The New York herald., 1871-01-17

SDecinI Visit to the vatican-CardinRl
Antonelli's Exposition Or the Coudition
Of the Church and shs War In Europe.
A special correspondent of the HERALD
in Rome supplies the very interesting and
attractive letter which appears in our columns
from the Holy City to-day. This communi-
cation is of much Importance also, for 1t
speaks Of many serious events from a grand
centre Of information, and by the tongue and
lips Of man who is, to very considerable
extent, the moving power Of that centre-his
Eminence Cardinal Antonslli. The HERALD
writer, dating In Rome on the 9th inst, for
warded his narrative to London by mail.
From the English capital 1t was telegraphed
specially through the cable to New York. Our
representative in the Eternal City had just
visited the Palace of the Vatican. He was
accorded friendly personal audience by
the Cardinal Secretary Of State of his Holi-
ness. Rome remained unal!ered near to the
residence of the PontifE. The street scene
was almost the same as in former years. Quiet
prevailed inside the doors Of the palace.
Unawed, perhaps unmoved, by the tumults of
the outside worldly s'wars and the rumor of
wars'-the dwelling of the Pope, the very
essential seat to which ''the orphans of the
heart turn for consolation. presented little
change There were Swiss Guards at the
door and on the grand staircase, ushers both
lay and clerical well disciplined servants, a
priestly major domo and polite attention.
The HERALD correspondent, cognizant pre-
viously of the routine etiquette, advanced
rapidly. Cardinal Antonelli received him, as
will be seen by our special report, In the most
animated and unrestrained in his manner and
conversation. He spoke of many topics,
passing in his naturally happy manner of re-
mark from ''grave to gay, from lively to se-
vere." He appeared rejoiced at having been
afforded an opportunity of forwarding mes
sage Of Pontifcal thanks to the congregations
in America for the Catholic coincidence and
material aid which they have already afforded
to the Holy Father He sends it through our
columns. OF the Roman question the Cardi-
settled until after the close of the Franco
Prussian war. OF this terrible and destruc-
tive struggle he says that it should have
terminated at Sedan, and that Prussia com
mitted 'smistake" in refusing such an issue
The Cardinal has poor opinion of the men
who Now rule France. His Holiness the
Pope enjoys excellent health. Under the
influences Of contented mind and regular
daily exercise the Pontiff shows forth the
mems sano IN co7pore s0no. Cardinal Aato-
nelli described some of the most exciting
scenes which were witnessed on the occasion
Of the recent inundation of portion of the
city Of Rome, setting forth the prompt and
charitable action Of the Pope and the ready
invention and orderly conduct of the citizens
for the relief of the sufferers. The Cardinal
referred, as if casually, to the Italian occupa-
ton Of Rome He said that that event had
caused him SO much additional labor that he
Was prevented from accompanying the Pope
in his daily walk in the garden of the Vatican
during the past three months, with the excep-
tion of one occasion. Volatile in tempera-
ment. as pure Italian, his Eminence closed
the conversation with a few well-timed plea
santries, conducted our correspondent to the
door with the most suave polteness, and babe
him the ssoale" scale in tone which charac-
terized the Christian priest and accomplished
gentleman.