The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-12

tribunal to the palace. As he traverscd
 the reception hall his countenance was
 much flushed, his teeth set firmly like
 man who has taken strong resolution
 Close at his heels followed the Bishop
 of Orvietto and the aged Stephen Co.,
 ionna. 'I tell you. my lords," said Rienzi
 that your suit is useless; ye plead in
 vain Roman law has no distinction of
 ranks" Yet said Railnond the bishop
 hesitatingly, "bethink thee, Tribune the
 nephew of two cardinals and once him.
 self a senator" My lord bishop,, cried
 Rienzi, does not this make the crime
 more inexcusable? Look you; thus it reads: A vessel from Avignon to Na- pies. charges with the revenues of Pro- vence to Queen Johanna, wrecked at the mouth of the Fiber. With that Martino di Porto, noble as you say, the holder of that fortress from which he derives his title, doubly bound by his neigh bor's distress and by the obligations of
 gentle blood, falls upon that vessel with his troops and pillages it ike a common robber. He is apprehended, brought to trial before my tribunal and is justly sentenced. Such is the law.
 T implore for him mercy" said Stephen Colona. q. Colonna, sue for the life of an Orsini." q never knew you to plead for the life of a peasant my lord" retorted the Tribune. In short, Rienzi was memorable, and Mar ii di Porto swas hanged before the palace of thezcapitol in spite of all the n vrh oh nb fo to save his life. He was the first noble
 of the great families to suffer-and this was the beginning of the downfall of Cola Rienzi. A nephew of the car. dinal, a member of the great house of Orsini, to be hanged like a churl! The
 nobles no longer felt themselves bound by their oaths of allegiance to the
 'Buona Stato" They attempted to pro-
 cure the assassination of the Tribune on the night when he watched beside his
 arms in the Church of the Lateran-
 but their attempt was frustrated and
 some of the conspirators executed.
 This brought matters to crisis. The
 morning after the execution the barons fled from Rome. They fled to their
 castles in the country, and then gath : cred around them their armed retainers. Rienzi sent a herald to them demanding their immediate return. naughty re- fusal was the answer. All yhat day and next night rang tke alarm bell of the capitol, but on, the following morning tie assemblag was scant
 The people were stricken by fear and loudly upbraided Rienzi for exposing them to danger. The fugitives from all parts of the Campagna came hurrying in with reports, of houses burned con vents and vineyards pillaged, cattle and horses seized. Rienzi summoned his
 council and was for going forth to meet
 the rebels. But his timorous councillors
 were in favor of awaiting the barons
 behind the defenses of the Roman walls
 and the will of the council prevailed. The feelings of Adrian Colonna were such as utterly to baffle description. He had never been much among his house nor ever received more than common courtesy at their hands But lineage is lineage still. He had tried to mediate between the barons anu the Tribune
 and had found the fate of most medi-
 ators--both sides regarded him with
 suspicion because he sought to combat
 the prejudices of both sides.
 The barons attacked Rome and Rienzi,