Evening star., 1923-08-26

=
In view OF the several matrimonial
alliances contracted with American
women by the princess Of the ilustri-
Gus house OF Colonna, the death OF
Don Fabrizio. head Of the entire
family. and the succession of his
eldest son, Don Marc Marco Antonio,
TO his many honors and dignities. in
cluding no less than Ave dukedoms,
calls for some passing mention. Don
Fabrizio. himself, succeeded his elder
brother as master Of the wonderful
tho Apostles one OF the landmarks
OF the Eternal city. eleven years
ago. But. as he was a senator of
the Kingdom OF Italy, a general Of
Italian cavalry and completely iden-
tined with the court OF the Quirinal
clined to sacrifice them for the high
est lay dignity at the Vatican. which
came TO him by Inheritance and, with
the permission Of the Pontiff, ne sur
rendered his rights thereto TO his
Prince Of Colonna, who. in conse-
quence thereof. became hereditary
prince assistant OF the pontifical
throne, or. to use the old Latin name
Of the high ONCE. Stator proximus
conferred upon his ancestor by Six
tus v, some two hundred years or
more ago.
Its origin was q curious one. 1t
was created by that masterful pontiff
with the object OF putting an end to
the wars which had until that time
been carried on for Ave centuries or
more between the two great patri-
clan houses of Colonna and Of Orsini;
wars which caused blood to flow in
the streets OF Rome almost every
and an Orsini had so far forgotten
the respect due to the Holy Father
as to draw their swords upon each
other when in his presence. he, with
the object OF parting them. peremp-
position on the right Of the papal
throne and the other on the left, and
subsequently, on the express under
standing that peace between the two
families should thenceforth be main
tanned, he converted into hereditary
dtgnities these positions to the right
and left OF the throne. the Colon
mas taking 1t In turns with the Orsinis
to have the place on the right. They
also took IL in turns, prior to 1870,
when the Popes were still accustomed ID
to drive about Rome, to precede on
horseback the pontifcal equipage.
II tho Pope himself went on horse
back, IL was the prince assistant who
held the stirrup for his holiness to
mount, and who led the horse.
The Colonna family, which has fur
nished at least half a. dozen Popes to
the Catholic Church, including Marcel.
who reigned in AID. 3o4. and Martin
", who occupied the chair Of St
Peter in 1417, owes, according to ira
ditton, it's name to the possession Of
what Is alleged to be q portion Of the
column to which Christ was tied when
6courGed on the eve OF His crucifxion,
and which is still preserved as a sa-
cred heirloom, having been brought
from Jerusalem In the first century
Of the Christian era. II Is the prin-
opal treasure. OF course. OF the grand
old Colonna Palace in Rome. which
was built away back In the four
teenth century on the Square OF the
Apostles. and which has had among
its occupants Popes Martin v and
Julius II, as we'll as that celebrated
Cardinal Borromeo, subsequently, can
onixed as St. Charles.
The Don Fabrislo Colonna who has
just been gathered to his fathers, full
Of years and honors, must not be con.
founded with his nephew and name.
sake. who last year led to the altar
at Genoa Miss Jeanne Marie Perkins
| daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. George
Perkins OF Washington, d. c.. who
have also a home in the neighborhoot
Of Genoa. H., -.
Another American marriage Of the
/ EColonnas, was that between Don Fer.
| dinand Colonna, eighth Prince OF
| Stigliano, and the late Evelyn Bryan,
| Of Downieville, Calf. step-sister Of
Il ~ 70 ,f NJ
| daughter Of his mother, the widowed
Mrs. John w. Mackay Of Bonanza