Papal Band, concealed from view by a screen of trelliswork-Between them are raised seats for the Cardinals, before which are footstools for their Clerical Attendants, whose business it is to adjust the robes of their Eminencies, according to the established ceremonial.

The Sanctum Sanctorum is separated from the lower end of the Chapel, in which Attendants and Spectators are allowed to stand promiscuously, by a low railing, on which are placed six or eight massy Candlesticks, with enormous wax: candles, which are always kept burning in time of service, whether it be day or night.

Near

Near the Railing is a raised Pew, latticed round, in which Ladies are permitted to attend, provided they appear in black, and veiled.

Into this Chapel-illuminated with consecrated tapers-the Cardinals in robes of scarlet having been previously seated around the Papal throne—at eleven o'clock on Christmas Eve, in the year 1801, entered Pius VII. arrayed in a scarlet Robe, embroidered with gold, having on his head an episcopal mitre, decked with precious stones-the united voices of a dozen Musicians, ascending at the same moment, in solemn cadence.

When

When the Pope had seated himself on the throne, he graciously received the homage of the Cardinals, approaching his footstool, one by one, in a continued row of adulatory attendance, under a thundering intonation from the Gallery, which continued till their Eminencies had resumed their seats-received the Papal blessing, which was three times thrown over the beaming Ring—and gra ciously snuffed up the smoking incense that had been cast by his Holiness himself, upon the live coal of the censer, presented to him by kneeling Prelates, after having been consecrated at the Altar to scent with its spicy odours-perhaps to purify with its penetrating fumes, the possible, or probable, uncleanness of Princely ministration.

After this ceremony had been performed the music ceased-Silence prevailed for half an hour-their Eminencies muttering private ejaculations with different degrees of zeal.-At midnight, all was still. *

**

During the solemn pause-anxious with expectation, Cardinal Litta, a tall and graceful Figure, advanced with a measured step to the middle of the floor, which is on this occasion covered with green cloth-his scarlet robes flowing behind him in an ample train, and pronounced aloud (from a brazen Eagle, on whose outspread wings had been unfolded the sacred Volume) those passages of unparalleled sublimity, in which St. Luke has recorded the annunciation of the birth of Christ.

Now

Now

you

hear the magnificent prelude

of John the Baptist :

Vox clamantis in deserto: Parate viam Domini !*

Anon you listen to the grand accompaniment of the Heavenly Host, singing and praising God in the air:

Gloria in excelsis, Deo! et in terra pax, homines benevolentia !+

And you retire from the imposing scene with your ears still tingling with the joyful acclamation of Simeon, the Man just and devout, that had long waited for the consolation of Israel; who, when the Child Jesus was presented in

the

• The voice of one crying in the Wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Glory to God in the bigbest-peace on earth, and good will to Men.