It Has A Most Brilliant Appearance And Gives The
Happiest Chiaro-Oscuro Effect To The Statues, Columns And Pilasters Which
Abound In This Vast Temple.
There is no other light on this occasion than
that reflected from the Cross.
On Easter Sunday, when the Pope celebrates
high mass in the church of St Peter's, the Papal noble Guard, composed of
young men from the principal families in Rome, form a hedge on each side of
the nave of the church, from the entrance of the facade to the grand altar.
The street or interval formed between this double line may be about thirty
feet broad, and behind this guard or in any other part of the church, the
spectators may stand; but as these guards wear very large feathers in their
hats, they intercept very much the sight of those who stand behind them.
The uniform of the Papal Noble Guard is very splendid, being a scarlet
coat, covered with gold lace, white feathers, white breeches and long
military boots. The approach of the Pope is announced by the thunder of
cannon, and he is brought into the Church dressed in full pontificals, with
the triple Crown on his head, on a chair borne by men, palanquin fashion;
he is conducted thro' the lane formed by the Papal Guard, and as he passes
he makes the sign of the cross several times with his finger, repeating the
words: Urbi et Orbi. He is then set down, with his face fronting the
baldachin, when he immediately takes off the tiara, and begins the
ceremony.
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