The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-01-26

From the London Figaro.
A SOLDIER, A PRELATE, AND A KING.

NoNo-1NrEREsrING "REMINISCENCES OF
THE GREAT PoNTIFF.
Towards the end of the 18th century
a comb-maker, Alberto Mastai, of Bres
cia. with whom the world did not &c
we'll, went to live at Sinigaglia. For
tune smiled on him in his new home
the comb-maker fourished and became
so rich that he obtained the hand of q
young lady of fortune, named Ferretti
and at the same time the rank of Count
Such is the origin of the house of Mas
,tai-Ferretti. Girolami Mastai-Ferretti
descended from the latter, married a
daughter Of Count Salazzi, and the is.
sue of this marriage is Gian-Maria
Mastai, born in 1892, now Plus TX.
From his infancy he seems to have
been weak, subject to epileptic fits, and
difficult to manage. When a boy, he
was sent to the college at Volterra,
presided over by learned astronomer,
Inghirama; but his chronic indisposi-
ton did not permit him to derive much
advantage from that seat of learning.
On returning home, however, his health
greatly improved, and, growing strong
er, he manifested keen desire to enter
the army. To fit himself for this pro-
fession, he devoted much time to ath-
letic exercises, and soon became re-
markable for his military bearing
Those familiar with an appearance
of Plus TX, as seen in st. Peters, or
the Sistine, will scarcely be prepared
to hear that in youth he was noted for
his dandy dress, appearing always in a
semi-military uniform, wearing boots
and spurs, and seldom seen without a
cigar in his mouth. Being very hand
some withal, tolerable poet, and good
musician, he soon became an object of
admiration to many, and of affection to
some, girls; but, although more than
one loved him, he aimed high, and
sought the hand of Elena, daughter of
Prince Albani. This lady, who is said
to have been extremely beautiful, at
first encouraged young Mastai, but
eventually married the Colonel of a reg
iment quartered at Sinigaglia, whom
she was in the habit of meeting fire.
quently at the reunion in her fathers
house. The disappointment was so Sc
verely felt by young Clan, that to allie
viate his misery he plunged into dissi-
patton, drank freely, and gambled reck-
lessly. About this iuncture Napoleon's
career had terminated. Plus VII. re-
turned to Rome, and public affairs be-
gan to assume tranquil phase. Ac-
cordingly, young Mastai, who led an
unsettled life, was sent to Rome, where
two of his uncles resided, who, it was
believed, were in a position to be off ,
service to him, >
Arrived in the capital, he engaged :
very humble apartment, his allowance
being only few pounds month. But !
nevertheless, SO fascinating were his
manners, and SO handsome his person, ,
that ne soon became one of the most r
fashionable young men in Rome, and '
was constant visitor in the palaces of
the highest mobiles in that city. A sue
cessful player at the card-table, his ,
winnings enabled him to live in man. :
ner that made him the envy of less for. ,
tunate youths, and led to love adyen-
lures not yet entirely forgotten in the ,
city of Rome.
But, though young Mastai was we'll !;
pleased with the life he was leading, it +
was far from satisfying his parents, ,
who naturally desired to see their son
established in some honorable profess
'ion. Accordingly, as the military spirit :
stlll burned strongly in the bosom of =
dlan- Maria, an attempt was made to p
satisfy 1t, to some extent, at least, by|
placing him in the Guardia Mobile :
established Immediately after the Con. \
sress OF Vienna. His interest " as suf =
lclently great to cause him to be en- 3
oiled as a candidate for admission to q
ne corps, but a representation having !
oeen made to the Secretary of State 2
nat ne was once subject to epileptic T
it's, his name was removed from the :,
list of candidates; and he was advised ;,
nat ne must not hope to be Guardia :, ~
Mobile. The intelligence overwhelmed J
nm with sorrow; his spirits became =
depressed; a dangerous illness super :
,ened, on his recovery from which -
Tue, as his biographers declare, to the a a
ntercession Of the Blessed Virgin-be IL