Roman Notes.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 22, 23 September 1887, Page 7

Roman Notes.

The usual rumours are prevalent with respect to the health of the Pope. But as usual they may be taken for what they are worth His Holiness is now a man of 78 years of age, and, naturally he must suffer the infirmities of his time of life. These will necessarily be more marked and frequent during the heat of summer. There is no reason to look immediately for any extraordinary failure in the health of the Pope, and we may hope to see him live to bring about a state of things more satisfactory for the Church than that which now exists.

An exhibition of the Leonine Institute took place the other day at the Vatican. The institution is an academy established a few years ago by the Pope, for the promotion of high literary studies Several of the students acquitted themselves on learned subjects in a manner which testified brilliantly to the success of the Pope's design in making the foundation. His Holiness afterwards delivered a Latin address, in which he expressed the gratification felt by him alluding also to the influence of literary pursuits, and pointing out to those who blame the Church how great a debt is owed to her for the services she has rendered to letters.

The latest anti-clerical demonstration has been a banquet held to commemorate the attempt made on July ]3, 1881, to throw the remains of the Holy Pontiff, Pius IX., which were being conveyed by night to their resting-place, at St. Lorenzo fuori le mura, into the Tiber. The heroes of the evening were the two prominent rioters, Mollo and Andreoli, who bad been arrested for their misconduct on the occasion alluded to. The custom try bombast and revolutionary vaunting characterised the festival.

The mission of the Fathers from Mill Hill, under the Rev. Father Becker, to the Maoris of the diocese of Auckland has received the confirmation of the Pope. A little surprise has been expressed in some quarters as to the necessity for this mission, as it was understood that it had been undertaken with success many years a<*o by the members of another Order. But, then, in Europe a good deal respecting the antipodes generally is often misrepresented In any case, it is to be hoped that the Fathers from Mill Hill will make up for lost time or any other accidents that may have occurred.

A good deal of interest has been excited by the fact that on King Humbert's visiting, the other day, the iron works at Terni, the bishop of the diocese was among those who took part in his Majesty's reception. This is interpreted by some people to mean that the Pope is ready to accept the usurpation of the Papal States as finally accomplished and irretrievable, and that His Holiness will confine all his demands for restoration to the city of Rome. What is undoubted in the matter is that never before since the usurpation has any bishop in the Papal States recognised the King openly. But whether the Bishop of Terni acted independently or under instructions time must explain. At piesent nothing is certainly known to throw light on his action. But implicit confidence may be placed in the wisdom, courage, and devotion of the Holy Father. What he directs or accepts will be well directed or accepted. Under his guidance the Church will lose nothing.

Discussion concerning a lettei reported to have been addressed by Cardinal Rampolla to the various nuncios asserting that the Pope would never surrender his claims to the temporal sovereignty has been in some degree tempered by the publication of a letter from His Holiness to the Cardinal Secretary in which the same assertion is distinctly made. The letter, nevertheless, is explained by some people as claiming sovereignty only over the city of Rome, and, therefore, as coDfirming the idea that the Bishop of Terni, in acknow ledging King Humbert without the Roman walls, acted under instructions. But these are matters that require some further explanation before the Catholic public may legitimately canvas them. For the present the decision remains with the Holy Father and his chosen counsellors. The Catholic world will accept their ultimatum without questioning it.

Skinny Men.— 1 ' Wells' Health Renewer" restores health and vigour ; cures dyspepsia. At chemists and druggists. Kempthorne Prosser and Co., agents, Dunedin. ' Negotiations, says the \Weehly Advertiser, will be opened in November next, between the Vatican and Portugal for the establish* ment of a Catholic hierarchy on the Congo, on lines similar to those adopted for tne East Indies. A Lutheran pastor named Thummel ha sbeen sentenced at Elberftld, Germany, to nine months' imprisonment for writing a pamphlet grossly insulting the Catholic Church. Tbummel's publisher got two months' imprisonment. The Central Nens learns that arrangements have been made for a Beries of Home Rule demonstrations in Eseex. Sir William Harcourt will commence the series at Chelsford on the 27th inst. Mr. John Morley is to address a meeting at Maiden, and Earl Spencer will speak at Saffron Walden. r