The Irish standard., 1915-05-22
LEGEND OF A SWEET ANTHEM.

LEGEND OF A SWEET ANTHEM.
Those whose hearts are lifted up
with Joy as they hear the pure voices
of children singing Regina Coeli, AL
leluia," at this Eastertide will be glad
to know the legend of the first sing
ing of this sweet anthem.
When the Great Gregory was Pope
500 years after our Lord had risen
from the grave-sorrow and dismay of
heart fell on the city of Rome. Yet
the glad Easter days were at hand.
The plague had come and was stalking
boldly through the streets. Instead of
glad Alleluias were heard only the
hoarse voices of the carriers, Bring
out your dead!" The big-hearted Pope
mourned with the people and sought
help where alone it could be found in
such dire distress. He ordered gen.
eral procession of priests and people;
In the midst should be borne the won
drous picture of the Blessed Virgin,
which all tradition declared had been
painted by st. Luke. Slowly the ranks
formed and moved on to the Church Of
st. Peter, Prince of the Apostles. Be-
hind the sacred painting followed the
Holy Father Of all the faithful in fer
vent prayer. AS he advanced the air
was felt to grow lighter, the pestilence
was already disappearing. They had
come to the bridge which crosses the
Tiber to the Vatican. Suddenly above
the picture was heard the heavenly
concert of the angels-a multitude of
the heavenly army praising God, as on
that first Christmas night. But now
they were singing in the broad light
of day.
Then the angelic voices were still
and the people with new hopes in their
hearts stood wistfully gazing into the
sky whence they had heard the heav-
emily strains. But behold the great
Pontiff's voice broke upon their ears: :
Mother, pray for us to God, Alleluia!"
Thus was the Easter anthem Of our
Lady completed. Lifting his eyes to
heaven he saw above the great fortress
Of the Emperor Adrian the destroying
angel, wiping his bloody sword and
replacing it in its sheath. Hencefor-
ward unto the present day the pagan
emperor's tomb bears the name of
Fort st. Angelo
MARRIAGE AS A LIFE PREsERvER.
Married men live longer than bach
elors.
One reason for this is that some
men when they get to be over 81, find
that they have consumption or some
other disease, and they do not wed.
The healthier men get married.
l Another reason for the longer life
of the married men is that they take
better care of themselves than do
bachelors. They keep more regular
hours, have their meals on time, and
do not give way SO easily to dissipa.
ton. Their wives, too, look out after
them, take care Of them, see to their
comfort, keep them from taking risks,
and supervise them for their own
good.
Vital statistics show that from 20
to 30 years of age, the death rate
among married men is AZ, while
among single men it is &C. From 80
to 40, the death rate among the mar.
ried is slightly under 6. while for
bachelors it is nearly 10. From 40
to so, the rates are 9.5 and 1875. From
so to go there is difference in favor
Of the married men of nearly II
deaths per year per thousand. Even
from 60 to 70 years Of age. the death
rate of married men is less than 81
per 1000, while of bachelors 1t is 81.
| Therefore. young man, get married.
OF the Cardinals created by Leo