Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-01-25
Miseellann.
The Pope.

occasion of his visit to the Church Of the |
feast day on which all the
shops were closed. The church is situated
about a mile from Vatican, and to make it
easy riding for his Holiness and the Car
dinals, sand was sprinkled on the pavement
the entire distance.
Go with me to the church and see the
sight, for perhaps there may not be many
more of the same sort. The streets
through which he is to pass are lined with
people; the windows hung with draperies. |
Two regiments of French troops guard
the way, and the popc's own cavalrymen
patrol the streets with drawn swords. You
must ride where they say on this occasion.
Entering the church in advance of the
crowd, we obtain standing place near the
altar to see the ceremonies.
While the people are gathering priest
delivers lecture upon the immaculate
conception of the Virgin. Then comes
the sound of the distant drumbeat, the
blow of trumpets and the cheers of the
people. A squad of the Swiss guards, in
uniform of gaudy colors and nodding
plumes, pass up the aisle. The lamps and
candes-several hundred in number-are
lighted. and the Pope, with forty or fifty
cardinals, approaches the altar and kneels
while a mass is being sung by a choir of
priests.
While he kneels there, let us take look
at this potentate who is the head of the
Roman Church. He is an old man, born
in 1892, seventy-two years of age. Old
age, gray hairs and benevolent counte-
nance command respect, and all of these
Plus TX possesses. No breath of calumny
has ever tainted his private life, and he is
reputed to be benevolent. In statute he
is short, thick set and obese. He wears a
gorgeous robe emblazoned with gold, and
train which is held by four of the atrend-
ing prelates. Most persons would unhes-
itatipgly say, "there is good natured
man +" but a close inspection of those sunk
en- eyes might raise a mistrust that sublety
was an accompaniment to the good nature.
He bows, leans his head upon his hands
moment, and then, willie the priests are
chanting, takes pinch of snuff He is a
true Catholic, and the inventor of the dog
ma of the immaculate conception of the
virgin, that she, like the Savior, was born
without sin.
Edmund About said of him in 1859 that
the character of this respectable old man
is made up of devotion, simplicity, vanity,
weakness and obstinacy, with an OCCASION
al touch of rancor. He blesses with unc-
ton and pardons with difficulty; he is a
good priest and an insufficient King. His
intellect which has raised such great hopes,
is of very ordinary capacity. l hardly
think he is intalliblc in temporal matters.
His education is that of the average Of
Cardinals in general"
The people of Rome and of all Italy,
think, wish that no harm may come TO him,
but, Notwithstanding all that, it is very ev-
ident that they will, one of these days, ask
him to resign his temporal power.
While the chanting goes on he remains
kneeling, but now he rises, and in clear
steady tones, remarkable for one so old
performs his part in the service. Ther
there is the response of the Cardinals
then of the people, and now from the choil
An impressive service well calculated tt
charm those who do not deem spirituality
the all essential part of religious service
This performed, there is burning of in
cense from silver and golden censors, ant
then the elevation of the host and tn,
blessing of the POPE upon the people. I'll,
descends from the altar. the Swiss Guard
clears the way and he disappears with th'
Cardinals in the robing room.
Let us hasten out of doors TO see ih,
successor ef the Apostles enter his coach
There it stands resplendent with gold, will
four footmen in cooked hats, gold lacet
scarlet coats, short breeches, long stocking
and garters. There are six prancing blacl
horses, in gold mounted harnesses, witt
postillions in scarlet and gold.
In the train of the Pope are all th'
coaches of the Cardinals, gaudy with gol,
all drawn by black steeds, three footmeI
10 each Cardinal, making regiment o
lackeys. There is dense crowd OF people
which with the military, fill the street.
The Pope appears and enters his car
riage the hands salute him; the troop,
present arms the people wave their h and
kerchiefs and shout Vira Pho Mono, The
old man with benevolent countenanct
thrusts his hands out of the carriage win
dows and moves his first and second fingers
thus scattering his benedictions upon tn,
people, the cavalry galloping by his side
to ward off all harm from Christ's vical