wind, as it forms its curve and descent, is separated into a sort of sparkling spray of pearls and silver intermixed; about twelve other similar spouts shoot round this central liquid column, diverging from it on every side as they rise, and falling, with a similar appearance, at somewhat of a less elevation. They seem, in the distance, to be like rich plumes of some gigantic ostrich waving gracefully in the breeze, whilst the descending shower is received in the capacious vase, from whose interior it is conducted to various fountains in the city. Hundreds of statues lift their various forms, appearing larger than life, over the frieze and cornice of the colonnade; whilst at the foot of the majestic flight of steps by which you ascend to the portico of the church, two ancient statues of St. Peter and St. Paul have for centuries rested upon their pedestals. The facade of the church itself is surmounted by the colossal statues of the twelve Apostles. The illumination consisted of two parts. The lamps for the first part were disposed closely, in coloured paper, along the architectural lines of this mighty mass, along the ribs of the domes, around the ball, and on the cross. To me, as I looked from the bridge of St. Angelo, the scene appeared like a vision of enchantment. It seemed as if a mighty pile of some rich, black, soft material was reared in the likeness of a stupendous temple, and the decorations were broad lines of burning liquid gold: The ball and the cross were seen as if detached and resting in the air above its summit. It was indeed a becoming emblem of the triumph of a crucified Redeemer over this terestrial ball. After I had passed the bridge and as I approached the piazza, the front of the church and the expanse of the colonnade exhibited their lines of light. The specks which formed those lines glowed now more distinct and separate, and though their continuity was lost, their symmetry was perfect and magnificent. The immense piazza was thronged with carriages and persons on foot, whilst a division of the Papal dragoons, one of the finest and best disciplined bodies of cavalry in existence, moved in sections and single files through the multitude, calmly, but steadily and firmly, preserving order in a kind, polite, but determined manner. Scarcely a word is heard above a whisper; an accident is of so rare an occurrence as not to be calculated upon. The cardinal secretary of state has a gallery in front of the church, to which foreign ambassadors and a few other strangers of distinction are invited. I observed Captain Read and his lady in this gallery, and many of our officers were promenading below. About an hour elapsed from the commencement, when the motion of a brighter light was observed towards the summit of the cupola, a large star seemed to shoot upwards to the cross, and, as if by a sudden flash from heaven, the whole edifice appeared to blaze in the glare of day. A thousand lights, kindled by some inconceivably rapid communication, shed their beams upon every part of the building. Pillars and pilasters, with their vases, shafts, and capitals; mouldings, friezes, cornices, pediments, architraves, pannels, doors, windows, niches, images, decorations, enrichments, domes-all, all, with their faint lines of golden light, now softened to a milder lustre, revealed in brilliant relief to the enraptured eye. The fountains were magnificently grand, and richly pure, and softened into a refreshing white. The multitude was silent. The horses were still. The glowing cross, elevated above the Vatican hill, beamed to the wide plains and distant mountains, its augury of future glory because of past humiliation. The crowd began to move, the low buzz of conversation, and then the horses tramp, then followed the rattling of wheels. And whilst tens of thousands remained yet longer, other thousands moved in various directions to their homes, or to distant elevated points for the sake of a variety of views. I went to the magnificent Piazza del Popolo. It was literally a desert-but in its stillness, and the dereliction of its obelisk, its fountains, and its statues, by the very contrast to the scene that I had left, there arose a feeling of new sublimity;-it was more deep-it was more solemn, but it was less elevated; not so overpowering, nor so impressive as that to which it succeeded. My object was to ascend from this place to the Monte Pincio:-the commanding view from which would enable me to look over the city at the great object which attracted every eye. But the gates of the avenue at this side were closed, and I had to go to the Piazza di Spagna, and there to ascend by the immense and beautiful flight of steps to the Trinità dei Monti; standing here in front of the convent of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, the view of St. Peter's was indeed superb. I proceeded up towards the public gardens lately formed on the summit of this ancient residence of so many of the remarkable men of five-and-twenty ages. At various intervals I stopped and turned to view the altered appearance presented by the mass of light as seen from those different positions. As I contemplated it I reflected tion of that body which the Saviour organized like a well-ordered kingdom upon earth for the attainment of heaven-but the gates of hell shall not prevail against it! The dynasties of nations have perished!the palaces of the Cæsars are in ruins!their tombs have mouldered with the bodies they contained, but the successors of Peter continue. Under the orders of Nero, the two apostles were consigned to what was imagined to be destruction. The vaults of the tyrant's golden palace are covered with that it must soon be extinguished like the transient glories of the philosophers, the heroes, the statesmen, the orators who successively passed over the spot on which I stood. A humble fisherman from Galilee, and an obscure tent maker from Tarsus, were confined in the dungeons of this city. Seventeen hundred and sixty-eight years had passed away since one of them was crucified with his head downwards, on the Vatican Hill, and the other was beheaded near the Ostian Way. They had been zealously faithful in discharging the duties of their vegetation:-standing on the unseemly ruins apostleship. In the eyes of men their death was without honour, but it was precious in the sight of God.-Grateful and admiring millions from year to year proclaim their praises, whilst the church exhibits their virtues as proofs of the power of the Saviour's grace, as models for the imitation of her sons. Olet my soul die [the death of] the just, and let my last end be like to theirs! Translated from this earth-they live in heaven! Tried for a time and found faithful, they enjoy a glorious recompense! The God that we serve is merciful in bestowing his grace, and is exceedingly bountiful in crowning his own gifts, by giving to us through the merits of his son a recompense for those acts of virtue which he enables us to perform! I found myself again near the summit of the steps-I descended and retired to my home reflecting upon the wonders wrought by the Most High through the instrumentality of those two great saints, the celebration of whose festival had thus commenced. The ardent Peter, and the active Paul. The name changed to signify the office to which he should be raised. The Vicegerent of Heaven's King-bearing the mystic keys with powers of legislation and of administration, Whatever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven. Yes!-upon this rock, was the church of the Saviour built-its principal weight of administration rested upon him, who of himself was weak, but who, converted and sustained by Christ, was strong. "Before the cock shall crow twice this night, thou shall thrice deny me. Yes! Satan hath desired to have thee that he might sift thee as wheat-but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. And thou once converted, confirm thy brethren!" The strongest power that hell can muster in its gates, to make a furious assault upon that church, the weighty administration of which shall rest upon you, and upon those that shall succeed you, shall from time to time be marshalled and sent forth for the destruc of the remnant of this monster's monument, by the side of the Flaminian way, through the obscurity of the night, the Christian peasant looks towards that blaze of light, which, from the resting place where the relics of the head of the church and of the Doctor of the Gentiles are found, breaks forth and irradiates the eternal city, and its monumental environs. If Peter is elevated in station, Paul is not less glorious in merit. He, too, looked back with sorrow on that day when he held the clothes of those who slew Stephen. But how nobly did he redeem his error?-A vessel of election to bear the good odour of Christ into the palaces of kings!—a torrent of eloquence flowing into the barren fields of a vain philosophy to fertilize and adorn! A rich exhibition of virtue, winning by its beauty, attracting by its symmetry, and exciting to activity by emulation. A glowing meteor of benediction, dissipating the clouds of error, shedding the lustre of truth around, and warming the hearts of the beholders to charity on earth, that they might be fitted for glory in heaven. July 17-On the 30th of June, a chapel of the bishops assistant at the throne, was held at the Church of St. Paul, on the Ostian road. This is the great basilic which was consumed by fire about eleven years ago. In this conflagration the great altar and the place where the relics of the Apostles repose escaped. Hundreds of workmen continue to be employed in the restoration of this fine church, and considerable progress has been made. The transept is covered in, the columns of the aisles are erected, and most of them have their capitals mounted-the shafts are a beautiful iron gray granite, each shaft one piece of upwards of twenty feet in height, and the cap a fine white marble, Corinthian or composite, each in two blocks very few are Ionic. The aisles of this church are new as far as the transept. The floor is to be raised three feet above its old level, as on some former occasions the Tiber rose to such a height, as to overflow it. Probably twenty years more, at least, must pass away, before this church can be used, though probably five hundred men are continually employed in its works. The offices are at present performed in three chapels which are the old sacristies-and would make moderate sized American churches. shape from that of the Latins, being in fact a crown. Upon the whole the ceremony was very interesting, though by no means so solemn or imposing as that of the Latins. On the same day, (July 6,) Cardinal Odescalchi, Vice-Chancellor of the holy Roman Church, and Bishop of Sabina, went in state to the church of St. Andrew on the Quirinal hill, the novitiate of the Jesuits, and consecrated the Right Reverend Francis Strani, Bishop of the diocess of Massa di Carrara, the assistants were the Most Reverend John Soglia, Archbishop of Ephesus, and the Most Reverend Constantine Patozzi, Archbishop of Philippi and major-domo to His Holiness. tails inserted in the top of the shaft, and their bodies stretched horizontally in opposite directions, for about six inches each, after which they turn upwards bending their heads towards each other so as to approach within about a couple of inches. This is given to the person to be consecrated, when he is made a doctor, immediately after his profession of faith and oath of fealty preOn this day also two of the cardinal- vious to the Mass. No unction of either bishops consecrated each two of the newly the head or hand is used, nor is any mitre appointed bishops of whose nomination I placed on his head. He, on the proper ocsent you an account. But on the subse-casions after his consecration, takes the quent Sunday, I was present at a ceremony Greek mitre, which is very different in its which to me was quite new-the consecration of a Catholic bishop according to the Greek rite. It took place in the Greek Church, in the Via del Babuino, and was rather thinly attended, as it was not generally known. I do not believe that there were 500 persons in the church. The prelate consecrated was Gabriel Smicsitilaszbi Crisio-the consecrating prelate was the Most Reverend Basil Tomaggiani, a native of Pera, of Constantinople, born in the year 1762, a minor conventual friar and Archbishop of Durazzo--who for a number of years resides in this city, for the purpose of performing the episcopal functions of the Greek rite. He was assisted by two Latin doctors, Lewis Cardelli, a minor reformed friar, Arch- All the Italian bishops are consecrated in bishop of Acrida, in partibus, and Lewis this city by cardinals, though the pontifical Grati, a Servite (formerly Archbishop of directs that as far as possible the bishop Smyrna, which he resigned) friar, Bishop should be consecrated in the midst of his of Gallimicio, in partibus. The deacon was own people, in the church to which he is the same that sung the Gospel in Greek, at promoted. The custom here originated in St. Peter's, at the Papal High Mass on the the practice very properly established, that festival of SS. Peter and Paul, the subdea- previously to being approved and nominated con was from the Propaganda. Several by His Holiness in the consistory, the bishops other students from this college also attend-elect of these countries shall be examined ed to sing the other parts of the service according to their rite. An American bishop and an American priest in plain official dress, not vestments, and a few other clergymen of various orders were permitted to go within the partition which separate the Greek altars from the congregation. Small as the number present was, the persons composing it were collected from many nations, and though all of one faith, yet follow-cessary certificate from his brother examied several rites. in theology and canon law, and certified as perfect in their knowledge of both, by a very respectable congregation of cardinals, prelates, theologians, and jurists. I recollect that one of the most learned of this body of examiners, the present Bishop of Orvietto, having been appointed by the Pope, from his personal knowledge of his learning and merit, could not obtain the ne ners, without undergoing a very rigorous The ceremony as regards vesture, instru- and searching trial. When thus in the holy ments, and form, was far more simple than city, and examined, approved, and named, the Latin rite. The consecrating prelate they generally preferred being consecrated only laid one hand on the head of the per- by a cardinal-bishop, and the custom is now son consecrated, the assisting prelate how-grown into a law. I must acknowledge that ever held the book of the Gospels on his I prefer the discipline laid down in the ponshoulders during the imposition. The crosier is altogether of a different form from that used by the Latins. It is shorter, more slender, and in place of a crook, has a double curve, as if two serpents had their tifical. As your readers might wish to see a list of this congregation, and thus have an idea of the constitution of those committees of business-I shall give you a list of the pre- sent congregation for the examination of councillors of the holy father, write and bishops elect. Examiners in Theology. CARDINALS. 1. Pacca. 2. Zurla. 3. Micara. 4. Lambruschini. 5. Marco-y-Catalan. FATHERS. 6. Master Dominic Buttaoni, a Dominican friar, Master of the Sacred Palace. 7. Master Thomas Antonino Degola, of the same order, Secretary of the Index. 8. John da Capistrano, exGeneral minister of the reformed minor Observantine friars. 9. Lewis Togni, prefect-general of the fathers infirmarians for the charitable care of the sick. 10. Laurence da Camerata, of the order of friars capuchins, apostolic preacher for the papal household. 11. The Abbate Paul del Signore, a canon regular of St. Saviour's of Lateran. 12. John Roothan, general of the society of Jesus. 13. The Abbate Don Ambrose Bianchi, vicar-general of the Benedictine congregation of Camaldoli. 14. Cherubino da Arienzo, of the order of friars minors, observantines. 15. Master Laurence Tardi, vicar-general of the order of Hermits of St. Augustine. 16. Don Emilio Jacopini, of the order of regular minor clerks. CARDINALS. Examiners in Canon Law. 2. De Gregorio. 3. Falzacappa. 4. Odescalchi. 5. Fran soni. 6. Sala. MOST REVEREND. 7. Joseph della Porta Ronciglione, Patriarch of Constantinople. 8. Francis Canali, lately created cardinal, Archbishop of Larissa. 9. John Soglia, Archbishop of Ephesus. THE PRELATES. Rev. Jerome Bontadosi, auditor (or assessor) of His Holiness. Silvester Bargagnati, one of the clerks of the chamber, (court of appeals.) Rev. Joseph Mezzofanti, first keeper of the Vatican library, of whom Lord Byron had so high an opinion; probably one of the first linguists in existence: he speaks with facility thirty-four living languages, and several of the dead tongues. SECRETARY. The Most Rev. Joseph Vespig niani, Archbishop of Tyana. When I contemplated one of those congregations, and after taking each individual separately and considering his erudition and respectability upon a variety of other grounds, and then viewed the aggregate of their merits-how did I pity the little beings who, without knowing one particle of the mode in which business is done here, or concerning the character or qualifications of the speak of mankind, ignorance, the dark ages, the mariner's compass, the art of printing, the feudal times-Martin Luther, Henry VIII., Anne Boleyn, &c. By the by, as we have touched this chord I amused some of our Americans, whilst they were in this city about three weeks since, by taking them to Monsignor Mezzofanti, with whom I have the happiness of an intimate acquaintance, and procuring from him one of the pieces in his archives, an autograph love letter of the gallant monarch to Miss Anne. It is written in French, and not easily legible at the first inspection; in the flourish to his signature is a heart in the midst of which upon examination, you find the initials of the lady's name A. This letter is pasted on the leaf of a book which contains a copy of the piece in a more modern and legible hand, by the aid of which the original is easily deciphered. Some ladies who joined the American party examined it with considerable minuteness; his majesty did not seem to be in the beheading humour when it was written? The learned keeper produced another piece of whose authenticity there could be no question. The copy of Henry's work in defence of the Catholic doctrine, of the seven sacraments, against Martin Luther, which work procured for his majesty so many polite compliments from the sainted reformers and for him and his successors from the holy see, the title of "Defender of the Faith"-which title those successors have with such admirably good taste preserved, whilst they robbed, whipped, banished, hanged, quartered, embowelled, and beheaded their beloved subThe dedication of this work to his holiness, jects for believing as his majesty then wrote!! was subscribed by his majesty with his own royal hand, and the work has been preof the holy city. Monsignor Mezzofanti requested of the ladies to compare the sig natures, which were palpably the work of the same hand. He was requested by them very naturally to give the history of the way in which the lady's letter came into the Vatican, which he did to our satisfaction-but as I am so stupid, the chain of succession has got entangled in my memory, and I shall not just now venture to guess. Probably, if nothing more important banishes the determination, I shall ask my friend for the history, when next we meet, and shall try to recollect it for you then. served ever since with care in the archives DEATH. I shall now give you an outline of the career of one of the cardinal-deacons, who died on the 8th this month, at the advanced age of nearly 83 years. Your LETTERS FROM ROME. readers are aware that the whole body of the cardinals are not devoted solely to ecclesiastical affairs-as they are also the senate for the temporal government of the states of the church; and generally the principal duties of the cardinal-deacons regard this business. ANTONINO MARIA FROSINI, born in Modena, September 8th, 1751, of Alexander, Marquis Frosini, principal major-domo of the Ducal Court, and aulic counsellor of the German Empire, and Victoria, Countess of Carandini, was educated in the Royal College of St. Charles, where he graduated in 1771, his father died two years afterwards. Young Frosini soon received the appointment of chamberlain, and at a much earlier age than usual, by reason of his conduct and talents, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier, and sent by the Grand Duke Francis III., as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the imperial court of Vienna; where he discharged the duties of his office, during a portion of the reigns of Maria Theresa and of Joseph II., with full satisfaction to all parties. Retiring from the Court of Modena, he, in 1783, attached himself to that of Rome, and obtained from Pius VI. a judicial place in the prelature of justice, and as referendary of both signatures, (grace and justice,) and was successively Governor of Montalto, Spoleto, Ancona, and Vecchia, in all of which he gave satisfaction. In 1798, he was obliged to retire to Florence, by the French. He attended as prelate when the conclave sat in Venice, for the election of Pius VII., in 1800. Returning to Rome, he was in the September of that year promoted to a seat on the supreme tribunal of Justice. In 1808, again the French invasions obliged him to fly to Florence, where he had considerable estates; but in 1810, he was obliged to go thence to Paris. In 1814, he went to England, and towards the close of the year returned to Rome, where he now had the second place upon his bench. In 1816, he became a prelate of the Camera or Exchequer, and president of a special commission for encouraging the cultivation of rice in the districts of Ferrara and Bologna, and the regulation of the water-works of St. George, in the Vallies of Comacchio, which duties he fulfilled with great credit. On October 1, 1817, Pius VII. appointed him his major-domo, and in the Secret Consistory of March 10, 1823, he was made a cardinal-deacon, with the title of St. Mary, in Cosmedin, and he gave this church many rich presents. His eminence was made a member of the congregations of apostolic visitation, of the council, of in 131 dulgences and holy relics, of waters and taxes. Leo XII. placed him also on the congregation of economy, and upon the vacancy, made him prefect of the congregation of indulgences and holy relics: the present Pope placed him on the congregation of sacred rites. He was in the conclaves that elected Leo XII., Pius VIII.. and Gregory XVI. For some time he had been delicate and declining in health. His piety was very fervid and well regulated, his charities very extensive and unostentatious, his discharge of magisterial duties, enligh tened, firm, and impartial. On the 18th of June, he had an access of fever-and began more particularly his preparations for another world,-receiving the last sacraments with edifying devotion, and placing his confidence in the merits of his Saviour, he calmly died, on the evening of the eighth inst., aged 82 years, 10 months. His obsequies were performed with the usual solemnities. July 25.-This is the period when the examinations are made in all the schools and colleges of this city. I do not know exactly the number of students, but I am perhaps considerably under the mark in saying they are something over two thousand. On Thursday, the 17th, I attended at the defence of his theses, by an American student at the Urban college, generally known as that of the Propaganda. The number of young men in this institution is over one hundred. The process is generally as follows: during the private examinations at the seve ral periods of the year, by the professors of the college itself, and alsc at that towards the end of the academical season, by others as well as by the professors of the house, one or more of the best pupils are selected to defend the theses. A thesis, as your readers are aware, is a position or stated proposition; several of these are selected from the scientific course, which the student publishes and declares that he will be ready, at a fixed time and place, to defend their truth against all opponents. The lists are regularly prepared for this scholastic knight, who appears duly sustained to exhibit his powers: nor is this tournament a mere idle display, in the rivalry of the schools; there are often formidable encounters and numerous spectators, and not unfrequently serious disasters. There is a formidable Jesuit here, who is a professor of dogmatic theology at the Roman college, who has lately swept, in a comparatively short encounter, half a dozen of those youth |