The Shasta courier., 1867-02-02
SHASTA COU RIER.
Private Life of Plus the Ninth,

The solution of the italian question is so
closely connected with the life of the present
Pope, that the general interest in everything
concerning him is greatly increased. The
private life of no Prince can be more simple,
regular and transformations than that OF Pius
the Ninth, He rises at the peep OF day.
often in the winter while it is yet dark and
at seven o'clock, after he has gone through
a portion of his breviary, repairs to the small
chapel adjoining his -bed-chamber, IN order
to read mass When the service is finished
he breakfasts, during which meal he causes
the papers of the day to be read to him, or
converses with Cardinal Moredes, who is
always about his person. Soon after this,
Cardinal Antonelli, who inhabts a part of
the upper rooms of the Vatican, makes his
appearance in order to bring in his reports
concerning the affairs of the internal govern
ment or of foreign politics. At eleven
O'Clock commences the audiences. The Pope,
in his long linen vestments, betakes himself
to a small saloon, at the extreme end of
which is a small throne. covered with a can
opv. and furnished with velvet arm chair,
richly trimmed with gold, and raised a foot
above the floor Near this chair, in which he
seats himself, is a writing table, covered with
memorials and petitions from every quarter
of the globe, awaiting the Papal decsion.-
During the short pauses which take place
between the small audiences, he puts his
name to these documents, as one Of the Car
dinals present makes their contents known
to him.
Tie affabiity of the Pope at these evees,
in spite of the strictness of etiquette, has
become proyerb, Plus the Ninth possesses
it in a HIGH degree. Persons are admitted
sngly or by twos and threes, Gneel once at the
door, again in the middle Of the room, and
once more directly in front Of the throne,
whence the Pope extends his foot to those
who desire to kiss the golden cross embroid
cred on his slipper. and where they remain
in the same posture until a signal is given
them to rise The laity are Immediately re-
leased, and the Pope addresses some kind
words to each in his native tongue, Italian,
French or Spanish. as the case may be-
German and the English, however, must
have an Interpreter, as he is unacquainted
with either of those languages. The lower
orders of the clergy are suffered to kneel for
some minutes, and often times have no sign
given them. Bishops and Cardinals, on the
contrary, after they have performed the pre-
scrbed genuflections, and have kissed the
Pope's hand, seat themselves upon low
stools. Single persons of high rank always
kneel as soon as they are addressed but
this is matter of free choice and bv no
means obligatory. Cardinal Moredes never
omits the practice, although he is the Pope's
most confidential friend
The Pope rises from his seat to receive
Princes and Princesses, advances to the
middle of the room to meet Kings and as far
the ante room to greet Emperors Ladies
less distinguished than these high dignities,
and their maids Of honor, are not permitted
to enter the Vatican, but receive their
audience either in the garden or in an ad
joining gallery. They are expected to ap-
pear in black garments and black wells,
without distinction of rank or age.
1t is interesting to hear the expressions of
those who have just left the audience cham
ber as they pass through the anteroom =
: He is an angel" cry his enthusiastic ad-
berents. And even the opponents of his
political system say, ''What an amiable
man ST. Peters chair has never held a
Pope possessed of such attractive qualities
as Plus the Ninth" The evee ended, be
partakes of simple dinner, which presents
strong contrast with the extravagant luxu
ry so prevalent at the papal tables in the
middle ages. Then comes. as in every nri
vate house in Rome, the siesta, followed bv
drive, during which one or two Cardinals
strive to amuse his Holiness with their con
versation-no difficult task, as when free
from the pressure of political affairs. he is
OF cheerful mood, and listens with pleasure
and hearty laughter to anecd otes and the
chit-chat of the day The carriage, which
is surrounded by the Papal Guards, is stop
ped outside Of the wall of Rome, either in
the vicinity of the Pyramid of Cestius, Monte
Pinlco. or the Colosseum, the Pope and Car.
dlnals leave it for a short walk. and then
drive back to Rome, where a frugal sumner
awaits them. The day is closed with a game
of billiards. which is varied by unrestrained
and cheerful conversation until ten O'Clock.
at which hour every light is extinguished in
the Natican--Harpers Weekly.