Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-25
An Hour with the Pope of Rome.
BY NINE. ocTAvIA WALTON LIE VERT.

NJ.
From the Hearth and Home.l
A cordial letter from our excellent
friend, Monseignsur PORTER, Bishop of
Mobile, introduced us to the Secretary of
the Propaganda Fede. Monsegneur
Barnebo, who was exceedingly kind to
us, and to whom we we're indebted for the
happiness of private audience with His
Holiness, Pho Mono.
Soon after the impressive ceremonies
of the Holy Week were over, charming
note came from the Count Borromeo, the
Lord Chamberlain, informing us that
His Holiness would receive us the next
dsy at four o'clock in the afternoon.
At the hour appointed, we drove to the
Vatican, attired in accordance with the
Court etiquette, in deep black, with long
black wells covering the head.
An officer of the Swiss Guards con-
Quoted us up the grand stairway, along
the broad corridors, through several i'm
mense apartments, to the ante-chamber.
The walls of this room were radiant with
some of the most glorious pictures of
Raphael, of Titan, of Guido, and
Murilio.
In few moments, Monseigneur Tai
bot, an English Bishop, joined us, and we
proceeded to the reception room-a long
saloon, with the exquisitely fresooed
ceiling, but with very little adornment Of
furniture.
His Holiness was seated at a small
table. He arose as we entered, and Mon
seigueur Talbot, after presenting us, re-
tired. As we approached him, he held
out his hands, and said in sweet-toned
voice:
WELCOME to Rome, my friendsl"
So genial and captivating was his man.
ner, that we soon glided into converse
tion.
He was dressed in loEg white robe,
with golden embroidery around the hem
and cape A cross hung from bis girdle,
and superb ring adorned his hand.
Although more than sixty, he was still
an uncommonly handsome man. His
ewes we're wondrously beautiful-lsrge,
soft, brown eyes; they certainly pos
sessed magnetic power, for our hearts
we're quickly drawn toward him. His
benignant smile and kind words soon re-
yealed that sympathetic nature, so gentle
and good, which would gladly shield
every human creature from sin, suffering
and sorrow.
This interview was peculiarly interest
ing TO us, not only from the pleasant
greeting we received, but from the many
expressions of appreciation and admira-
ton for our dear country, which be called
"the land Of the great Washington, and
the home Of so many of my dear chill
dren."
At first we conversed in French and
Spanish English, he remarked, he could
never pronounce correctly, but as
neither Of these languages appeared very
familiar to him, he returned to the Italian,
greatly TO my delight, for bis voice was
so rich and melodious, it was like the
sweetest strains of music. Although the
Italian language is somewhat changed,
il may still be called daughter OF the
Latin" for it retains the majestic gran
deur Of the parent tongue. Hence we
could readily imagine the lowing elo-
duence Of Cicero in bis orations, and OF
Virgil in his poems.
During our interview with His Holi-
ness, he told us many incidents OF bis
residence in South America, where the
early days Of his life as priest had been
passed. The first field Of his missionary
iabors had been in Baenos Ayres he
had travelled over the vast Pampas, and
wherever be found the Indians most
numerous, gathering them around him,