fferings. The professors and students of Propaganda had assembled at the
place in honor of the Pope's visit. They descended with him to the Crypt,
where the Holy Father, as soon as he entered, knelt in prayer beside the
remains of his sainted predecessor, who, more than seventeen centuries
ago, had sealed his faith with his blood. After examining the long
corridors of the catacomb, the Holy Father took his seat on the ancient
throne of the chapel, which, no doubt, in the dark days of heathen
persecution, several of his predecessors had filled. So placed, he
delivered to the pupils of Propaganda a feeling allocution on the high
career which lay before them as preachers of the true Faith. He then
addressed a few words to the eminent persons who surrounded him, and
proceeded back to the Church of St. Agnes. Having adored the Blessed
Sacrament, and venerated the relics of the Virgin Martyr, he entered the
neighboring convent of canons regular of St. John Lateran, where a
suitable repast awaited the august visitor. This was followed by a
conversazione in the parlor, in which the distinguished parties who had
accompanied the Pope took part. Almost every Catholic country was
represented there; and, among the rest, were Archbishop Cullen of Dublin
(long since a Cardinal), and Bishop de Goesbriand of Burlington. The Pope
was on the point of departing, when the Superiors of Propaganda prayed him
to grant an audience to the students. Pius IX. graciously complied, and
resumed his seat in the chair of state which was appropriately canopied. A
hundred young ecclesiastics now rapidly entered the room. All of a sudden
the floor gave way with a loud crash, and the whole assembly disappeared
in a confused mass of furniture, stones, plaster, and a blinding cloud of
dust. The joists had given way, and the whole flooring fell to a depth of
nearly twenty feet. The voice of the Pope was first heard, intimating that
he was safe and uninjured. As a few inmates of the convent had remained
outside, assistance speedily came, and the Holy Father was promptly
extricated from the ruins. Solicitous only for the safety of the company,
he urgently ordered that they should all be withdrawn as rapidly as
possible from their perilous position; and he waited in the garden till
every one of them was rescued. Not so much as one was dangerously injured.

"It is a miracle," said the Pope, who was greatly rejoiced. "Let us go and
thank God." Followed by the whole