The Portland daily press., 1869-04-13
'ermss $500 per amnuns, In adrance.

matter, especially for Americans, to Obtain
an interview with his Holiness. Our names
were sent in, through the consul, and In tne
course of week circular letter OF INVITA-
ton was sent us from the Grand Chamber
lain, stating the day and hour when we
would be received, and prescribing the cos
tune to be worn On The occasion, which was
for ladies, black dress, with veil on the head
for gentlemen, either uniform, or evening
dress black suit. AT the appointed time we
drove to the Vatican were received at the
entrance by an officer of the guard, and pass
ed through various corridors, chambers. up
long starcases in the Palace, in every turn of
which was soldier of the Swiss Guard, till
we reached the waiting room, where those to
be presented Lad assembled. There were in
all about one hundred ladies and gentlemen.
mostly Americans. After waiting a short
time the door opened and with some disorder
we were marshaled through irescoed and
painted corridor to the saloon where the
Pope was. 1t was a room about so feet long,
20 feet wide, ordinarily furnished, the floor
covered with common carpet. His Holi-
ness when we entered was standing at one
end OF the room in front of a table,
One or two secretaries or officials
In purple dresses were al his side
He wore white wooden robe of the kind
usually worn by priests, with a scarlet cloak
trimmed with gold hanging over his sboul-
der (ln his hoa1 ba 1aI
He is very mild looking old man with
round face, pleasant smile, clear complexion
and bright eye. His hair is nearly white
The photographs of him which are seen here
are exact likenesses. The room was crowded
and considerable confusion existed. We were
arranged around the room and the secreta-
ries took the circular invitations which we
had with us, in which were the names. and
attempted to present each person separately,
but there was so much crowding that it was
impossible and each one elbowed their way
as best they could. The Pope took each per-
son by the hand and occasionally said few
words, the Protestants bowing and kissing
his hand. the Catholics of which there
were few kneeling on the floor and kissing
his feet, aud the skirts of his robe. Some of
them were quite frantic iD their excesses of
devotion. After awhile the old man became
quite impatient at their opportunities al d
motioned with his hands for the audience TO
fall back. He then addressed us in French.
1t vas rambling discourse of ten minutes in
length and the substance was like the follow
ing. he said the Jews liked Christ till He
rebuked them Tor their sins. So it was in
the present day, the world did not like 10
have the ministers of God speak OF their sins.
He urged upon those present the importance
OF good works, being charitable, loving their
neishbor, aud also belief in Christ as the
Son of God. Women especially should be
foremost in all acts of benevolence like the
sacred women of former years. He said
there were there present under one roof peo
pie OF different nations, French, English and
American, having different beliefs and opiu-
ions. If we could forget all these and hum
bly, prostrate ourselves at the foot of the
cross, all these differences which now seps-
rate us would be reconclied. We then ali
kneeled down, and the Pope raising his
bands gave US his blessing, blessing all pres
ent, their friends and relatives, however far
distant. At the close. he appeared quite ia
tigued and evidently wished the audience to
retire. But the ladies surrounded him, their
arms and hands filled with rosaiies and
crosses, which they wished him TO lay his
hand on. he did it in some cases, but be-
came quite petulant, and kept saying "all are
blessed" tnen waved his hand and left the
room. Ell.