The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-10
Historic BasHIca Presents a Magnificent Spectacle Dur-
 ing the Ceremony
NEW PONIIFF GREATLY
 FATIGUEO BY SERVICE
As He Spoke Ills Voice Gradually Grew Clear and Strong Until 1t Could be Heard to Limits
 of the Congregation.

Rome. August s.-The ceremony of the coronation of Pope Plus x. took place today in the Basilica of St. Peters in the presence of the princes and high dig nitaries of the church, diplomats and Roman nobles, and with all the soiemnity and splendor associated with this, the most magnificent rite of the Roman Catholic church.
 As Cardinal Macchi, the dean of the cardinal-deacons, placed the triple crown on the head of the venerable pontiff, the throng of seventy thousand persons gath cred within the cathedral burst into un- restrained acclamations, the choir in- toned hymn of triumph and the bells of Rome rang out joyful peal
 It is fifty-seven years since the Ro- mans and Europe assisted in such function as was held in St. Peters today
 Great Baslllca overfIowng.
 The great Basilica, popularly supposed never to have been quite full, was over flowing with humanity. The papal throne. a bewildering mixture of gold. red and silver, was erected in the front of the high altar As contrary to custom, on the ceremonious occasion, there were no galleries, the Basilica bore more of its normal aspect. On the altar, which was dressed in white, stood the famous silver gilt candlesticks and magnificent cru cifx. All the available standing space within the cathedral was divided into sec tions by wooden barriers which, to cer- tain extent, kept the vest crowd in or der. In the early hours after sunrise thick fog hung over Rome and one bank of the Tiber could not be seen from the other side. From the St. Angelo bridge one seemed to look into a fathomless abyss, instead of into the river. The ef- feet was especially magnificent on en- tering the piazza of St. Peters. At times Michael Angelo's great dome disappeared completely from view, while at others 1t appeared through the flowing golden mist.
 Intensely Hot.
 As the morning wore on the fog dispers- ed and the sun shone with all It's southern intensity, until it became unbearably hot, and the stones, columns and statutes seemed to radiate the heat on the thous- ands waiting to enter the church. At a. m the ringing of bells announced the imminent opening of the doors and com motion at once began among the crowd. But ten minutes had to elapse before the doors were opened and each seemed century to the waiting crowd which for hours already had been standing before the closed portals. The police and Italian soldiers had difficult task to maintain order as the crushing and fatigue had be- gun to tell on the patience of the people,. ' When the doors were opened the thrush was terrific, many who started from the the bottom of the outside, were lifted off their feet and carried into the cathedral. It was a great human torrent let lose, thousands of people rushing crushing and squeezing amid screams, protests, gestcu- lations and cries for help. But once in the whirlpool there was no escape and the conpactnes of the crowd proved to be the safety of those caught in 1t.
 Many Women Painted.
 Women tainted in comparatively large numbers and even men were overcome by the heat, but no serious accidents were re- ported. Fortunately there were very few children present. After their entrance the people had further long hours of wait Ing and it Is computed that the majority were on their feet altogether ten hours hye before the ceremony and another five hours while it lasted. Those who had re- eeived special invitations, including the high ecclesiasties who were not participat- Ing in the procession, the diplomats and the Roman aristocracy, had a reserved en- trance through the sacristy of St. Peters. Prince Massimo arrived, accompanied by his daughter-in-law, Princess Beatrice, the daughter of Don Carlos, and they were given prominent seats. Duke Robert of Parma was the only member of a royal family to attend. Among the aristocracy lhere was a great mixture of those Ro- pnan nobles who remain faithful to the papacy and those adherfng to the quirin- nal Squire Thomas Esmonde. represent Ing the Irish parliamentary party was re- .eived by two knights of the Cape and Sword one F. McNutt, an American snd conducted to the diplomatic enclosure
 Papa Procession Formed.
 Inside the vatican palace there was no k,ss movement and hustle as the papal procession, composed of about live hun fred persons, all of whom had gathered carly In the apostolic palace, was form sd The pope seemed to be the only tvanquil one among them all He rose enusually early and took stroll in the vatican garden. Then he allowed him. self to be dressed by the cardinals. He srinced no nervousness and even said fokingly to the master of ceremonies, xho the other day suggested that he should use the plural form in speaking eff himself We feel very well this morn ing. but we may feel different on return Ing from our coronation"
 Just before entering the sedia gesta- toria. he asked for his spectacles, and when the master of ceremonies discreetly binted that his holiness would look bet ter without them. he said: T have no desire to appear what am not" and he wore them during the entire ceremony.
 The procession was long time in get ting under way, but afterwards when It r,oved through the magnificent halls and corridors of the vatican. 1t recalled form CT days when all was color and picture saueness within the palace. The cen- n tral figure in the long procession was E Plus x. His heavy white robes and the red and gold mitre were worn without an effort' making a vivid contrast to