People Talked About

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue III, 18 July 1903, Page 2

People Talked About

Choosln a New Pope. The celebrated Cardinal d’Este, writing to Villeroy in 1565, shrewdly remarked: “No sooner is a Pope elected than all eyes are busy searching for his probable successor,” and the truth of this dictum, which applies to Popes both young and old, strong and ailing, is so generally recognised that, in discussing chances of leading candidates to the Tiara at the present time one eannot feel guilty of that indelicacy which too often characterises the conjectures of people in these cases. The election of a new Pope is a ceremony full of interest, and one that attracts the eyes of almost the whole world. When it is known that the Pope is dead his forehead is lightly

tapped with a small silver hammer, the words, '“The Pope is dead,” are pronounced, and the sad event is announced to the world. The Cardinals forming the Sacred College are summoned to Rome, and when the Conclave is held they retire to a wing of the Vatican. Each Cardinal is accompanied by a body servant. A secretary, two doctors and four cooks are also in attendance, and the whole party is walled up in the wing of the palace by masons. The Car-

dinals are not allowed communication with anyone. Sometimes the election lasts two days, and sometimes longer. When it is over the ballot papers are burned, and the smoke issuing from the chimney announces to the watching crowds outside that a new occupant has been chosen for St. Peter’s chair. Two things may be considered as positive, namely, that the Conclave will be held at Rome, and that the next Pope will be an Italian. After Plus IX.’s death a group of intransigent!

Cardinals seriously considered the advisability of holding the Conclave out of Italy as a protest against the usurpers. Spain, France, and Malta were proposed in turn, and the Cardinals went so far as to ask the then Minister for Home Affairs, Signor Crispi, whether the Italian Government would protect the Sacred College in its peregrination. With characteristic shrewdness Crispi replied that the Government would afford the members of that eminent body every facility to reach the Italian frontiers, but that the Papal Curia would not be allowed to return to Rome after the election, and the Vatican would be officially occupied by the Italian authorities. The Cardinals changed their minds, and the project of transferring the seat of the Conclave was definitely abandoned. For the last three centuries and a half — namely, since the reign of the Flemish Pope, Hadrian VI. —foreign Cardinals have played only the part of

electors in Papal Conclaves, and the Pontiffs have always taken care to maintain a strong Italian majority in the Sacred College, so that the Chair of Peter, although nominally “open to all comers.’’ has becomf practically an Italian birthright. Therefore all the Cardinals whose names are mentioned in connection with the future succession to the Holy See nre Italians. The Cardinal probably who haa the best chance of success to the vacant chair is the Secretary of State. Monsignor Mnriano Ram poll a del Timin ro. born in 1843 in Sicily, and created Cardinal in 1887. Many different opinions have been formed of Cardinal Rampollu. Some contend that aa Pope

he would show uncompromising severity. Others, on the contrary, say that Leo XIII.’s Secretary of State is a man of splendid ability, of highly cultured mind, a lover of the sciences, to which he devotes all his evenings, and that consequently the highest possible liberalism may reasonably be expected of him. In any ease, he would not be a fascinating Pope. A great French writer has said of him that “he has the cut of a brigand of Calabria.’’ That, perhaps, is somewhat exaggerated, but his face has certainly something very characteristic in its expression—the hard, energetic features which are often seen among the members of the Sicilian nobility. Another Cardinal who is talked about as the future Pope is Cardinal Gotti, born at Genoa in 1834. and created Cardinal in 1895. He belongs to the Carmelite Order, and is very intimate with Leo XIII., who, in his private conversations with several Cardinals has enjoined them to nominate Cardinal Gotti as his successor. It is this high recommendation which places Cardinal Gotti to-day among the candidates for the Papal ehair. It is no secret that Leo XIII., alarmed at the dangers which threaten monasticism, especially in America, where a leading Archbishop has openly taken a stand against religious orders, has

more than once expressed the hope that his successor will be a monk. But in spite of the sanctity of his life, his erudition, and his many virtues, it is to be feared that Cardinal Gotti would become a second Celestine V., the saintly monk whom Dante stigmatizes in his Inferno as—- . . . . colul Che per viltade fece il gran rifiuto. Before his resignation of the Vicar Generalship, Cardinal Lueido Maria Parroeehi, Chancellor of the Church, was considered a most likely candidate to the Papacy. His popularity, however, is somewhat on the wane, as a result of the numerous disputes with the clergy of Rome, brought about by his extreme severity. “If Cardinal Parroeehi becomes Pope he will be a second Sixtus V.’’ is the general verdict. On the other hand, Cardinal Serafino Vannutelli, who has had great experience in the diplomatic service of the Holy See, is credited with uncommon tact and ability. His brother. Cardinal Vincenzo Vannutelli. is an untiring and able canvasser, so that it would not be at all surprising if their joint effort* were successful, especially as the French and Austrian Governments have more than half signified that Cardinal Serafino Vannutelli is their candidate. He is now sixty-eight years of age. although he look* much younger. Tn the event of his election he, too. would probably lie favourable to a policy of deconciliiition with the Italian Government.

Whose plucky act saved a man from a serious railway accident at Ellerslie. She was rewarded with the Royal Humane Society’s Certificate. Emperor and Lion Tamer. Probably the most remarkable performance in the world is that given by Herr Julius Seeth, the famous German wtho has made a world-wide reputation as a lion-tamer. He has held thousands spellbound with his daring feats. Armed with nothing more formidable that a short riding whip, he enters a cage of lions and puts them through their tricks. This marvellous m n has just been giving some interesting copy to “M.A.P.” concerning “people I have met.” He places Menelik the Emperor of Abyssinia, in the first position among all the remarkable persons he has met. During the summer of 1897, writes Herr Seeth, while I was touring in Switzerland, I was one evening informed that after I had finished my performance with my twelve lions a gentleman desired to see me. It was no less than that I should accompany him to Adis Abbaba, to the capital of Menelik, Emperor of Abyssinia. He introduced himself as the Abyssinian Prime Minister, and he assured me of a cordial reception by his Royal master if I would journey with him to Abyssinia. The Emperor, he said, very greatly admired “brave deeds and men of iron nerve,” adding that no account of his of my performances with my lions would be believed by anyone at home, as the Abyssinians entertained the greatest fear of lions. I had to decline his flattering invitation. After the lapse of some months, when I had almost forgotten the- occurrence, 1 received a letter from the same Prime Minister. He wrote to me “by command,” inviting me to Court, and promising that every attention should be paid me. while a Royal present of twelve forest-bred lions (worth, say, £1,009) was held out as an additional inducement. Well, I accepted the invitation. and arrived early in 1898 at Adis Abbaba. I had scarcely arrived at my house before a whole sheep and some gallons of native beer were sent from the Royal commissariat, but these T handed to my guard, to their huge delight and my great relief. I had already tasted that beer! It was barely six o dock the next morning when I was aroused bv the Prime Minister, with whom I had supped overnight. He urged me to get up without delay, as the Emperor desired my presence immediately. and he added that as I was not travelling in the country officially levee dress would be excused, so I went in my tweed suit. T hope I shall not be accused of vanity if I say that the Emperor was

evidently immensely impressed by my appearance, for I stand 6ft. 2Jin. in my stockings, and weigh about 17 stone; while the Emperor, like most Abyssinjans, is very short of stature, and is, moreover, of poor physique. I felt more afraid of him, I’m sure, than he did of me, and felt more than a trifle nervous as I shook hands with this little black man seated tailor fashion on a divan. However, when he began to talk and laugh, displaying a fine set of teeth, my nervousness soon passed off. He was most eager for me to see his lions, and the Prime Minister was ordered to conduct me to the stable. I shall never forget the face of their keeper when I told him to open the upper half of the stable door, nor the look of surprise on everyone’s countenance, including the Emperor’s (for he had stolen after us unperceived), when the whole troupe of twenty-eight lions retreated directly they saw'me, in evident fear, huddling together in the further corner of the shed. I was at once regarded as a magician, or as an expert mesmerist at least. The Emperor was simply delighted, and shook me heartily by the hand. The reason of the lions’ timidity was clear to me. They had never seen the face of a white man before! Well, to prove my powers over lions the Emperor ordered me to select some of the lions for training purposes, so I entered the shed and pointed out three by the Emperor, and which were conveyed my quarters. In eleven days I had these lions so much under control that they sat on pedestals and worked the see-saw plank as docilely as my lions do at the London Hippodrome. As a matter of fact, those three lions are included in my present troop, together with twentyfive other lions which were given to me by te Emperor, and which were conveyed on camel-back to Djibouti on my departure from Africa. Besides the gift of the twenty-eight lions, the Emperor invested me with an order which consisted of a golden bracelet heavily jewelled with precious stones, similar in form to the military decoration bestowed on his generals by the Emperor. It was explained to me that these orders of chivalry date from a time w’hen their warriors were only partially clother, and wore no tunics on which to attach decorations. During my visit I was invited to a Court banquet, the Emperor presiding at a separate table on a raised dais, and also I was asked to a tete-a-tete little dinner with Grasmateh Makonnen, a re-

lation of Ras Makonnen, Viceroy of Gallaland, who took part in the Jubilee rejoicings over here. Both occasions were marked by strange customs. At the Royal banquet I do not allude so much to the fact that the Emperor carried everything to his mouth with his fingers as to the singular exigency of etiquette which required that whenever the Emperor drank from his cup (containing a potent spirit), an attendant on either side screened him from observation by holding up before him an embroidered cloth. It seems ungracious to criticise the manners of a country where I received such a hearty welcome, but I cannot refrain from also speaking of my little dinner with Grasmateh Makonnen, though I do so in no earping spirit. I

shall never forget that meal! One course consisted of a portion of a raw sheep which was held in front of us while we cut off strips of flesh, I with my knife and my host with his sword. Afterwards we had, horrible to relate, a chicken which had been held only a few minutes over the embers of a charcoal stove placed between us. This repast struck me as all the more revolting and quaint from the fact that my host kept up the conversation in French, bringing to me in the sharpest contrast the reminiscences of many delightful petit dinners I had eaten in gay Paris. After this experience I need scarcely say I was somewhat chary of accepting dinner invitations in Abyssinia.

The Countess of Russell’s husband, who passed as Prince Stuart de Modena, but Was convicted a few days ago In the name of William Brown, upon a charge of having caused a false entry to be made in the marriage register. lie was only a footman after all.

A Rising' Author. Mr E. Phillips Oppenheim, the author ot “A Prince of Sinners,” an interesting novel just out, is an Englishman by birth and descent, hailing from Leicestershire, where he was educated at Wyggeston Grammar School. Mr Oppenheim is a “mere boy” of thirty-six, of average height, and with a suggestion of the “gentleman-jock” in his wiry build and ruddy, mobile, clean-shaven face. For the rest, he has smooth, dark hair, humorous grey eyes beneath prominent reddish eyebrows, a determined chin, and a very cheery—l had almost written “chirpy”—taking manner. A man who thoroughly enjoys every moment of his life, and is never so happy as when in, motion, especially in a motor-car (writes

Mr T. P. O’Connor). Mr Oppenheim is one of the comparatively few writers —ladies excepted) who have never been anything else, though I must qualify that statement by admitting that for some years he was interested in his father’s business, which, when he inherited it, he lost little time in disposing of. Still, on the whole, he has earned his living by his pen since early manhood. He was but eighteen years of age when his first book, “Expiation,” was published, and he spent the next few years and most of his money in buying up copies of it. Heaven forbid that I should encourage blackmail, but I fancy that anyone with a copy of “Expiation” for sale would receive a fashionable bazaar price for it from Mr

Oppenheim, for he was not. and is not, proud of his first-born, although “The Times” described it as “the most extraordinary book we have ever read,” possibly because all the original characters had met a violent death half-way through, and an entirely new set had to be introduced. His next booK, “The Monk of Cruta,” however, brought him into favourable prominence, and since then he has steadily advanced with “Mysterious Mr Sabine” (which brought him a visit from an indignant gentleman cf that name), “A Man and His Kingdom,” “A Millionaire of Yesterday,” “The Traitors,” “The Survivor,” and “Master of Men.” The last-named is, in Mr Oppenheim’s opinion, his best work. Of course, he has written many short stories for periodicals, toe latest of

which, and a very striking one, was in the “Windsor.”

Sir Philip Burse Jones Criticised

Sir Philip Burne Jones has been having an unpleasant time in New York. “When this country is visited,” says a New York paper, sternly, “by a man who cannot paint, the duty of those who judge is to declare that he cannot paint.” Sir Philip is informed that “he would never have been heard of except for his father, and for a scandalous interest which he encouraged by making ‘The Vampire’ the conspicuous element of his exhibition.” This leads the NewYork paper to a general reconsideration of the attitude of America towards visi tors, which visitors will no doubt do well to note. “We are not,” it says, “so easy as we were. If a duke is silly and vulgar, even our tuft hunters ignore him. If a painter is very weak, his being an Englishman will not save him. Even a popular musician from Italy must behave.” In short, New York announces that it has outgrown the stage at which a foreign label was a passport to its pocket and its affections.

Who was awarded bronze medal, special ribbon, and certificate by thff Royal Humane Society, lie has on several occasions saved persons from drowning. o o o o o A Winston Churchill Story. The Duke of Argyll tells a good story of Mr Winston Churchill. He was, he said, once at a school at Ascot, and he observed a small boy running once, twice, three times round the 'cricket ground. His Grace said to the head master. “What on earth is that little boy doing running round the field in that way?” “That.” replied the head • master, “is Lord Randolph Churchill’s son, and when he speaks too much we make him run three times round the cricket ground.” (Laughter.) “I cannot help thinking.” the Duke added, “that sometimes his constituents might make him run round the town of Oldham.” (Renewed laughter.) > o o o o How Many Mlles People Dance. A statist has recently calculated the number of miles people dance. According to him, an ordinary waltz represents a journey for each dancer of about 1,308 yards. It is the longest dancing journey, except, of course, the quadrille, the four united figures of which involve a dance 01 about a mile. For dances with separate partners the mazurka ranks after the waltz, with a distance of 1035 yards, the polka 948 yards, and the Pas de Quatre with scarcely 872 yards. He further estimates, basing his opinion on numerous experiments, that at a grand ball, beginning, for example at ten p.m„ to finish at 5.30 a.m., a person who figures in all the dances, including the cotillon, makes at least 28,000 paces, which is equivalent to nearly twelve miles.