Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-06-02

A VISIT TO THE PorE-The Rome cores
pendent of the Providence Journal gives the
following relating to o visit to His Highness
Pope Plus TX:
As much as anything for the sake of carry
ing out our plans of knowing something of every
sort of Roman experience, at the close of the
last month, with n number of others, sought
and obtained presentation to the Pope The
matter was arranged and carried out by the
kindly aid of the distinguished Catholic prelate
of New York, Archbishop Hughes, who, with
his secretary, has been spending the winter in
Rome, the guests Of the Apostolic Father. The
company admitted to the audience consisted of
about twenty five, an unusually large number
for single presentation, rare indeed as presen-
tations are under any circumstances and we
were told that We had received particular favor
because we were Americans. One. half of the
company were Catholics. The time for the au-
dience was named between the hours of three
and four O'Clock on the afternoon of Sunday
and so attired in the manner prescribed by the
etiquette OF the court-gentlemen in full party
dress, and ladies in black, with wells of lace
We drove in good season to the Vatican Palace.
After ascending by the great staircase next to
St. Peters, we were led by the ackeys through
various passages and up different ascents a cor
don, to q waiting room near the end of the hall
of tapestries.
In the course Of half an hour all were as
sembled, and soon the sign was given that the
Holy Father had entered the chamber of recep-
ton. The Catholic portion of the party adj
vanced first The rest waiting their return, At
length after brief space of trembling and
uneasy expectation on the part of some, and
nervous impatience with others, our turn came.
Passing through several rooms We were ushered
into one of moderate size, with little furniture
or ornament, ut the upper end of which, with
single attendant, stood His Holiness, his arms
extended in attitude of welcome, and bene-
voieat smile resting upon his face. Following
the old maxim, while in Rome to do as the
Romans do, some Of the party had determined
to observe strictly the usual form of approaching
his Holiness which consists of a series Of very
humble genufectious bows and bending Of the
body. The whole company advanced together.
some kneeling repeatedly In SORT Of leap-frog
fashion, the rest venturing only a succession
ofprofound depressions Of the head.
The upper end Of the room and the sacred
presence mt length, reached, one by one we
bent before the father, saluting with the lips
the ring upon his extended hand, receiving at
the same time the apostolic benedction This
ended the company ranged themselves in
half circle, and for about ten minutes con-
versation, consisting principally of questions
and replies. was carried on. OF course, the
drst subject disposed of was the weather. His
Holiness remarking that some portion of the
present winter had been more severe in Rome
than had been known for many years thin ice
bad formed. and by such token We must be
reminded Of the rigorous weather of our own
rigid cline, an observation the truth Of which |
We admitted. although We did fully feel its
iofcs. he then inquired if there was any news |
AmeflCA. fhn - -h hot
there was none Of importance: it not being |
tnougne worth while to mention that the |
:. hnoW Nothlngs," had elected their candidate
10 Boston, which was the most recent intelli- |
gsoce received, our latest papers, . week after
vac arnval Of the mail. being still in the hands
y ms Holiness censors. He remarked that he
imposed psoiic attention in America was ab.
sofoed with the war in the East and the Japan
s1pedltion, to which the answer was yes, al
uossn We knew that the last is an old story,
sau wy hard times" or local pressure excited
aucn more interest than the first. Some Of
le company had brought rosaries to be blessed,
m ua'cn were held m the hand, observing which,
NY holiness said that BY such sign he was
encouraged to hope that we were ali in a fair
way to become good Catholics. Alas, he did
10y realize that our conntrymen have far more
curiosity than religious reverence. His Holt
noss oppressed his gladness 70 meet SO many
iro0 america, country so great and of s,,ch
great promise; to which Archbishon Hnohe.
replied in behalf Of the company ri,h . f.w
words OF felicitation and thanks The pons
aen rang bell. which sighted that tbe .sp.
Ference was ended, and the comparv ~srr h..s-
ng. bowling, and kneeling down IL b;r roa,.
. the door. presenting one Of the prets;ssx :.
ssl Is most amusing pictures for pantom;n,s
49,: 80 Nculd WISH 20 see. Thus ended our
s''s" with his Holiness Pope Plus TX. @
ss..s5t 't3 - ,aFs@sI 5.,5 "a |
a.. curious incident happened in the