INTERVIEWING A CARDINAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3634, 27 September 1873, Page 6 (Supplement)

INTERVIEWING A CARDINAL.

{Pall Mall Gazette.)

A reporter of the New York Herald has penetrated the Vatican, and had an interview with Cardinal Antonelli, who, however, does hot seem to have told him anything that he might not have discovered by simply reading the daily papers. The Cardinal was, however, the reporter thinks, "surprised and pleased" to see in some numbers of the New York Herald which were taken for his inspection evidence of the deep interest that America feels in the Holy Father's health, and his eminence " smiled witn a grim smile" 6n- being informed that one New York journal had printed a cable despatch via Canada to the effect that the Pope had been called to his long account on the 19th April. After some conversation respecting the Religious Corporations Bill, a measure of which the CarJinal spoke in terms of disapproval, and the prospects of the Catholic Church in Germany, which he evidently does not think are quite comfortable, the reporter "ventured to ask" the following question, " Will not the Holy Father," he inquired, " ever pass through the streets of Rome again 1" " Jamais, jamais !" exclaimed Cardinal Antonelli, "they may drive us out of the Vatican by force, but otherwise we shall remain here, die here, and be buried here." The Cardinal uttered these words with a vehemence of tone and action which showed plainly how deeply fixed was the determination of the Pope and his advisers to remain in the Vatican. In other respects during the interview the Cardinal's manner was singularly calm and dignified ; notwithstanding the questions put to him, he does not appear to have moved a muscle of his face, nor, which is more remarkable, and infinitely to his credit, even unconsciously, to have lifted his foot. The_ reporter left the Vatican, as he entered it, in perfect safety.