ALLIED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 27

ALLIED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

A resident of Rome, writing to a friend in Dunedin, says:— Since the declaration of this great war, ■ our bluejackets, the "Tommies," and many fine boys from our glorious colonies are frequently passing through Rome, or come here for a tew days' visit, and several kind ladies devote their time and money 'to' wel» come and help them. Months passed, a league was formed, headed by our Ambassador. Sir Rennell Rodd and his lady, ami a sadly needed hall near the railway station was granted as a rest-place for the boyfty as also for our American friends. The committee and club are run ott~ simply patriotlo lines: they admit no rs* ligious distinction, and no propoganda of- ' any kind is tolerated. Being the only. Catholic in the club, when Catholic seamen - or soldiers arrive, I see that they obtain an audience, if the Holy Father can be seen, ; > or help them in other ways if asked. The ladies whose service in the club an<l ? we few gentlemen are moro than amply * recompensed when the lads tell us thai they can never sufficiently thank us for what has been done for them. What they are able to see in Rome during the daysr- t or few hours' stay in the Eternal City, v makes a lasting impression on these simpl*. v and straightforward" minds. They have tola us many a time that whilst on guard -in the trenches or during the sleepless night* on the lookout for submarines, or protect- ■■■'• ing the transports, they will find plenty toi think on what they'have seen in Rome. .'■ The huge and matchless pile of St. Peter'e» its dome and wondrous proportions, its mosaics and Papal tombs delight them beyond words. 'We are surprised," they say, "at what you told us about the marble bas relief where Leo the Great prevails on Attila to spare Rome, how history repeats itself, and how Pius X likewise, did his utmost to stay the arm of the present Hun, and died of a broken heart." The boys ar«' • astonished that pilgrims have- kissed for '.'- ages tho foot of the bronze statue of_ St.' Peter so that the toes have almost disappeared. ''". The remarks passed by tho bluejackets on the marble pall covering part of Alexander Vll's monument and Canova'e lions '■• guarding the monument to Clement XII > are worth recording. The sailors' greatest ",- delight is to skip up the six hundred and ninety steps to tho bronze ball above the ;- dome, and get in 32 if they can; this they .', call a "visit to the mast-top." '■■■■.'"■ Shakespeare's "Julius Caasar" comes home to them when at the Forum they are shown the spot where this dictator,. •.-/; with the State treasure taken from . the . Temple of Saturn, began to rule, and hovr ;- his career ends where Marc Antony delivers ; his oration. When asked about the biblical '..; trophies on the Arch of Titus all try their best to head the class, whilst a peal ■• of ?t laughter comes from the "roup on looking ' % at the Lincoln's Inn and Temple Bar of ';■ Roman lawyers hard by. The tour ends at the Colosseum-—the ~' sport they all know of "Thumbs up"— ": "thumbs down." Here in the arena seated \: round one of us, the boys are.all .. and ears to take in the account of this,;;, mighty wonder of the world, of the cruel amusements performed'here, of its fredxj' pass (the "deadhead"), and many ' notedown the words of the Anglo-Saxon pilgrim regarding these walls. They ask about v' the Christians who hero sealed their faith, >*j with their live* and the traditions arid legends regardi-g this spot keep them spellbound till reminded that tea is waiting for them at tho club. Here they are welcomed, and write and amuse themselves till they have to leave Rome. */§§