Pueblo chieftain., 1921-10-16

Christ, once stood where now loom
grand and desolate the ruins of the
mighty fortrcss-paiace of the popes.
The land Is rich In legends One story
tells us how busy Martha, the sister of
tho risen Lazarus, during a persecution
OF Christians was condemned to death
and cast adrift on tho Mediterranean
in tiny boat. Wind and wave, NOR
merciful than man, cast her safely
upon the coas. OF France She came
thru all the land of Provence, giving
the message of the Christ and took up
her abode at Avignon, where she made
many converts. 1T IL said a spring OF
clear water gushed forth to quench her
thirst near tho cave whcrc she dwelt
upon the high cliff. Another legend Is
In regard to Saint Benedict or Rene-
yet. nc was then called. 1t WAS u
sorrow to tho people of Avignon that
every bridge WAS washed away by the
trem cndous current of the Rhouo when
swollen by the melting Alpine SHOWS.
In tho 18th century shepherd-boy OF
fourteen. inspired by visions as was
Joan of Arc. burst into the church ono
Sunday and proclaimed that he was
sent by God TO build , bridge. The
people were indignant at tho Interrupt
ton to the service and when he insist
cd laughed at him. They told him sar-
castically that he might begin his
near by, that II he could HIT that they
would believe him. 1t Is said that he
Mt once lifted II upon HIS shoulder. all
It's vast weight disappearing. and
carrying II to tho stream laid It In
place. The people then aided him in
the construction of tho bridge, which
was three thousand feet long with i'm
mense stone arches. and with a "Chate-
let" or fortified gate at each end. The
boy was afterwards canonixed and
chapel erected In his honor at the mid
die Of tho bridge. When he died he
WAS buried in this chapel During the
early part of the nth century many Inn
portnnt meetings to determine qucs-
.ions OF church and state were held
in this same little building. Saint
Benedict's bridge fetted the swirling
torrent of tho Rhone for many hun
dred years and We can still walk ont
beyond mid-stream upon It.
A BRILLIANT PERIOD
The seventy years of the popes' So
yourn at Avignon formed one OF ,hs
most brilliant periods OF tho middle
agse. The greatest scholars and art
lists came to their court. which was
resplendent with all that immense
wealth and culture could bcstow.
Sovereigns came and great mobiles
from all countries. The wonderful
southern climate made possible mag
nificent outdoor fetes and history says
that the natural highway of the river.
Mt most seasons Of the wear calm and
tranquil. was gorgeous with decorated
boats coming and going from tho
court Daudet SAYS: Who has not
seen Avignon In the time of the popes
has seen nothing, Never In all the
world was such gaiety. such gladncss,
such wealth of flags and silkcn ban
ners, such music. such dancing. such
radiance of joyous life" There was
constant interchange of visits between
the Court of Naples. WHOSE sovcreiGns
wore also lords Of Provence and tho
Pspsl Court The famous College of
Jesuits at Avignon attracted many
students and the youth of Avignon
wont to the Court of Naples to be
trained in the etiquette OF court life.
Rome became Jealous OF Avignon
and sent the eloquent Rienzi. states
man and diplomat, to persuade the
popes to come back to Rome. but he
himself was induced to remain at
Avigpon and was given high position
and many honors by the pope, The
immortal friendship between Pctrarch
and his beloved Laura sprang into OK
the sunny fields about Avignon. II
was here she was born and lived her
life. holding Petrarch through all his
years n willing slave.
John Stuart Mills was devoted to
Avignon and rests there now, buried
in tho aamc grave with the adored
wife whose loss he declared 'trrepar-
able" and could not long survive.
DECLARE ED FRENCH PROPERTY
BY REVOLUTION
Merry old King Rene. the la.t King
of Provence, in dying bepueathed IT
not to the French king. Louis S1. as
was expected. hut to the popes. Avig
non they bought from impoverished
Jeanne Queen of Naples, to whom 1t
had descended from her ancestors
VINO had been Counts OF Provence. hut
had retained only AviEnon, Jeanne
was summoned to the Papal Court 10
answer to tho charge of connivauce in
Continued on Next Fage)