BRITISH AND FOREIGN

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7293, 4 January 1902, Page 4

BRITISH AND FOREIGN

-♦ United Press Association — By Electrio Telegraphs-Copyright. (Received Jan. 4, 9.25 a.in.) A PONTIFICAL COMMISSION. «k "• LONDONi Jan. 3. The newspaper "Tablet" reports ihat the Pope ibas appointed a Pontifical Commission to consider all the questdans and difficulties submitted 'by Roman Catholic scholars in connection with their biblical studies. Cardinal Parocochi, Vice-Ohati-cellor of the Holy Romasn Church, has been appointed president of the Commi&Etggi. (Received Jon. 4, 10.37 a.m.) ANGLICAN CHURCH RITUAL. Dr Ingram, the Bishop of London, has convened a conference of the clergy to discuss the questions of confession and absolution with a view of arriving at a solution of the divergent views held. (Received Jan. 4, 9.35 a.an.) PURCHASE OF A" PICTURE. Mr Pierpcmt Morgan has paid half' a million dollars (£100,000) for Raphael's Madonna of Saint Anthony of Padua. (The Madonna of Sant Antonio "was one of Raphael's earliest Madonnas, and was painted for the Ripakfo' family, at Perugia, about 1500. It is one of the finest examples of Raphael's art. It was painted after a visit to Florence, during which he had assimulated some of the boldness of Michael Angelo and the principles of Leonardo. He imparted as much of the new spirit to this composition as he could, but was unable to alter its. archaio character. Some heads in the picture, re-cast in a new mould, reveal the influence of Dv Vinci. Th' 3 picture has *he brightness and the sweetness- of the Umbrian, with the breadth of execution of the Florentine. Five small predellas originally formed part of the picture.) . (Received Jan. 4, 9.25 a.m.) / DISEASES OF SHEEP. ' ■ The Right. Hon R. W. Hanbury, Presi,dent of the Board of Agriculture, has appointed a Departmental Committee to enquire into the diseases of sheep known as louping-ill and braxy.