The Vatican of this week gives a plan engraving of
the Council Hall, marking the position of the Papal throne, the seats of the Cardinals, the Patriarchs, Bishops, &c., with a minute specifi- cation of the exact seats allotted to the English-speaking Bishops. It appears from our contemporary's account of the Hall that the architect, Count Virginie Vespignani, has at last hit upon a plan for rendering the building serviceable for debate on days of con- gregation,—which at first it was not. On these days the Pope is not present, so the Papal throne has been removed and the altar brought from the other end of the hall and put in its place. A screen is then put up which cuts off the end of the hall where the altar usually stands ; and the Bishops whose seats when in Council would be behind the screen arc ranged in Congregation on the steps beneath the altar (which then occupies the place of the Papal throne). " This expedient," says our contemporary, " has completely succeeded."
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