New-York tribune., 1905-04-16
BORDTGHERA,S GROYES.
italian Village Which Has Priuilege
of Supplying Palms to Yaticas.

More than three hundred years ago an i'm
H;eHse crowd gathered before St Peters. in
Rome, to witness the raising Of an Egyptian
obeliSk The work involved many risks and
the preparations for its accomplishment were
surrounded with much impressive ceremony. II
is said that DOnenico Fontana the engineer in
charge Of the raising. became at the very last
hour so aDprehens.ve OF failure that he ap-
Pealed to Pope SixtUs v begging him To com
mand the vast number or spectators TO keep alb
sOlute silence. lest some chance noise should
confuse the wOrkmen- He himself arranged TO
communicate his orders by an elaborate system
Of flags and signals
At last the critical moment arrived. The POpe
after celebrating a solemn mass and blessing
the eight hundred wOrkmen. took his place on
balcony overlooking the scene The great
square was filed with the multitude OF people.
who followed the proceedings with breathIess
interest UnbrOken silence. however. reigned.
for the Pope, in response to Fontana's appeal
had issued stern edict. decreeing death to
any one who uttered a sound.
All went well until near the end Of the work
when suddenly, as the Obelisk stood almost up
right the ropes which supported the enormous
weight stretched, and the great shaft wavered
Instantly. from the midst OF the throng Of peo-
pie q voice was raised, in disregard OF the
death penalty. and q ringing cry wet the
ropes!" was heard This practical advice being
followed at once. the ropes soon shrunk untu
taut again. and the ObeIisk. saved from iInrni-
nent danger Of falling. was safely drawn into
position
Search was made for the author Of the cry
who proved to be a sailor named Bresca. from
the neishbOrhOOd OF BOrdighera. on the Medi-
terranean shore His knowledge OF ropes had
suggested to him the remedy at the crisis. and
carried away BY the excitement OF the moment
he had forgotten the threatening command for
silence.
Abashed and trembling at his tennerity, the
offender was led before Pope Sixtus- Great WIS
his amazement and relief. however. to De met
with words Of forgiveness and praise, Instead
Of imposing the dreaded punishment. the Pope
bade him ask some especial favor. which should
be bestowed upon him in token Of gratitude.
Mindful OF the resources OF his native coast
Gns sailor asked that for al future time the
right should be given to him and his family
to supply palms to the Chapter OF St Peters
Tor Palm Sunday. Assured by the Pope that
this privilege should be granted. Bresca returned
% his home again. rejoicing in the benefit which
his tmpetuOus words were to bring to BOrdi-
ghera through years to come.
Such IS the origin OF BOrdigheras palm in
dustry, according TO the tales which are CLEANED
from old histories. The different reports vary
somewhat as to facts. yet the story In al its
essential details IS constantly quoted in Bordi-
shera, and the village stin claims its annual
privilege OF supplying the Vatican with palms
on Palm Sunday.
BOrdighera Is situated On ne coast OF the
Mediterranean. but unlike most OF the Rivira
towns. which lie within shallow bays. II occu-
plies prominent and exposed position Ths
Cage OF SAINTS AmQesiie an which tbs town