathered early in the apostolic palace
was formed The pope seemed to be
the only tranquil one among them all.
He rose unusually early and took a
stroll in the vatican garden. Then he
allowed himself to be dressed by the
cardinals He evinced no nervousness
and said jokingly to the master of cere-
monies, who the other day said he
should use the plural form in speaking
of himself: Eve feel very well this
morning, but it may be different on
returning from our coronation"
The Procession.
The procession was long time in
getting under way, but afterwards, as
it moved through the magnificent halls
and corridors of the vatican, it re-
called former days when all was color
and picturesqueness within the pal
ace.
The central figure in the long cortege
was Plus x, borne in the sedia gesta-
toria. His heavy white robes and the
red and gold mitre were worn without
an~effort making memorable contrast
to those memorable occasions on which
Pope Leo XIII wore them, for Leo
seemed always unable to support their
weight. Over the pope's head a can
opy was held by eight men, while the
historic ostrich fans gave hint OF
the barbaric feature to western eyes.
Old Rites Observed.
In front marched the cardinals, q
gorgeous bit of color. with many hand
some faces among them, the cardinal
bishops in their capes. the cardina
priests wearing chasubles. and the car
4 dinal deacons in their dalmatics. An
other feature which evoked murmurs
OF admiration and craning of necks
was the chaplain in his crimson cape
bearing the cushion on which repose6
the famous triple crown soon soon te
rest on the head of Plus x. He was
i accompanied by the pontifical jewelel
and a special guard, composed ol
Swiss, and was followed by the choil
Of the Sistine chapel which sang as il
went along.
Worships in sistine Chapel.
Before leaving the vatican the pope
went to the Sistine chapel to WORSHIP
before the sacrament exposed there
thence passing through the Salia Ragis
and the Constantine staircase into the
portico of the basilica. He there seated
himself on a throne erected directly
before the holy door, and with seats
around for the members OF the sacred
college, the chapters of st, Peters anC
the papal court. AT the right of tht
Continued on Page Five)