The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-04

was magnificent. There were assembled
many hundreds Of italian troops in various
modern uniforms, making a striking con
trast with the mediaeval costumes Of tbs
| Swiss Papal Guard on duty at the bronze
doors of the cathedral
CLASEING UMBRELLAS
The crowds which gathered before the
first Gordon OF troops were impatient as
they stood dripping under the persistent
rain.
There was a great clashlng of umbrellas
and a general feeling Of discomfort among
the waiting sightseers. who included very
many women in most varied attire, COM
prising foreigners Of all natfOna!ites and
Italians from all parts of the country. the
uniformity of the crowd being pleasantly
broken by groups of sisters in the different
gowns of their orders. Catholic students
and picturesQuely attired friars.
When, finally. the doors of St. Peters
were opened an almost indescribable struE-
rules of holiness and strove hard with push
Of elbows and feet to reach the interior Of
the sacred edif1ce, while on all sides were
heard cries Of fear and imprecationS not
very well suited to the spot where a nota-
BILE religious ceremony was about TO begin.
Once inside the cathedral. the ladies who
wore lace gowns found them to be in Il
much mutilated condition. and some of the
women were CARED away in a fainting
condition.
flowing and all the best standing places
were taken.
this great rush and the attention of the
PEOPLE was attracted to the giided throne
near the high altar and to the immense pill
lars of the Basilica. hung with red silken
draperies.
GROUPS OF ROYALTY.
Some OF the tribunes on each side Of the
altar We're filed with men and women blaz-
ing with decorations. In a group of royal
personages were the Crown Princess Vic
toria of Sweden and Norway. the Countess
Mathi.de of TRAM of the Bourbon-NapleS
family. the Grand Duchess of Saxe-W emar.
Duke Robert OF Parma. the Grand Duchess
of Mecklenburg. the Prince Of Liechten-
stein and Prince Macmillan OF Saxony.
In special tribune was the Pope's family.
the diplomatic corps and the members OF
the Order of Malta. all in full uniform.
Special interest was shown in the innova-
ton introduced by the uniforms of the diff
ferent detacbments of the papal guards.
brooches. red silk stockings black shoes and
red rosettes. FURNISHED steel cuirasses inlaid
with gold. and steel collars in addition TO
large white linen collars, starche1 stiff, fall
ing over their shoulders. The silvermounted
arms of the Swiss Guard were also inlafd
with gold and they wore steel helmets with
red ostrich piumes. similar to the helmets
of the sixteen CEntury.
The Noble Guard wore their new uniforms
of bright red.
majestic procession began to appear. 1t was
composed of the great dignitaries Of the
church. the forty-five Cardinals present.
gorgeous in their red robes, alone making a
most imposing. characteristic and pictur- |
esque group.
BELL OF ST. PETERS
At Il o'clock precisely the great bell OF |
st. Peters's rang out a signal. which was |
followed by the Changing of the bells OF |
about 500 churches in Rome. as they sound |
cd the announcement that the pont!n was |
on his way TO the Basilica.
The life of the ancient city seemed to /
pause for moment. hats were raised and |
the sign of the cross was made.
Shortly afterwards. Inside st. Peters's. |
silver trumDets blared out their message |
ana the pontiff appeared.
The people held their breath for a mo-
ment, and then all Of the pent-up enthusi- |
asm burst forth in tremendous roar OF
welcome.
From his elevation the new sedia
yestatoria, carried By twelve men IN cos
tunes of red brocade. fanked by the famous
mounted by white and gold canopy. the |
Pope appeared to be more than human
being. He seemed to be a white spirit. this
impression being added to by the pontiff's
lures. face white alabaster. and his thin
hand moving slowly in benedction.
OVERCOME WITH EMOTION.
As the sweet-toned. well-trained voices
y the sistine choir sang Tu Es Petrus,
Pope Leoe' Handkerchiefs fluttered in the
iir. the banners CT the various societies |
epiesented were waved: and many of those |
oudly. while others tainted from excess of
ceiling or fatigue.
Meanwhile, the Pope proceeded slowly on |
yhaf seemed carpet Of heads. absorbing
he entire attention of the vast throng
When the Pope arrived at the throne the |
CEREMONY proceeded rapidly. Leaving the
sdia ,gestatoris. the pontiff knelt and
rayed. and then rose without assistance, |
onned the falda and the new triple crown J
nd the celebration Of the mass began
At the moment of the elevation Of tis