The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-08-10

Rome. August 9.-The ceremony OF tho
coronation of Pope Plus X took place to-
dav in the tasilica Of St. Peters In the
presence of the princes and high dignita-
ries Of the church, diplomats and Ro-
man mobiles. and with all the solemnity
and splendor associated with this the
most magnificent rite Of the Roman
Catholic church.
AS Cardinal Macchi, the dean Of the
cardinal-deacons. paced thu triple crown
on the head of the venerable pontlff, tho
throng OF seventy thousand pei sons gath
cred within the cathedral burst into I'M
restrained accla mations, the choir In
toned Il hymn of triumph and the cells
Of Rome rang out joyful peal.
1t is fifty seven years since the Ro-
mans and Europe assisted in such a func-
ton as was held in St. Peters to lay.
The great basilica, popularly suppose
lee to have been quite fuil. was over
flowing with humanity. The papll III one.
bewilderine mixture Of golu. red ana
silver was erected in front of Il e hlSh
altar. As, contrary to custom. on these
ceremOniOus occasions there were no gal
leries. the basiica bore more of its nor
NAL aspect ON the altar which was
dressed
gilt candlesticks and magnificent cru
cihx All the available standing space
within the cathedral was divided into sec
lions by wooden barriers, which to Ger
tain extent kept the vast crowd In or
der.
When the doors were opened the in
rush vas terrific. many who started from
the bottom of the steps. outside. were
rg4-
cathedral. 1t was a great human torrent
let loose, thousands OF people rushing
crushing and squeezing amid screams,
protests gesticulations and cries for help.
But once In the whirlpool there was no
escape and the compactness of the crowd
proved to be the safety Of those caught
in II. Women tainted In comparatively
large numbers and even men were over
come by the heat. bat no serious acct
dents were reported. Fortunately there
were very few children present. After
their entrance the people had further
long hours OF waiting and 1t Is computed
that the minority were on their feet all
together ten hours. five before the cere-
mony and another five hours while it
lasted.
Dressing the Pope.
Inside the vatican palace there was no
less movement and hustle as the papal
! procession. composed of about 800 persons,
all of whom had gathered early in the
apostolic palace, was formed. The pope
seemed TO be the only tranquil one among
them all He rose unusually early and
took stroll in the vatican garden. Then
he allowed himself to be dressed by
the cardinals lie evinced no nervousness,
and even said, jokingly, to the master of
ceremonies, who, the other day. suggest
ed that he should use the plural form
in speaking of himself We feel very
well this morning. but we may be differ
eut on returning from our corQnation."
just before entering the sedia gesta-
toria. he asked for his spectacles, and,
when the master OF ceremonies discreet
" limited that his holiness would look
better without them. he said Il have
no desire TO appear what l am not" and
he wore them during the entire cere-
mony.
The procession was long time in get
ting under way. but afterwards, when it
moved through the magnificent halls and
corridors of the vatican 1t recalled the
former days when all was color and pic
turesuueness within the palace. The cen
trail figure in the long procession was
Plus X. HIS heavy white robes and the
rcd and gold mitcs were worn without