Fire-works at Rome.
Allmy little readers have heard of the great city of Rome, in Italy. It was begun about 2500 years ago, and a great many wonderful events have taken place there.
Rome is not so large and splendid as it once was, but it is still a great city. The pope, who is the head of the Catholic church, lives there, and the ceremonies of that church are very grand and imposing in Rome. I could tell you a great deal about these ceremonies, but I have not time now.
I will, however, say a word of what is called theCarnival. This is a time in which the Catholics have feasts, dances and frolics. Some of them dress up in strange attire, and go about, making a great deal of sport. The carnival in Rome is really a great time. Thousands of people, from all the countries round about, flock to the city, where they amuse themselves in various ways.
One of the most wonderful things that takes place, is the fire-works. Perhaps you have seen fire-works on Boston common, but those of Rome are far more splendid.St.Peter’s Church is suddenly illuminated, and the great castle ofSt.Angelo sends up a vast flood of rockets,—red, blue, purple and yellow. The air seems filled with golden lights; the skies appear to be showering down stars of every hue; and while all this is going on, the glad voices of thousands of people are applauding the scene.
FireworksFire-works at Rome.
Fire-works at Rome.