A MAKESHIFT CHURCH AND BELFRY. [Page 447.]
filled with this strange wreckage of the churches, to an inner apartment, double locked, a high vaulted chamber where the most precious treasures were kept, the gold and the silver mantas of the Madonna della Lettera. The gold manta is an exquisite piece of goldsmith’s work, beautifully chased and set with gorgeous jewels, most of them royal gifts. We admired an emerald ornament offered by Queen Isabel of Spain (the modern Isabel), who greatly affected emeralds, and a diamond brooch given by Queen Margherita.
“Nothing is missing,” said the Jesuit; “if the soldiers overlooked anything, the people found it and brought it to us—all the jewels of the Madonna della Lettera, even the precious letter itself, are here.”
“The epistle,” Signor Donati explained, “written by the Virgin to the people of Messina, and brought here by Saint Paul, who, as you know, came to Sicily in the year 42.”
The Archbishop received us in his study, a big bare room filled with supplicants, all talking at once. In order that we might hear each other speak, he led the way to a smaller apartment next door. The Archbishop is a tall handsome man, with a direct, forcible manner. We heard from Sicilian friends that he had spent the whole of his large private fortune for the benefit of his people and his church. The Archbishop wasted no time; after thanking us for what had already been done, he spoke of what was nearest his heart.
“Build us a church! That is our first need; then build us a barrack, large enough to house eighteen priests. Out of my one hundred and five, eighty were killed; but first of all the church, that is our greatest need!”
“You shall have your church, be not afraid,” said Signor Donati. “Behold, the Signor architetto has brought his plans to show you!”
J. unrolled the plans with his neat drawings, and spread them out on the writing table, using the ancient sand boxes of the silver inkstand to hold down the corners:
“Notice that the church is to be in the shape of the Red Cross.”