The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-02
The white Dove OF Monte Oavalla.
AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF Plus THE MINT
BY MADAME LIZ VERT.

BY MADAME LIZ VERT.
Gregory, Pope of Rome, was dead. As soon
IS this sad event was announced, all the cardinals
assembled in conclave in the Qurinsl Palace
where they we're TO remain until they had elected
q new pope. They met in the chapel, and were
all seated in richly carved and massive chairs re-
eembling thrones, for they were of equal rank
and any one of their number might be chosen as
supreme ruler of the Catholic world.
Cardinal Lambruschini, the former minister Of
Pope Gregory, was considered the probable
choice, however.
Msstai Feneti one of the cardinals, was selected
to read the names, when the ballot was opened
With that gentle dignity which charsSterizes his
manner be proceeded to read the votes. Fifteen
times he read the name Of Cardinal Lambruschin
On the sixteenth ballot appeared the name of
Cardinal Mastai Feneti. As he uttered it, white
dove few into the chapel through the open win
dow, and after circliDg several times around the
throne chair, near which Masts Feneti was stand
ing, perched upon the altar, glancng around with
its bright eyes, and then quietly fixing them upon
the cardinal. In succession he opened thirteen
ballots, all containing the name of Mastai
FeDeu. -...n
The bslloting continued for some time, and con.
stantly Mastai Feneti gained additional votes.
With faltering voice he read them, until the last
ballot was to be opened. and then he entreated
that some other cardinal might be deputed to
read it. But this request could not be granted,
and be was compelled to continue. For the thirty.
sixth time (the number required for eectionl he
pronounced his own name. Then loud acclama-
tons filed the chapel
Mastai Fened needed them not. He sank upon
his knees, and in fervent prayer, seemed to H.
woke divine protection in this hour of his grandest
responsibility.
So ssint-like was the expression of his noble
fsce--sO holy the light of his beautiful eyes-so
meek and humble his attitude, that all bowed be.
fore him in reverence, convinced that in him the y
had chosen, as their supreme pontif, true and
faithful successor Of Saint Peter.
The name of Cardinal Mastai Feneti had been
rarely mentioned as a candidate for the position:
still there were thirteen of the august cardinals
who appreciated Mastai Feneti, and knew that he
was man OF purest piety-of intellect and of
perfect integrity of purpose. His whole life in
the new world, as well as in the old, had been de-
voted to the exercise of his ministry. His mission
had always been TO save the erring, to cheer the
sinking heart, to uphold the courage of the faith
full. Far, far away, in the pampas of Buenos
Ayres. amid the lofty Andes, and along the coast
OF Chill and Peru, he had obeyed his masters
eco ye therefore and teach all nations.n
He had no ambition for power, no desire to
possess it, and his heart tembled with fear in this
hour of his unexpected triumph.
The Quirinal Palace is upon Monte Cayallo.
thus named from the colossal statues of Castor
and Pollux, chiseled by the hands of Prascililes
and Phidias, and as fresh and graceful as they
were twenty four hundred years ago. The great
square in front of the palace was entirely GOV.
cred by vast multitude of people, all watching
the smoke, which would ascend after the burning
of the ballots. Soon it all vanished, then door
upon the balcony opened, and it was announced
that Cardinal Mastai Feneti had been chosen
Pope of Rome.
Shouts of joy swelled through the Eternal City,
fosted over the wide Campagns, and even stole
down into the prisoners dungeon, where many
had langnished for long, weary years. The good
cardinal was well known to the poor aud the
sorrow ladened. Hence it was not wonderful
that hope blazed up in thousands of hearts where
grief and despair had d welt before, for they felt
that Justice and charity, peace and good will,
Plus the Ninth. For days and weeks Rome WAS
exultsnt in its delight. A new and happy life
possessed it; the dungeon doors were opened,
and prisoners once more looked upon the light of
heaven, and the light Of loving eyes.
Alb those were glorious days in the City
of the Soul"