The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-07-13
MISCELLANEOUS.
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE POPE.


OF our introduction TO the Pope when at
Rome. believe have never written. At our
request. the American consul, who is our high.
es official character at the Court Of Rome,
transmitted to the Cardinal Secretary of State,
a note expressing our desire of a presentation
10 his holiness, if the interview would be az ree
able. In q few Gays reply was received,
granting the request, and appointing day for
the presentation. We were given 10 under.
| stand that il was indispensaby necessary that
the ladies' Of The party should be ve,led, and
dressed in black. and they habited themselves
accordingly. A black dress coat and sho s
are required as a part ofthe dress of gentlemen;
| and in our proper costume, at about2 o'clock of
the appointed day, we repaired to the Votican.
which adjoins the church of St. Peter. We
| were received at the door of an ante-chamber
by one of The guards, in the uniform of The Pa
pal Court. unique dress, with black. red. and
yellow stripes, which is said 10 have been de.
signed by Michael Angelo. The guard wore
sword and loose in his hand haf, surmounted
with an iron spear and half moon: the latter
somewhat resembling The halbert with inverted
edge. Passing into this room, we were met
| by the Pope's servant in waiting. dressed in
black /; and having here disposed Of our over
clothes, were led by him through the reception
room into small apartment beyond, hung
round with the portraits ofthe Popes, including
that of his present holiness, Gregory XVII
Here we were TO wait until the Pope should
be in readiness TO receive US, and were requcs
ted to be seated. The whole suite of rooms
was plainly and scanty furnished the sole
furniture in the reception.room was an ordinary
wooden liable, standing near the centre of the
apartment, upon carpet about six feet square.
The rest of The floor, which was of brick. the
usual floor of Italian houses, was uncovered. 10
about half an hour after our entrance the ser.
want returned. and led the wav TO the reception
room. where we found the Pope standing BY
the table and partly resting ugninst it. He
was clothed in robo and casSock of white
cashmere, the dress of the Franciscan friars.
10 which order he formerly belonged. The robe
was plain with buttons down before. The top
of his head was covered with cap of the same
material with the robe. His dress way evident
y not new, ond the cap considerably soIled -
But the whole, considering that he too was
without "childe or guide wife," was more clearly
than have seen on many an old bachelor,
whose mind, unlike that of his holiness was
spiritual kingdom. His feet were covered
with Turkish slippers, beautifully embroidered
with gold.
We we're received upon our approach with
great graciousness, and were pvt at our ease by
the afiabiily of his manner. Our names and
country were made known, and we remained
standing, directly in front of him. His inqui.
ries indicated that he was well acquainted with
passing events be spoke with knowledge Of
our country and its institutions. Of The disa.
greemcnt subsisting between our Government
and that Of Great Britain. and Of the apparent
prospect of a rupture. He inquired in relation
TO ourselves, of our travels and future drstina-
lion. and whether we intended 10 visi. Mount
Etna, as well as Vesuvlus; expressing at the
same time wish that our residence in Rome
might prove agreeable, and our an,icipalions
of pleasure be realized. ! observed that ho
seldom permitted his eyes TO fall upon the la
dies of our party. He related humorous an
ecdotes ofthe Carnival which hid inst passed,
and gave us an account, in very lively man.
ner. how the Garnd Duke of Austria. at a pre-.
vious Carnival, was pelted on Corso with con.
fetti, and how with great glee he had retaliaied
in throwing great quantities Of confetti a. his
ty minutes, when the Pope bowed, and we.
bowling in Tutu.n, left the apartment through
the door we had entered. During the inter.
view he continued to hold gold snuff box in
his left hand, of the contents of which he made
a very liberal use. When animated with agree.
able conversation, The countenance Of the Pope
is expressive of great amiableness. but ordina
rilv, and particularly in the service ofthe chap
ell, has cas-, of deep soemnity bordering on
melancholy. At such times have seen tears
coursing down the old mans checks. Since
our introduction we lave met him accidentally
in retired part of Rome, where. followed by
two ofhis servants, he was taking a walk. His
carriage, from which he had descended, was
standing at a short distance. He had been i'll,
and l thought bore himself with feeblcness.--
He recognized and kindly salutcd US. have
subsequently, seen him performing his arduous
duties in the interesting ceremonies of Holy
week. with strong and full voice, and firm
step. il occurred to me. when | saw him
mount the steps Of the high alter with the steadI-
ness and agility Of youth. that he might yet
live 10 balk many Of the younger cardinals in
their aspirations to the Papal throne. The
Pope must be over seventy and there are ma
ny of the cardinals whom should think older
than himself those of course are without hope
Of the succession. have never seen more
intelligent well-looking body of men. and l
doubt whether there is n council in Europe
which embraces more intellect.
DrsrNTERMENT OF THE REMAINS OF GEN.
HARRIsoN-DIsPUTEsF FOR THE POST OF GEN.
MACoMB.
Congress urhandsomely have given $685..
900 to the family Of Gen. Harrison minus what
he has received. So much Of the bitterness of
the late Presidential canvass yet exists, that
everv oonosifiOn Senafor (Mr W,Ita, of AZ,