Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-11-24


Pope ON the American .CaInIni.
lies.
Correspondence New York Evening POST
RoME, October 20. .S7l.
The Pope to-day held reception at
the Vatican, at which a score or more OF
English, Americans and Italians were
present. These visitors were escorted
to the usual waiting-room, a rather
dreary yet stately apartment, marked
with the Papal arms, adorned with
faded frescoes, and with throne at one
end. The ladies, dressed in black and
wearing black lace wells, and the gentle
men, arrayed in ordinary evening cos
tune, but all without gloves, were ranged
on seats along the wall, and during the
hour of waiting could beguile the time
by speculations upon the identity of the
various cardinals, priests and other
ecclesiastical officials, who from time to
time fitted by on their way to private
audience with the Pope.
The coming of the Pontif was an
nounced by the appearance at the door
of two Swiss Guards in the Papal uni
form of red and yellow, but otherwise
there was no pomp of preparation. Fol
lowing half dozen of military men and
dozen or so of eccesiastic officials
came Plus TX, dressed in a long white
gown bound around the waist by silk
en- sash trimmed with gold. On his
head he wore a white skull-cap. He
was introduced to his visitors by an Off
cial, and spoke few words to each.
To the group of Americans the Pope
showed especial attention. Placing his
hand on the head of little girl, who
was one of he party, the expressed his
pleasure at seeing strangers from such a
distance. There have been many
Americans here this season already,
said he, in excellent French. Your
country is now experiencing great suf.
fering through vast conhagrations.
don merely refer to the destruction OF
Chicago, but to the great fires IN the
woods beyond it. This is all very sad
but remember, we are all in the hands OF
God.
Crossing to the other side of the room
Plus TX proceeded to speak to three
ladies, who had placed themselves there
apart from the others. They all fell on
their knees, and one Of them grasping
the Pope's hand covered it with kisses,
while she anxiously poured forth some
hurried words as if asking favor which
to her was of the greatest Importance.
1t is etiquette not to reply to the re-
marks of the Pope at these receptions
unless he should make some direct ques-
ton, but this lady disregarded all rules
in the anxiety Of her appeal, and Plus
TX was obliged to cut her short by turn
ing to the assembled company, to whom
he gave in Italian the usual benediotion.
Almost all knelt at this moment, the car
dinals and priests setting the example.
Then, with a courteous inclination Of the
head, the Pope left the room, followed
by the clergy.
Plus TX is a very handsome old man,
with q manner at once shrewd and bland.
He appears to be in excellent health for
a person of his advanced years, and
though he had shuffling gait, inseper-
able, perhaps, from his rather ineonyen-
lent costume, there was nothing in his
actions to denote physical weakness or
anything approaching decrepitude. As
many stories have been lately circulated
about the feeble state of his health, it is
as well to remark here that he seems to
be, and most probably is, vigorous old
gentleman, likely to see still greater
length of days than he has already en-
joyed. His illusions TO the recent dis
asters in the United States (then fresh
news in Rome) show that he is kept well
informed on current topics.
The Americans here have informally
expressed their sympathy with the Chi
cago sufferers, by calling at the office Of
the United States Consul to gain inform
alton, and many of them have contribu-
ted to the relief fund. The artists and
sculptors studying in the French Acad-
emy, most of them young men Of limited
means, have sent contribution Of two
hundred francs to the fund. W. F.W.