THE POPE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2767, 6 August 1883, Page 3

THE POPE.

(Globe.) It is still necessary to remember that two monarchs reign in Rome. The Pope, though unseen, still reigns over subjects moro numerous than those of Cf»sar were. His is still thn old Rome, with its hoary atmosphere of antiquity, its tortuous streets, frowning walls, and dimgrandeurs. As to the now Rome, with miles of square blocks of box-like houses, broad windy streets, and raro unfinished spaces, no one could associate these with Papal memories ; nnd it' is of this sovereign I would speak, not of the King. The Pope is now 74, a tall, thin, ivory-com-plexioned man, with a benignant expression and smiling lips, bearing the stamp of indelible firmness — the expression of a man to bond, but never to break, Someone has said ho has tho mask of Voltaire, but this is nonsense. There is nono of tho saturnine caducity, tho depressed mouth and prominent chin, or spoctral smile. Leo XIII. is tall ;he wear3 his years well ; walks upright, and thus makes the most of his inches. His hair is snowwhite, and naturally forms into a crown about his finely-doveloped brow ; his long face is serene, his small eyes dancing with intelligence ; add to this a harmonious sonorous voice and a wide knowledge of languages, which he speaks with the correctness of a professor. As Archbishop of Perugia he was greatly loved by laity and clergy ; and that he loved Perugia ii attested by tho number of attendants he brought with him to Rome. There is no effort about him ; no straining for effect. Ho pronounces no eloqueat bravadoes, like Pius IX., and commits no blunders. Hiß are the arms of diplomacy, tho old Papal weapons which he wields like a veteran, while he patiently and surely awaits their action. Political and pious, cautious and firm, the Papacy under him again becomes one of the great political institutions of the world. It is impossible to forget that the temporal government of Pope Pius was disastrous, and that, mounting the Papal throne in possession of all its plenitude, he at his death had lost every vestigeof power. On the other hand, never was spiritual authority carried to such a pitch, and never did Catholics bo obediently gather round thoir high priest, aB now. If the Archbishop :>f Cashel had lived in Pius' days, he would never havo ventured on an independent course, nor would so miuiy of the clergy of Ireland have followed him. An early riser, the Pope's first hourß are Bpent in private prayer. At seven o'clock he celebrates mass. At oight he breakfasts upon a cup of chocolate, and meanwhile roads despatches. At nine he receives the Secrotary of State, Cardinal Jacobini, and then such ecclesiastical prefects and secretaries of religious bodies as are in waiting. At twelvo come princes and ambassador*, and at one o'clock follow prayers and a most frugal dinner (his table expenses are calculated at two francs and a half a day). After dinner a little exercise is procured by a visit to the chapels within tho Vatican, and thence to tho garden, to which he is carried through the long halls of immortal sculpturoin a most daintily constructed sedan chair lined with white satin. As the Pope is fond of gardening, it is here he receives such casual visitors as are admitted, discoursing to them often of his shrubs and flowers as a refuge from moro important and difficult subjects. It was in this garden that I, together with twenty-five other porsons, recently awaited him. Proceded by threo of the Guardia Nobile, chosen among the noble families of Rome, his Holiness came, his camtritrc segreto, Monaiguor Macchi by his side, a large bordered red hat upon his head, and an ample red mantle covering snowwhite robes. One by one we wero pree sonted, he giving to each of us ample " time to look at him and feel the welcome, l _ It is well said that it is only those over K whelmed by work who are ever al leisure. " You are Irish," he said t( J me ;" it is a great consolation to a per e BOD life* me to receive the faithful of tha l8 nation. Your Bishops come to me witl il tho generous offerings of an impoverishei ,1, people." Then seeing, or fancying hi i- saw, that I was incommoded by my kneel at ing position, he stretched out his hand t<

raise me. "I have thought," he continued, " that in the general distress these offerings must diminish, but it is not so." Then with a sad smile, "We live upon alma ; all that we possess is taken from us by " Here His Holiness checked himself, as if about to utter a too bitter word. Then resuming with energy, aa if thinking aloud, " Oh, these persecutions ! You send them to purify us, even as the leaven is pure." I see him still as he stood— the blue sky for his background, the palms and tho magnolias around him. Then he added, " I have read in the papers that, in spite of political disturbances, the Irish churches are filled with worshippers, especially during Holy Week. God be praised. May prayer bring peace to a troubled people." It was on my lips to say, "But, Holy Father, what time have you to read newspapers?" but I did not. The time of our audience was ended. Those who were with mo rose from their knees. Before I went he blessed me, and never was greater grandeur united to more simplicity. To continue the routine of the day. At four o'clock again commence the official audiences. Of course, these arrangements vary with the seasons, lam speaking of the autumn and early spring, and it is quite seven o'clock before His Holiness has any repose of body or of mind. Then comes the office of evening prayer, and a laborious solitude until halfpait eight. Then, a supper, as frugal, as the dinner. Yet,in spite of these well-filled hours, the illustrious Pontiff steals time from the night to study erudite books and to minutely examine all the new works on theology sent to him by the different Nunocis ; and this life he has led for five years without interruption. At Easter, and on occasions of great festivals Leo XIII. enters the Altar of the Sistino Chapel by a Bide door, preceded by seven of the Guardia Nbbile, in their resplendent armour. Four place themselves on one side of the altar, threeon theother. Then come threepriests habited in plain surplices, all prelates, and twoarchbishops, who are here to serve the altar for tho Supreme Pontiff. Attired by them in the sacerdotal robes before the altar, he recUes the prayers in a low voice, but firm and clear. Before him, in the chapel paiuUu '. y i'li-I-aU ..ngulo, LLncci the princes andjpatricians of Rome, who have remained faithful, and a crowd of illustrious women heavily veiled. Behind them are the Swiss Guard in parti-colored uniform, like court cards in action, the attendants of tho Vatican in purple, the domestic servants in a gorgeous livery of red damask, and, last of all, the artificers and artisans of the palace — men and women -in various groups. At tho moment of Communion the Pope turns towards the congregation. The first to whom he administers the sacrament is his nephew, Count Pecci — •bout to form an excellent marriage with a French lady— now twenty-five years old. Pecci wears the uniform of the Guardia Nobile, and kneels at the sacred table with two or three of his friends in the Pontifical Court. His mother and his sisters are behind. These ladies are the first to receive the consecrated wafer, the function lasting for more than half an hour, during which the Holy Father repeatß 250 time3 the words, " Corpus Domini Jesu Cliristi exutodiat animam iuaminvitamctternam." His hand trembles a little from age, but his voice is sweet, and full of paternal intonations. Without sign of fatigue, also, each word, each time pronounced with the same majestic slowness, is in his mouth alike a hymn and a prayer. Then a prelate pronounces a mass of thanksgiving, to which the Holy Father listens on his knees, his head in his hands, praying with fervor. At ten o'clock all his over, and the Holy Father within his private apartments is engaged in devotion.