The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-08
The College of Cardinals.

Translated from the French Journal ''La PresSe."
Petrucelli de la Gattina member of the TIA
lian Parliament publishes series of letters, in
which he discusses the probable consequences
OF the not distant decease of the actual Pope
Plus TX. As in that event the College of Car
dinals will have to play the principal part, the
following particulars will be read with interest.
The College OF Cardinals numbers at present
ifty-eight members of whom eighteen have been
nominated by Gregory XVI, and the other forty
by Plus TX; twenty-five OF them are from the
former and actual Papal territory, fifteen from
the provinces OF Italy, eighteen from foreign
nations viz, eight Frenchmen five Germans,
three Spaniards, one Belgian, and one Por-
tuguese.
The senior of the college is Cardinal Mattel
dominated in 1892; bat the oldest member as
to his age is Cardinal Alameda Brea (born in
178l); after him come Ugolini Bellict (born in
1888, and Sycitowski (Dorn in 1855. These
cardinals, and some OF those who in age come
next to them, also a certain number of cardinals
OF foreign (not ItalIan) origin, in case the Pope
should suddenly die, will not assist at the con-
clave, and unless the present Pope should nomi.
nate some twelve or fourteen more cardinals,
only forty to lorty-four cardinals are likely to
take part in the election OF this next Pope.
The character OF the two last Popes furnishes
some revelations concerning the qualities OF the
cardinals. Gregory XVI who was in constant
dread OF all liberal ideas, filed the College of
Cardinals with reactionary members; Plus TX,
although less influenced by this fear, was still
open TO suspicion OF every kind OF capacities,
and therefore always preferred to bestow the
cardinals hat upon sImple-minded and pious
ecclesastics, or such as were believed to be so.
Like the paradise OF the saints, the College of
Cardinals was peopled by him with 'the poor
in mind" Tue saints who have been beatifed
by the present Pope are generally, like the
martyrs OF Japan, men without any culture.
Similar principles guided him in his nomina-
tions Of cardinals, with the exception of foreign
cardinals, who are usually recommended aud
presented by their respective courts. Ia regard
to this, Plus TX. who IN other things IS accus-
10 ~ fhn o1x xrin lf AIT, ali
Merode, follows his own inspirations If on
such and similar occasions he desires any ad-
vice. he addresses himself TO some obscure
monks, of whom as one OF his chiei counsellors
is mentioned Padre PIcclslll, q very reacuonary,
narrow-minded, and tanatlcal Jesuit, who, how
ever, passes for well instructed, but whose head
is filed only with scholastic subtleties.
During the eighteenth century the College of
Cardinals assumed deliberatve character; in
the nineteenth, il has become bureaucratical.
Its political color is now decidedly black, and IL
is reactionary to such degree that even Plus
TX is considered by them as revolutionary.
The majority OF them are devoted to an eXagge-
rated religious austerity. There are among the
cardinals only few professional men, as for
example, Bofondi, who is clever iurlst; Cate.
rlnl and DE Lucca, who are considered good
canOnists; Dom Pitra, who is an oriental scholar,
and Dl Pietro, who has the reputation of great
sagacity; as the best bishops are reputed Corsl,
RlaTio, and Di Angels.
The most narrow minded Of all is Monsignore
Carafa-the least considered, Grassellini who
began his career as police officer. Barnabc
and Guidi are said to be we'll veTsed in philoso
phical matters. Antonelli passes for the crafties
of all, but of his scientific instruction little il
known. De Andrea IS given out by his colleague,
as crazy on account OF his coming from family
OF madmen. Bofondi, Guidl, Pietro, Mertel,
Pontne, Grassellini and SylYestri are besides
De Andrea, pointed out as "progressists.p ID
Angels, Riaria, and Guidi are said to have tn,
best chance of becoming the successors OF tn
actual Pope. The most reactonary OF all 1
Monsignore Altieri.
In the election of o new Pope no account i
made OF the foreign cardinals. Since Adrian V
II has become fixed princiole not to elect
foreigner as Pope. Those foreign cardinals VIII
are rich, of high birth, and OF influence nea
Their courts, are sometimes honOred with ie'
votes, but never elected. Only Italians becom
Popes.
That which exercises the least influence upol
the election OF Pope IL, without any doubt
the holy spirit which is invoked to this purpose
the powerful courts and their representative