ROME AT THE KING'S DEATH,

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

ROME AT THE KING'S DEATH,

The following extract from a private letter to the editor of the Catholic Review comes from the distinguished Roman ecclesiastic who has already placed ourselves and the readers of the CathoUo Review under an obligation, by promptly cabling reliable news of the Holy Father's death, thereby relieving us of a most painful uncertainty. We publish it now to show the situation in Rome just before the death of the Holy Father. They were hoping that years and strength might bo vouchsafed to him, but while this was their wish they were prudent in realising that his days were numb ered. Ova 1 correspondent also explains the very evident policy of the usurpers in their grand funeral of Victor Emmanuel. We quote : " This calamity " (the death of the Holy Father) "is not to be feared -just at present, since the Holy Father is tolerably well, and, independently of his usual complaint and his inability to walk, his general state of health is satisfactory. But, on the other hand, >ye must not be Hind to the reality, nor must we let ourselves be deceived by certain u>o favourable and partial reports, so as to believe that the Pope's ailment is nothing but a trifle. The fact is, that the Holy Father, in spite ofall remedies, cannot rncorcr from hist illness, and his health, though without any immediate danger, is still growing weaker and eraduafiy decaying. Let us pray that our Lord will spare that precious life to the Church for a long time yet ; as long, at least, as circumstances do not take a better tarn, and make the danger and confusion which would now attend that eventless probable. . . . Meantime Victor Emmanuel is dead, as you know. While writing this I hear the roaring of the cannon, which has been going on for over six hours already, and is going to continue, I believe till evening. This is to .accompany and announce the funeral procession which has been nil this while marching through the principal streets of Rome, carryhif the remains of tbe late King to be deposited in the Church of the Pantheon. The Liberals and Revolutionists have determined to make the best out of the event, and thus far hare succeeded. The whole city is in a great excitement, thousands and thousands have pomod in Irom all parts of Italy, deputations without number from the principal towns and municipalities of the country, and, what is still more significant, representatives from all the courts" of Europe, viz. : Germany, England, Russia, Franco. Spain, and the minor powers, including tlic Queen of Portugal, who is the daughter of the deceased monarch. In fact, they have done their utmost to make this celebration appear a solemn ratification of the past, aad a European recognition of the Kingdom of Italy. To this effect they have also resolved that tbe body of Victor Emmanuel shall be buried in the new '• capital "' of Italy, and a superb monument erected to his memory either in the Pantheon or in St. Maria dcgli AnEjeli. What good the Providence of God will draw from all this, is hard to foresee. There is a great anxiety about the policy and character of the new King Humbert. The most general impression now is, that ho will make an effort to check the republican party, and make head against the progress of the Revolution. If this be true, I think he will not succeed, it bein°too late for that, and instead of his getting rid of the democracy, the democracy will got rid of him. Be this as it may. we have very little to hope from men, and so we must be true to God' and pray incessantly for the Church that she may soon come out triumphant of these terrible trials."