Italy from the Alps to Mount Etna . n the bell of St. Peters sounds solemnly, and the bells of the other Christianchurches respond to the sound. Their voices go trembling through the dark corridors ofthe Coliseum, and one great gleaming star shines high above the cross; it is the samethat once stood above the humble house in Bethlehem, the star of Love Eternal. AveMaria I The murmur of prayer is mingled with the sound of the bells; a troop ofmonks, the soldiers of modern Rome, advance to exorcise the ancient spectres. Infourteen chapels, dedicated to the sufferings of the Saviour and of His mo
Italy from the Alps to Mount Etna . n the bell of St. Peters sounds solemnly, and the bells of the other Christianchurches respond to the sound. Their voices go trembling through the dark corridors ofthe Coliseum, and one great gleaming star shines high above the cross; it is the samethat once stood above the humble house in Bethlehem, the star of Love Eternal. AveMaria I The murmur of prayer is mingled with the sound of the bells; a troop ofmonks, the soldiers of modern Rome, advance to exorcise the ancient spectres. Infourteen chapels, dedicated to the sufferings of the Saviour and of His most faithfulfollowers, the incense smokes, and the people kneel, scarcely understanding how muchblood their Faith once cost in this place. They mutter their child-like prayers withchild-like thoughtlessness; and the words of the preacher, telling how transient areearthly things, and how abiding the divine ones, echoes every Friday from the hoarywalls. Thus, at least, a Pope ordered it should be a hundred years ago ; but now that too. 01 THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AMONG THE RUINS. 251 is over. Science has excavated the arena, inquiry has invaded all the vaults of theColiseum, and the sermon is silent. But what matters this change ? Greater changesstill attract our gaze,—wondrous changes ! The proud emperor who erected this mightyshow-house for Rome had destroyed a city which was flourishing many a century before
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Keywords: ., bookauthorcavagnasangiulianidig, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870
