Chapter 6

MYSTICAL CUP.

Touching, no doubt, on the death of Pope Leo, as also on some one of the present party somehow connected with nobility. See you the ocean?

Here is a kingly form, robed and crowned, yet standing with arms and hands filled, symbolizing someone with great plenty in foreign lands. At the feet, a severed circle, some disordered boxes, a pair of large, closed shears pointing toward another commanding form, though obstacles lie between them. Also a crouching form, in part human, with large eyes, and now, on his back a weighty something, facing the less pretentious forms, one of whom is bowed by some new disappointment, being near a fallen wall. Some one in mental suffering, as thorns crown one of the lesser heads, facing a distant city. Some hidden wrongs are to become manifest.

See the army of men in disorder! Soldiers are in line, too, with horsemen from all sides of the land and waters. Dread dismay, yet with keen-edged expectancy in evidence. Behind the kingly form there is a tower--strength--though there is the unlighted torch at the top. Some large bird in the back scene will venture into peril. Near the shaft at its base are caverns. On closer inspection you can see the vapors arising. You see the entire world appears interested--so many heads of men.

One of the party had expected some special news from distant lands, saying: "Verily, the atmosphere is filled with these things,"--Auto thought or otherwise. Secrets after all are not so hidden, though I believe this reading to pertain largely to the city of Rome, the Vatican palace and famed historical Tiber.

You see, we have all been reading the news. We are in this floating ether of thoughts, no matter what little wishes we have of our own. Our untutored minds cannot yet apply some of these lessons. Everything is in form atmospheric, to be photographed for tangibleness to our crude senses. How then can we be held in blame for the committal of even some desperate acts? Are we not at the perpetual mercy of evil men and powers, which blind fair reason?

Listen, friends, are there not better objects everywhere? Yet modest things are apt to be overlooked. Are we not dazzled by pomp and show? Did we not all cry out, "Oh, what a wonderful cup--a king, a king with a crown?" We must not allow our morals to thus easily hang like conventional cowards. This cup of the king's is full of strife. Numerous virtues are not observed.

See the little tables and the tender vines so choked by grasses, even modest flowers by the fallen walls! Let us note these, yet glory and pomp are man's highest aim in life. I say we should all become a freer people, but we are flattered by show and even despotism. I behold wonderful promises.

This strong trail is for a long time. See the cutting instruments again. The rasp and the little scissors shadowed beneath the larger symbols. Behold the bed-rock, with crevices to catch the feet, and here, a small road comes near a tunnel, looking ambitiously towards the large avenue where splendor, prestige and power are seen. See modern fashion so careless of the rights of others--these poor little people. Yes, I will describe some of these figures, to teach, if so we may, a bit of entertaining, benevolent sense.

Again, look at this upper row of soldiers, machine-made men. See the trumpets, I can almost hear their blast, and see the dust and life-blood of degrading, cruel wars, which impoverish and grind into filth the entire afflicted human race, though there are very excellent people of wealth, were there to wisely co-operate. There is some promise in this reading. If rich men could become active benefactors--see the little banners--wars would at once end, and the Christ would live with mankind.

MINISTER'S SPEECH.

I cannot believe that a loving, merciful God bids man to further wars, strife and blood-shed for mere aggrandizement. It is really a libel on all progress, grace and moral justice. The God and dear Saviors whom I love and honor are not monsters of cruel vengeance. There exist so many excellent signs of the good time to dawn on the human race, when the tidal wave once really sets into combined, perpetual motion. Let us all desire to thus aid the race along these lines, or in whatsoever ways we can.

I am forever indebted to a dear, high-souled lady, who loved young folks, for my first deep moral thought-lessons in cupology, and in character readings. Life-long impressions and aids have these brought to many others, in this high-art sensing of human needs, therefore let us supply an atmosphere in which good thoughts can germinate, believing that nature has a bank which is a sure one that can never break. A bank of full justice; life's worthy inheritance; your acts.

Now friends, this collection may end my readings briefly. In order to learn one must teach. No, I have not added some of those special past verifications. I try to study the lesser forms as well as the prominent ones to cultivate patient sensing. Observe your feelings towards your friends or pupils. Be honest, sincere, and sympathetic in heart to heart talks. Hold confidence reposed as a sacred gift. That is one of the secrets of friendship and success in every walk through life. Let us believe it so.

FIRE IN VATICAN.

BURNS PART OF LIBRARY WITH BARE AND ANCIENT BOOKS.

That portion of the Vatican containing the hall of the inscriptions, where the Pope gives his audiences, and which is adjacent to the famous and precious pinacoteca, or gallery of pictures, was burned Sunday. The smoke and flames were seen from a mile distant.

The first intimation of fire was had when smoke was seen issuing from the apartment of M. Mario, which is located above that of Father Earl, the librarian, who lives over the library. M. Mario is a celebrated French restorer of ancient manuscripts and illuminated books. He has been engaged in copying work, and his first reproductions have been selected for part of the Vatican's exhibit at the St. Louis exposition. It is supposed that M. Mario forgot to take proper precautions with his kitchen fire, which probably blazed up and ignited some nearby hangings.

The entire museum of inscriptions, the rooms of Father Earl, part of the library and the printing houses were entirely flooded with water.

It is impossible to reach even an approximate idea of the extent of damage. Many articles were saved, including some ancient and very valuable arms which were recently moved to the library from the Borgia apartment in order to make room for the new residence of the papal secretary of state.

Many things that escaped the flames were injured by water, especially the precious private library of Pope Leo.

The above clipping verifies the reading of the King's cup.