The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-08
have taken place at some time. Such stories are
like the legends OF other days. that cling to palaces
and faithful servants-to kings popes, heroes and
Uoda alike


like the legends OF other days. that cling to palaces
and faithful servants-to kings, popes, heroes and
gods alike.
AGED CARDINALS.
To reach the Cardinals rooms is not difficult, II,
as said, you have clerical escort; otherwise you
are liable TO be stopped and your permit exam
ined at every step, from the entrance to the high
inner court up to the sentlnels at the audience
door OF the Papal Minister OF State whose apart
ments are in the upper story OF the palace.
The high nights OF marble starways which
we pass possess one advantage-of being very
easy OF ascent; for the architect OF the Vatican
was apparently fully imbued with the necessity OF
building palace for old men. Popes, cardinals
and the great dignitaries OF We Catholic Church
are all aged. or cardinals there are nearly score
who have passed the age generally assumed to be
allotted to man. Cardinal Billet who died re-
Gently, was ninety; De Angels is eighty -one
Carerini is seventy-eight Amat, Grassellini and
Matthew seventy-sx; Patrizi is seventy.nve;
twenty-five others range between the ages OF
sevcnty-two and seventy-four, and Cardinal Anto-
Delli has himself reached the ripe age ofseventy hve
amid all his onerous duties In the State affairs OF
the Church. The Pope himself has just completed
his eightyfrst year, but he Is now too weak to at
tempt even the hight OF stairs leading down to his
private garden; for whenever he is taken out to
enjoy the sun he is lowered from one OF the win
dows, seated in his chair, and in the same manner
drawn up again after he has inspired sufficient
fresh air.
CARDINAL ANToNELLI.
At last the guardroom OF the Cardinals audience
chamber is reached, and some dozen Italian guards
attached to the Vatican rise and greet in
sem-military fashion on noticing the dress worn
by my companion. Passing through a doorway,
the small ante-chamber is reached, and servant
takes in our cards to His Eminence. A moment
afterwards and the usher returns to inform that
the Cardinal awaits u.s. My clerical guide, taking
the lead enters, and approaches the venerable
figure which has risen from seat at large table
in the centre OF the room, and, falling upon one
knee. kisses His Eminence's left hand. The Car
dina holds out his hand to bid me welcome,
whereupon am introduced and both motioned to
seats The impression created by the person and
ViSdBe Ol tdrdlna AntOnell was 10 me very pleas
ing. M Imagination, fed from various sources,
had led me to expect in the Cardinal sharp, keen
face, in which the Jesuit could be very distinctly
traced. The Cardinal u.s. however, man of very
different type from what he is usually described.
His high brow, his head covered with jet black
hair, and his well defined features, all show traces
OF the handsome prelate of former years, while age
has cas-. serenity and amiablity over his whole
expression well suited to the black robes OF
the ecclesiastical dignity which he wears.
Nevertheless the strong jaw. the firmly closed lips
evince the determined will OF which the Cardinal
is known to be possessed. The Cardinals office OF
State is very plain, being devoid of all ornament
or luxury. The room is long and narrow, and
rather goomily lighted and the only article OF
furniture the large, long green centre table, COW
cred with documents OF all kinds-berore which
His Eminence again took his place-and the only
piece OF ornament, black ebony case containing
ancient coins and articles of Roman antiquity.
THE HEALTH OF THE HOLY FATHER.
The conversation was, OF course opened with
that subject of allabsorbng interest in the cer
Pope, whose birthday the Catholic world was at
that moment celebrating. Ills Eminence was sur
prised and pleased, think, to see IN some num-
bers of the NEW YORK HERALD which took with
me evidence OF the deep interest that America
takes in the Holy Fathers health, and he smiled
with grim smile on being informed, however,
that one New York journal, possessed OF some rep
utation, had printed ''cabe DESPATCH via
Canada, to the effect that the Pope had been
called to his long account on the 10Th of April.
Said the Cardinal, THAT is not so bad as own
Roman papers can do One sheet has had the
news of the Holy Fathers death many times al
ready, and every day it now publishes the most alb
surd accounts OF his illness possible to conceive.
There is no disease in the whole list OF morta
maladies which it has not credited His Holiness
with suffering lrom.n
"Butn said !, 1T is true, Is it not, Eminence
that the Holy Father has been seriously i'll ~
s'You must always remember" replied the Cardi.
nal "hat the Holy Father Is Just entering upon his
eighty-second year. and that you cannot expect
man so aged to bear up under disease and arliction
co wen 40 VIC youueCl. iic Has Hdh luuCtu al
acute attack OF rheumatism, but he has been spared
fever, and though the pains have at times pre-
vented him from taking bodily exercise, he
has never, during the entire period, interrupted
his ordinary manner of living, and has maintained
throughout his customary good spirits. He has |
been, nevertheless, considerably weakened by hav. ,
ing to keep his bed. A few days ago. however, !
after giving audience to the pilgrims from France
ne was incautious and took fresh cold, which :
brought on slight relapse. He has constantly at
fnn tadt do ton unh d,irn La Un atatn