Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-24
TRIBUTES OF LOVE
CONTINUED from page ~

sands.
Elaborate preparations had been
made to guard against accidents in the
church. All converging streets were
cleared of vehicles leaving them free
for foot passengers. while six ambu-
lance stations had been erected, in
Guiding one at the entrance to the piaz-
"a and another beside the door of St.
Peters.
Exactly at 6 o'clock, the bells Of the
great cathedral began tolling mourn
fully. the chimes running down through
the scale until deep bass stroke had
completed the minor chord.
At the sound Of the first bell two reg
iments Of Italian Grenadiers marched
smartly across the piazza to the stone
steps and soon the vast portico
swarmed for the first time in years
with italian troops-300 on the portico
and 1900 surrounding the colonnades.
The Grenadiers wore long blue service
coats and peaked caps. They stood in
double column at parade rest, the hnes
extending from the threshold OF the
church through a narrow gateway OF
a temporary wooden structure Whicn
was holding back the crowd.
At sos, the gate was opened and the
human tide began to flow in. The jam
at the narrow entrance soon became
terrific, threatening serious results TO
the struggling mass Of half fainting
women and children. Although the
crowd was not extraordinarily large, the
steady movement into the funnei-ilke
enclosure made the pressure terrlnc.
Many women had their dresses or Vells
torn off and some were lifted exhaust
ed over the wooden enclosure and out
Of the crush. Fortunately there were
no serious accidents and the ampu-
lances were not summoned.
Within the church the temporary
ratings had been erected to keep the
people in q straight line leading direct
Iy to the bier. This was the center TO
which all eyes turned. The silent form
Law on a catafalque ten feet high SO
that all could sect. The body was
slightly inclined, with the head raised
and facing the passing throng. The
yisage had a chalky whiteness and APP
neared to be unnaturally shrivelled.
| II was robed in the full vestments as
the Roman public knew the Pontiff in
life Around the bier burned IL high
candles, while on each side stood the
Noble Guards, motionless. Further
back were kneeling priests and acolytes
| softly intoning invocations.
The crowd pushed against the iron
| trellis which separates the chapel from
the ma In norton of the church, but those
who expected to kiss the slippered feet
were disappointed, as the officials hac
| adoDted precautionary measures SO
J that the lower extremities of the body
| were half a yard back of the iron
grating.
| All ranks and stations of life were
represented in the faces which were
were pressed against the trellis. Many
were working people; there also were
groups of convent girls under the care
of nuns and Of school boys headed by
priests. Crowds continued to pass be-
i fore the bier throughout the morning.
| At $50, q solemn pontincal requiem
mass was celebrated in st. Peters for
the repose of the soul Of Leo XIII. The
crowd was kept constantly moving
i thousand people were present, although
IN so large church, capable of con-
tanning 10000 people, they appeared to
be a mere handful, especially as they
| were all standing.
Cardinal. Oreglia feels worn out. ow-
ing to his unaccustomed exertions. His
life as a cardinal was one of uninter-
rupted serenity and he now practically
bears the entire burden of the church
4 and also the minute details Of the prep
arations for the obsequies and conclaves
Notwithstanding this, he opened this
4. mornings meeting of the congregation
4 Of cardinals.
II Anumher OF those present, today, wa!
Il augmented by the presence of two new
arrivals. Cardinal Domino Scampa
| Archbishop Of Bologna, and Carolina
GIulio Boschi, Archbishop Of Ferrera
. The former was especially warmly wei
, coined by his colleagues, as being on
| Of the most prominent members of thu
l Sacred College and because he is men
toned among those most likely to sue
coed Pope Leo.
1t Is now being remarked that Cardi
nal Oreglia's responsibilities have soft
ened his austerity and he is directing
affairs with firmness, but withou
harshness showing the cardinals ever,
consideration and giving constant proc
Of equanimity.
Il
crowd at ST. Peters decreased and lit
tie difficulty was experienced in view
ing the body.
An extraordinarily significant ele
ment was introduced later in the morn
ing by Italian soldiers enering thu
church for the maintenance of order il
full uniforms, wearing their caps AM
side arms. They stood two deep il
front Of the body itself. until the who'll
church assumed an aspect almost NOR
military than religious.
The event which was unprecedented
!. created widespread comment. TIL
= presence of the soldiers was general,
|, interpreted to mean another step to
= warards IMPROVEMENT between tn
II church and state, as heretofore tn
Vatican has always maintained tina
u it has a sufficient force of soldiers to in
sure order within its own territory an
the influence is drawn that the Vatica
and the government have come to sue
an agreement that italian troops ma
/, during the lifetime of the next Pope b
! D1fnr