Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-21
naiIp Ntnnebre 9omnM.
THE PRIVATE LIFE OF THE POPE.

Those who see the Pope in state can
form little idea of the simplicity in which
the Pontiff lives The liking OF Italy
lives worse than denizen of thlrd-rate
clearinghouse in New York. The fur
niture Of the Pitt Palace would be despised
by Canal street broker, and dry goods
clerk would despise the horrible Milanese
cigars which his Majesty is eternaliy smok-
ing. All of which is generally known,
and is very commendable, because it is
done for economy, and to save the i'm
poyerished exchequer. Yet there is no
reason why the Pope should not 1--we IN
style becoming king, but his own dislike
of pomp and naturally simple tastes.
Leaving the gilded saloons of the show
part OF the palace, you pass through
door carefully guarded by two OF the noble
guard with drawn swords. A small passage
conducts to the guards waiting room,
where orderlies and officers in waiting at
tend. Another room is allotted to the groom
of the chambers, prelate in his violet robe.
The next is the ante chamber, where
the Observation-Disclosures chamberlains OF
his Holiness-are in attendance. You tap
at the next door, and it is opened by
another Monsignori. who assured Of your
right of entree, lifts silk curtain, and
yoa are in the presence. The room strikes
you as singularly bare. There is no car
pet on the stone floor. the articles are few
and by no means costly. There is large
bookcase filled with works mostly bound
in parchment. A prie-Dieu, with velvet
cushion and exquisite little Madonna, by
Canova, in alabaster, on a bracket, stands
over the prie- Dieu, and well-worn, COM
monty bound book of hours lies on the
edge Of the PRED together with a
crucifix and a reliquary and a com
mon rosary. There is little china holy
water stoup at the door; an exceedingly
fine portrait of the Pope hangs over the
mantle itself, on which there is a time
piece Of the Louis Quinze period, in
ormolu, and two sta.uettes OF st. Joseph
and the Good Shepherd. There are no
curtains to the windows which overlook
the Vatican garden. In the center of the
apartment is large writing desk, such as
stands in the private cabinat of Louis
XIV at Versailles. 1t has two large COM
partments, filled with pigeon holes, in
which are bundles of paper. A crucifix
stands between these compartments, with
the wounds and agony OF the Redeemer
finely painted and awfully real.
The inkstand is very common one of
china, with poncet box to match; a bum
die of quilts lies near it, and soiled rug
on which the pens have been wiped this
many day. A few books of devotion are
also there. They are the Limitation, :"
Scupoli's "Spiritual Combat" devotion
of St. Francis de Sales" breviary, a
Bible, Rodriguezs Spiritual Perfection"
Signors ..Glories of Mary" Life of St.
Theresa,- &c. There is a pile of French
journals, the ReUne des Daer Mondes, the
CiritG Cdtholico, and other Italian papers.
His Holiness sits in an arm chair, not mer-
iting the title of easy, for it cruelty ter
inmates in the middle of his back, and is
rigidly constructed without regard to COM
fort He'is attired in simple cassock Of
white flannel, with no insignia of rank
about it save the Episcopal ring. His
head is covered with white skull cap.
He has seen reading, and beside his open
book is common metal snuff box, and
let not my lady readers be horrified-a
common red handkerchief Havingma
the usual reverences on my knees he mo-
toned me to approach. As recall now
the effect produced on me by that interview
do not wonder that half lunatical young
men, fresh from college, should yearn to
die in his defence, as Of old Christians
painted for the crown of martyrdom.-
January GALAXY