IN THE VATICAN GAOL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19124, 19 September 1936, Page 15

IN THE VATICAN GAOL

PRISONER WHO STOLE BOOK VATICAN CITY, Aug. 1. A flutter of excitement stirred the venerable precincts of the Papal City tbtf morning. For the thud time inco it came into existence the little law court was opened for a trial. A certain Ezio Mongi, an Italian citizen, was found guilty of purloining a book from the Vatican Library, and sentenced to one month's solitary confinement in the Vatican gaol this small building has three well-lighted cells, and Morigi is the only occupant, Two Papal gendarmes, dressed in Napoleonic uniform with cocked hats, are his gaolers. Three eminent Vatican citizens sat on the Bench. A fourth, called "The Promoter of Justice," prosecuted. The oourt was crowded. One witness expressed indignation that the prisoner got into the Vatican under false pretences. He never Was a student, and had not even the excuse of a student's passion for some rare- and fascinating volumes, rio Stole a book of little value when some of the intellectual joys of the world lay within his reach.