THE FORMER AND LATTER LIFE OF PIUS IX.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 259, 19 April 1878, Page 9

THE FORMER AND LATTER LIFE OF PIUS IX.

Th ey have killed him at last ! Seven years, four months, and twenty two days of imprisonment have done their murderous work, On the 16tli September, 1870,, Pope Pius IX. was a hale and hearty gentleman in his seventy-ninth year. He had led an active, vigorous, manly life ; he was accustomed to much exercise ; he was fond of long walks ; he delighted in little excursions to the suburbs of Rome : one of his chief pleasures was to go among his people, to visit them' as a father, to listen to their petitions, to share with them their sorrows and their joys. On Friday, the 16th of September, 1870, he took his last walk through the streets of his own city. "He walked along the Oorso from end to end," we are told : "He came, as usual, down the middle of the road — an attendant cardinal on each side, his chaplains with two other prelates following, and behind them a few of the Noble Guard — walking at a brisk pace, blessing the people who knelt before him with affectionate reverence, stopping from time to time to put bis hand on some child's head who had run forward to kiss his ring."' Then he entered his prison to begin his martyrdom. It lasted seven years, four months, and twenty-two days. The whole ordinary routine of his life was changed : there were no more rides or walks among his people : his exercise was limited to a promenade through the galcricb of the Vatican or a little stroll in the walled garden : his isolation from his people \va-> almost complete : for their sake he hid hiinwjlf from them : on one occasion some of them, chancing to see him from a window, were punished by fine and imprisonment becau.se i hoy ventured to express in word-, their love and devotion for him. IWeauwhilc his mind and heart were afflicted with grievous tiding.-, oC the persecutions intiieted upon hi, children in Germany, in Switzerland in Russia, iv Mexico, in Brazil, and iv the South American republics : there was not a day which did not bring Mm a new pang and a new sorrow. Doubtless lie had Ids consolations : but his in> pri-onmont, his enforced change of life, and his isolation from his immediate subjects, lalally injured his health. The strength of his constitution was wonderful — it enabled Mm to bear these "cruel torment* for more than seven years. But tfiey wore him out at last. It is »ai"o to say that under other conditions — ilie conditions of freedom ami of traiKjullity — Pius IX. would have lived ranch longer. His j ai Lois and persecutors have thirsted for bis death : tbey have accelerated it as suivly as if tbey had poisoned his food or stuck a dacrgcr through Ins heart. They have boe.i so eager for his death that they have reported it. al brief intervals, for seven years. At last they are gratified : at last tbey have killed him. Poor fools ! He still lives : and in heaven he may be more powerful than lie was on earth. Catholic Jfrriew.