The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-08
ANT0hElLl,
Our Special Interviews the
Papal Premier.
A CORDIAL GREETING.
How the Cardinal Looks.
Talks and Works.
HIS HOLINESS AND TIE GERALD.
The PontiHs Illness
Exaggerated.
PRAYER VERSUS PHYSIC.
He Enjoys the Press Bulletins and
Fools the Doctors.
A FREE TALK ABOUT CHURCH AND STATE.
No Papal Blessing OF the People In tho
Streets Of the Holy City While the Pom
tiff is n Prisoner Deprived Of
His Temperatures,
THE COMING CONCLAVE.
No Veto Of Political Potentates To Be Recs
Ognized by the Sacred College An
Italian Prelate the Probable
Future Pontiff.
ROME, May Is, 1873.

ROME May To- 1873.
II was few minutes before eleven when en-.
tered the Vatican My purpose was not indeed to
pay my respects TO the Holy Father, but to his
Minister OF state Cardinal Antoncll, who had
kindly consented to receive me, in my capacity az
correspondent OF the NEW YORK HERALD, and to
impart to me any Information desired on my part
for the bene6t OF American readers. His Eminence
had granted me an audience with cordallty
OF expression which had not anticipated, and
accounted for it only in the fact that the CARDINAL
had been made acquainted with the deep interest.
manifested by all classes OF people in the United
States in the health OF the Holy Father, and with
the special mission intrusred me OF obtain
ing in Rome correct information not only
true condition OF AFFAIRS in Italy in connections
with the Catholic Church. For while the Journals
OF Europe and or the States had been publish-
ing the most alarming accounts OF the P0pe's
health, gathered from various antclerical sourcesi
the HERALD mad been enabled to give the true
state or affairs, and to calm the anxiety OF many
millions OF people, VINO look to Rome and the
Vatican with deep general and personal interest.
Cardinal Antonelli had been made aware Of Theses
facts from various friendly quarters as / found
out subsequently, TO my great pleasure.
TIE VATICAN.
The Vatican is 10 most people in Rome a sealed
mystery. A stranger may thunder at the doors for
a week and not get admittance. At every turn
and step the intruder would be met
by the stalwart Swiss Guard, whose fidelity
In the service OF the Holy Father
leads them TO suspiciously prevent any
person from approaching the audience rooms Of
the palace without clerical guidance. These Curl
ously costumcd sentines OF the Vatican are, how.
ever in good odor with the Holy Father. He
knows that they are az true as steel, and would
give their lives in his defence il ever the need
came. Curously costumed they are. At first sight
their black and yellow dress appears more fitted
for a company OF clowns than OF guards; by and
by, however, you become aware OF the fact that
this glazing Of color no longer annoys you indeed,
when once the inner courts OF the palace are
reached, ana you enter the gilded, magnificent re-
ccptton rooms OF the Holy Father, you come to tha
conclusion that the costume does indeed harmos
nize with the surroundings and that their pres<
ence would in fact I've scarcely noticed in the
grand churchly ceremonies, or in a gathering OF
distinguished preates clad in their o1ical robes.
have heard nothing but praise from clerical lips
Of nte stsuch fidelity Of these ~
.s.ss-assl MEN or ras LAND or WILLIAM TELL
They are young, good looking, and some. appar.
emily, OF good education and manners, and are
like watchdogs when on duty. Just before tbs
audience room OF the Pope a sentinel was sta
toned, armed with haIberd, and the way he
paced up and down his post and the rapidty OF his
ey0lutions made me compare his movements to
the impatient pacing OF lion within the bounds
ofhis cage. There is q stock anecdote told by
persons connected with the vatican, to Illustrate
the aithfuness or these guards, that once upon Q.
time one or the Swiss was stationed at the en-
trance Of the apartments Of a Pope, whose name IS
not exactly known. He was charged 10 let NO
one pass. After being at his post for
some time venerable ngure approached
tempted to pass, but the guards battleaxo
barred the egress, and no expostulation on sno
part Of the Pope-for he It wss-could induce tho
sentry to open the way, until captain OF the
guard had been sent for to identity the Ponnn.
The story was not vouched for in all It's details BY
my clerical guide; bpl ikh chASaeteziauc, and may