The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-26
Body of the Pondff is Inferred With Ceremonies of More
 Than Royal SpIendOI
SCENE WITHIN TIE
 CHURCH Is BRILLIANT
Uniforms of Guards and Rich Gar ments of Cardinals Contrast Strik- inaly With Snow-White Pillars.
 The Body Rests in Chapel.

Rome, July 25.-The body of Pope Leo was inferred In St. Peters tonight The strokes of the hammer which resounded throughout the immense dome of the cathedral announced to the earnest gath ering in the nave that Leo XIII. had been laid to rest. At sundown the most inn portant and most selomn of all the obse- quies took place. The front doors of the basilica were closed and the vast church, except for a row of lights at the shrine of St. Peter the candles about the bier, and those persons who had quietly and with the utmost reverence gathered there, ap peared deserted.
 About one thousand persons had reeeiv- cd invitations to attend the ceremonies. The cardinals who met early in the vati- can entered the chapel choir waiting for the arrival of the procession, Cardinal oreglia, the camerlengo. 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 Rampona, as arch priest of the basllica, was awaiting outside the gates. in violet robes. surrounded by the chapter of the cathedral, which was led by Monsignor Cepetelli who conducted the service Drs. Lapponi and Mazzoni directed the work of the removal of the bier which was executed by eight sediari, or pope's car riers attired in their brilliant costumes. At first they tried to raise the bier but finding 1t too heavy they slowly slid it on to low car with noiseless wheels.
 Strains of the Miserere.
 To the strains of the '.Miserere" which walled through the lofty church and pre- ceded by glittering cross held aloft the procession, carrying candles and torches, slowly left the chapel and went up the church, passing the bronze statue and beyond 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 fickering light of the candles made the funeral procession the only visf- ble object and rendered the obscurity be- yond and behind 1t more noticeable.
 After slow progress around the church the sad cortege arrived at the chapel choir, the bier being so carried that the dead pope entered head first according
 
 obscurity flashing into the brilliancy of the suddenly turned on electric lights Here all those who had received invita- tons 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 general of the castle guards In the chapel the music changed to notes of joy and triumph. and Tn Para disum' rang out with telling effect.
 The Night Salute.
 From the outside the five bells of St. Peters rang their accustomed salute to the coming night, mingling tremendously with the music of the choir.
 The scene in the chapel was remark ably effective. The bier bearing the body was received by Cardinal Oregla. It was placed in the center, backed by an altar with a beautiful image or the Ma donna, 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 wear ing violet robes except Cardinals Gotti and Pierotti, who wore the white man. ties of their orders; Cardinal Marinelli, as an Augustinian and Cardinal Vivesy Tuto in Franciscan brown.
 Tn 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 Orsini, 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 ven- erable features and hands with a white silk veil bordered with gold. Over this the prefect of ceremonies spread a large red silk veil. which covered the whole person.
 Fire was lighted in brazier and blown by bellows, the sparks rising almost to the ceiling, while Monsignor Bartinel- II read for twenty minutes the Orato Brevis eulogizing the dead pontiff. The notary poponi S4 years of age read out of the burial record a service which he performed upon the occasion of the deaths of Pope Gregory XIV. and Pope Plus TX.
 Remains Laid to Rest.
 The monsignors of the basilca, 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 en- tire sacred college and Prince Colonna rising to their feet as a last tribute and sign of respect
 When the body had been carefully put in the coffin it was entirely concealed with the red velvet covering, which be fore had been resting on the bier. The major domo put beside the body two silk purses containing coins of silver and bronze medal struck during Leo's pom thcate An eulogy. written in magnifi- cent Latin and setting forth the great events of Pope Leo's life and reign. en-