The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-26

been laid to rest. The front doors of the basilica were closed and the vast church, except for row of lights at the shrine of St. Peter, the candles about the pier and those persons who had quietly and with the utmost reverence gathered there, appeared deserted.
 About 1000 persons had received invita- lions to attend the ceremonies. The car dinals, who met early in the Vatican. ent- cred the chapel together waiting there for the arrival of the procession, Cardinal Oreglia, the Camerlingo, holding the keys of command Through special permission a representative of the Associated Press was allowed to enter the Chapel of the Sacrament before the remains of the dead Pontiff were removed.
 Cardinal Rampolla, as Archbishop of the Basilica, was awaiting outside the gates, in violet robes, surrounded by the Chapter of the Cathedral which was led by Mgr Cepetelli. who conducted the service. Doctors Lapponi and Mazzoni di- rected the work of the removal of the bier which was executed by eight sediari, or Popes carriers, attired in their bril- liant costumes. At first they tried to raise the bier, but finding 1t too heavy they slowly slid 1t on to low car With noiseless wheels.
 TO STRAINS OF "MIsERERE" Then the strains of the "Miserere,"
  ceded by giittering cross held aloft, the procession, carrying candles and torches, slowly left the chapel and went up the church, passing the bronze statue and be- yond the shrine of St. Peter.
 St. Peters is peculiarly fitted to be the background of such a scene. The cold whiteness of her vast pillars showed up the bright uniforms of the guards. The violet robes of the clergy and the bier. while the hickering light of the candles made the funeral profession the only wis., ible object and rendered the obscurity beyond and behind it more noticeable.
 After slow rrogress around the church the sad cortege arrived at the chapel choir, the bier being so carried that the dead Pope entered head first according to the ceremonial, the chapel from semi obscurity flashing into the brilliancy of the suddenly turned on electric lights. Here all those who had received invita- tions were stopped, remaining in the main part of the basilica behind double line of Swiss Guards in their peculiar yellow, red and black uniforms Within the chapel was Count Camello Pecci, a nephew of the late Pope, wearing the red uniform of a general of the Castle Guards.
 A SOLEMN SCENE. sss2
 In the chapel the music changed 10 notes of joy and triumph and Tn Para Disum" rang out with telling effect. From outside the five bells of St. Peters rang their usual salute to coming night, mihgling harmoniously with the music of the choir.
 The scene in the chapel was remarkably effective. The bier bearing the body was received by Cardinal Oreglia. It was placed in the center, back by an altar with a beautiful image of the Madonna before which were burning four immense candles in silver staffs. Around the two sides of the chapel in the choir seats, were thirty-siX cardinals, all wearing Vio- let robes, except Cardinals Gotti and Pi- erotti, who wore the white mantles Of their orders; Cardinal Marinelli, as an Augustinian, and Cardinal Wives Tuto, in Franciscan brown.
 In the middle of the right side of the chapel among the cardinals sat Prince Mercantonio Colonna, assistant to the pontifical throne, with an empty seat next him, owing to the fact that Prince Orsinl, who held the same position. had resigned. The body was sprinkled with holy wa ter absolution was given and the foot Of Leo XIII. was kissed for the last time by Major Domo Cagiano, Master of the Chamber Bisleti and Count Camille Pecci. The Major Domo then covered the vener- able features and hands with white silk veil bordered with gold. Over this the prefect of ceremonies spread large red
  Fire was lighted in a brazier and blown by a bellows, the sparks rising almost to the ceiling while Mgr. Bartolini read for twenty minutes the Cratic Brevis. eulogiz- ing the dead pontiff, and Notary Poponi, S4 years old, read out the burial record, a service which he performed upon the death of Pope Gregory XVI and Pope Plus TX.
 The Body Cofhned.
 The monsignors of the basilica, aided by the noble guard, then laid all that was mortal of Leo XIII in a cypress coffin lined with red satin and bearing on the cover an inlaid cross. The entire sacred college and Prince Colonna rising to their feet as a last tribute and sign of respect. When the body had been carefully put fin the coffin 1t was entirely concealed with the red velvet covering which before had been on the bier. The Major Domo nut beside the body two silk purses con taining coins of silver and bronze medal struck during Leo's pontificate. An eulogy, written in magnificent Latin and setting forth the great events of Pope Leo's life and reign, enclosed in metal tube, was also inferred with the body.
 When all had been arranged, the supreme prayer was said and the last benediction was given. all present joining in Half suppressed sobs were heard on all sides.
 The second coffin was of lead and very heavy. On the cover at the head was a cross just below which was skull and crossed bones. while below these there were the arms of the late Pope with the triple crown but without the keys, as they signify living victory.
 At the bottom was a plate bearing the following inscription:
 Corpus Leoni M ViXit an XCIII M " D XVIII Eccles Univers Prefuit an XIV Mensis 5.
 Obit die xxx Juli an MCMIII.
 This coffin was sealed personally with the arms of the camerlingo.
 Lid Soldered On.
 The major domh of the chapel of the basllica lighted a brazier which was used in soldering the coffin. producing sounds and sights strange to hear and see in a church. These two collins were then en- closed in a third casket of polished walnut without decorations. The sad duties were softened and smoothed by the sweetness of the singing of the choir and the pray CTS of the clergy.
 When the last supreme moment came the heavy collins weighing in all l'S2- pounds. were rolled out of the chapel preceded by mace bearers and cholrs singing as they went and followed by all the cardinals, among whom the bowed figure of Oreglia, the strong upright van nutelH brothers, the white haired AgAard and the immense black broWed Svampa