, 1860-08-04
The Poor Old Pope

lE4onl tAe Allxtnl1e xtttlng.}
The Pope had recovered from the exerlion Of
hla tlrst audisnce. and tha rrela,e opened the
door Tor me to como in. IL the background Of
a long gallery there stood table With green
yelret cover; at the side Of the table al arm
chair; in 'ront Of the chuir the Pope in white
gown.
could not get tired Of looking at this stately
figure. 1hese beautiful and amtable features.
this dignlhed bearing. The outward appear
ance Of Plus IL creates most favorable impres.
sion. 0fth many pictures which have seen
Of him, there is not one which can be called a
perfect resemblance: they all lack the em,able
expression which the whole face reflects when
he is speaking. The glance Of his clear brown
eyes became more benignant, and his smile
more captivating, as stood gazing Mt him and
he did not seem to be offended III mr. earnest
examination. His metallic and ullaoundug
voice, heard above the tone of the organ ID
church, is in perfect harmony with his whole
noble appearance. felt sorry for the hand.
some. pleasant Pope. with the manners SO al
o,ether arIhtocraiic.
The short audience was terminated, tee Pope
extended bis white, welshaped hand, for the
usual kiss, with the beautiful parting words.
Siate 1eaedttto! Twas almoss melancholy when
left pius lN-; I could hare prayed from my
Utmost heart 1or peaceful evening to terml.
nate the life Of this kind and sympathetic man,
1t is pity TINT this man of ali others must
become victim OF circumstances! In private
life he surely would have been worthy of tue
same lore aud reverence which the other men,
bers Of bis noble family enjoy. No Pope has
ever been SO little addicted TO nepotism ~ Plus
N, II is true that his first Minister, whose
br:thers hlve all become n:llionaifes. does not
initiate him in this respect. Kind, of tender
heart and merry and jocose temperament,
Plus lA is. nevertheless, totally unit for the
exigencies Of present circumstances. He but
the play-ball Of foreis influences, and bis own
eoutltions Of passion; for he has the same vio-
lent temper which teems to be natural to all
weak characters.
Political questions make him at times almost
completely crazy, for he knows not how to dis
tin .uish caus from effect, and the present com.
plications weigh heavily upon him. In moments
Of great difficulties, his tender complaints
change with outbutstings Of great violence.
Occasionally, however, his natural good humor
gains the 'ictory,; and then jokes and will.
tisms ure uttered IN the circle Of lls friends,
which characterize most etfectua'ly his eccen.
tric individuality.
a ahost time ngo the Pope, after au interview
with foreign Minister, returned into his rooms,
completely beside himself with rage. "lloly
Father" SKID one Of the Cardinals, to comfort
@ lh; a. G9i p'i p1s''set and h help us surely the
replied Plus 1S., whom the pious sneech did
not seem to PLEASE par,icularir, "I dou't care
about the ship, but about the coach!"
PiCs lN- is said 10 have decided reverence
for great names. lie belongs, himself, to IN
old and altogether respectable family Of which
tue number il not small III the Roman Prov
inccs. The Plincipis, however, with the excep-
ton OF the Co'onnas and a lew others, generally
trace their pedigree back to a Pope, begRar
Mcnk, or some fortunate speculator; and make
up in inlpudence what thcS lAcS III the way Of
noble parGntnHe.