The Forrest City times., 1903-07-24
IN S|AIE IN THRONE ROOM.
The Beginning of the Great Cere- monies Incidental to the Funeral of Leo XIII.
BODY LYIN6 IN STATE IN THRONE ROOM.
Diplomats Accredited to the yati- can. Roman Princes and Nobles Faithful to the Papacy, Together With Many Church Dignttaries Pass Before the Bier.


 Rome. July 23.-The first of the great ceremonies of Pope Leo's fu- neral commenced Wednesday, when the body lay in state in the throne room of the vatican from 9:30 a. Tn. until l p. m. All the diplomats ac- credited 10 the vatican. the Roman princes. dukes, barons and other rep resentatises of ancient families re- maining faithful to the papacy, all the high dignities of the church. the archhishops, bishops and heads of the religious orders passed in solemn pro cession before the bier.
 Bier Replace. the Throne. 1 The papal throne had been re- moved, and it's place under the ia nous red silken canonv. on q small bed, lay the body of Leo. Over the bed was thrown red damask | covering, on which the body reposed. robed in white vestments. with the l red rochet and camure hood. and on the feet slippers embroidered with gold. The thin hands, clasped over the chest, held tightly q small ivory crucifiX Around this was entwined rosary of mother of pearl set in gold. On the third finger of the right l hand the huge emerald pontifical ring sparkled. In striking contrast with the ghastly face was the purple hood, drawn down over the head. al- most to the eyebrows and over the ears. The sunken cheeks and jaws brought the nose and chin nearly to- gether on the mouth. which was re- duced almost to nothing. though no signs of agony were visible. It was the corpse of a man who might have been dead 50 years.
 The Noble Guard on Duty. On either side, near the shoulders. stood q member of the noble guard. erect and motionless, only faint culver of the drawn swords giving any indication that they were not mere statues. The ordeal Of the soldiers l in the heated chamber is so intense that they have to be constantly re- lieved
 Al the four corners of the bed stood lighted candles. On the right of the body, close to the bed. was a small table covered with white linnen cloth. on which were two candles. throwing a glimmer of light on the cruclfX between them. At the foot of the cross was crystal bowl. filled with holy water, from which each car dlnal, when he passed the body, sprin- kled 1t and uttered a benediction. Be side this were the devotional books used by the pope.
 The Franciscan Penftentiarfes
 The silence was only broken by the solemn chanting of six Franciscan penitentiaries who. kneeling or stand ing at bench at the foot of the bier. continued their incessant supplication. To the left and right. on the walls, two great gold and marble brackets supported many-branched candelabra. but they were not lighted. nor were the lamps on the marble columns At | each corner of the throne room. The | only light thrown on this solemn | scene came from the candles beside the body, and from the faint rays of sunlight which filtered through the two windows
 Not Flower to Hc Seen The red damask tapestries with which the room was hung gave a touch of royal splendor to the sur roundings. Otherwise it was a most simple scene for the death rite of a pope. There was no carpet on the marble floor, and not a flower was 10 be seen. according to the strict ritual of the last honors of the church to a pontitf.
 Outside the vatican an interested crowd, including a number of Italian soldiers, watched the coming and go- ing of the privileged mourners. In the meanwhile the congregation of cardinals met in the hall of the con sistory, under the presidency of Car dinal Oreglia. It was determined to arrange for the accommodation of the cardinals during their enforced seclu- sion at the conclave in exactly the same manner as when Pope Leo was elected.
 Mgr. Merry Del Val took up the du- ties of secretary of the consistorial congregation.
 REPORT ON THE AUTOPSY.