New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-02
FLAMES IN THE VATICAN


selected for part of the vatican's exhibit at the
St. Louis Exposition. The famous Bramante
staircase leads to that part of the Vatican
where the fire broke out
The gendarmes broke in the doors Of NJ.
Marles apartment, and found him in a heavy.
sleep. 1t is supposed that he retired, and forgot
to take proper precautions with his kitchen fire,
which probably blazed up and ignited some
nearby hangings.
GREAT CONFUSION IN THE PALACE.
The fire rapidly assumed such proportions
that the gendarmes, who were the first on the
scene, gave an immediate general alarm. The
tire palace awoke to instant life. and there
much excitement. The Swiss Guards, the Papal
1remen, gendarmes, priests and dOmestics, all
rushed hither and thither in ignorant confusion.
asking what the matter. knowing
where or what the danger was or what to do.
News of the fire was Immediately conveyed to
the Pope. who was found kneelng in his chapel
for his usual evening prayer. He insisted upon
going al once TO the scene. the work of fighting
the flames and personally assisted in putting
out the fire.
II was a difficult blaze to overcome There
were a number Of old and inflamma5le objects
in the apartment of NJ. Marie. and the wooden
roof over this room made it easy Cor the flames
to spread to adjoining rooms equally full of
tween the papal firemen and the fremen of
Rome to who should work the harder and
do the most resulted in a display of courage
which was admirable some Of the fire fighters
risking their lives until they were restrained by
their superiors.
At little after IL o'clock the fire was under
control, but the work of the firemen will con-
tinue for some time, and it is doubtful if they
will leave the scene before tomorrow morning.
Fresh relays Of men being sent to relieve
those whose efforts have exhausted them.
HEAVY LOSS CAUSED BY WATER.
The entire Museum of Inscriptions. the rooms
Of Father Ehrle. part Of the library and the
printing houses were entirely flooded with water.
1t is impossible to reach even approximate
idea of the extent of the damage. Many articles
were saved. including some ancient and very
valuable arms. which were recently moved to
the library from the Borgia apartment. in order
TO make room for the new residence of the Papal
Secretary of State. Many things that escaped
the flames were injured by water, especially
the precious private library of Pope Leo, which
Father Ehrle was in the midst of rearranging
in accordance with the wish of the late pontif.
Russell sturgis has written for Johnson's Uni
versal Cycop@dia the following account Of the
Vatican:
ace Of the Vatican, has been the official residence
Of the pores since the XVIII century The Vatican
and the earliest wall that inclosed II built I'M
der Pope Leo " about $50 A. d. Before that time
to the Basiica of ST. Peter. Their official
II GS7o-7S returned to Rome from Avignon the
Lateran was in ruinous condition, and since then
the Vatican has generally been the papal residence
proper. Under Nicholas 04f7-50 the rebuilding
s 6 Pa II n 6ah the three
buildings surrounding the court of S: Damaso and
- LED of m q q q
rus " dll-S6 built the sistine Chapel. Innocent
eries, and either built finished the covered pas
Of SAINT 1 An eeGS julius 1s II d5o89 nis6ed the
tant court of the Belyedere by the long galleries
which are now used for the museums, PauI III
and the Sala Rega, which leads to it. Gregory
XIII G52S5 continued the long galleries Of Julius
Of s Damaso which come close to the great colon
PAGES tnat nG!ose me open page IN tronI OF 81
hhSaVIing been finished until the Teig1 OF Plus TX
connects the long galleries OF the museum and con
als itH&li some 81 te most SeuIptures.
Of buildings. inclosing and fronting on twenty diff
eleven thousand rooms has no exterior architectu.
raj effect. but seems an accidental gathering of
ever; much architectural display in the buildings
eries and is particuariy noted for the vail paint
ings such as those by PeruEino Signorelli, Botti-
Ssn 5 thee % @ and and bis gqP II
da Cdine and by Raphael himself and his other
pupils in the loggie on the court Of 5. Damaso. The
palace contains the largest collection Of classical
statuary in Europe. although Of the pieces are
Roman copies Of Greek originals There is
Etruscan museum CT great interest and a small
Egyptian museum The picture gallery contains
few works. although they of great Importance.
The tapestries in the Galleria degli Arazzi
notable. Ancient maps of interest are contained in
the Galleria GeOgrafca. The library is famous for
its magnificent collection OF manuscripts and its
rare early printed books. In connection with the
library is an immense collection Of gems and small
objects of value Christian antiquities and objects
Of art presented to different pOpCs by sovereigns
and others. The papal mandatory of mosaic is
also contained in the palace.