Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-11-25

chapels, where he remains until 2 o'clock 10
alteration before the blessed sacrament. At 3
he dimes. The dinner consists Invariably OF
soup, fowl and boiled meat, which are served
up together With vegetables on large plate.
His Holiness rarely touches the meat or the
fowl but eats some Rcman trture, vegetables,
and fruits His train bearers and private Sec
retary, Monsignor Ciuni, assist at his meals.
In summer the Pope sleeps for about quarter
of an hour after dinner The rosary and brew
iary, which be says as strictly as does any
country pastor, then occupy the Pope. About
o'clock he takes his second walk; 10 winter
iu Raphaers loggie, and in summer in the gar
dens of his palace. Some brilliant wits have
yentured to say that the Pope is not prisoner
at all, aud that 20 one prevents his gong out.
1t is nevertheless true that Plus TX is
morally prisoner 10 the Vatican, and just as
much so as if tie were shut IN With bolts ana
bars, he could not leave his palace without ex-
citing demonstrations OF the most opposite
kinds, where the insults and the outcrles or the
freethiukers would respond to the transports OF
the faithful To illustrate the truth OF this as
serton we need only recall the scenes which oc.
Cured last May "a; when the mob thought 1t
perceived Pious TX. at one of the windows OF
the Vatcao. Tue alley of the garden which
couvolvulus, and bordered with fine orange
trees. He likes to sit at its furthest end upon
wooden bench placed under shadow OF
wcepinc willow, and near fountain popularity
known as that of Zitelli. Sometimes he stops
to feed his pigeons, which are contained 10 an
avIary and have feathers as white as his own
robe. When the weather is very warm Plus
TX chooses another alley equally we'll shaded
with orange trees, but OF other and thicker
growth.
At the end of this grove is miniature re-
production of the Grotto of Lourdes, with a
statue of the Virgin and Of the miraculous
fountain. Sometimes be pursues his walk
further into the garden amongst Its trees and
statues; but he never descends to the lawn al
though his gardener has zelously designed with
box plant the papal arms and the words Plo
Mono Poutfce massimo 10 gigantic letters upon
its center. Although be uses cane, Plus
TX, walks very firmly, although he is some
what bent He sometimes sits down, not to
rest himself, but to rest, as he himself says, the
legs of some of the old cardinals, who can scar
ceIy keep pace with him. The Holy Father
re-enters the palace With bis famlliars about
the hour when the "Angelus' rings, which he
rcctes aloud, aud afterwards says the DE
Profundis." Then the special audiences recon-
menCC until supper-tme
The Pontiicla supper is served at nine
o'clock, Immediately before the Pope goes to
bed. and is, If possible, more frugal than the
dipner. 1t consists of broth and of two boiled
potatoes seasoned with salt and some fruit. l
do not think there are many princes or com-
moner's who would relish such plain diet. HIS
Holiness goes to bed at teo, always unasslsted
by his attendants. The linen needed to bind
up a wound he has upon his leg is brought to
him, and he binds it 90 himself. Sometimes
during this operation his valet hears him sing
ing some hymn in an uodertoDe Every one
knows that Plus TX has charming voice, rich
and sonorous. HIS bed resembles collegiaD's
being made of iron, without curtains, aud has
only strip of carpet two feet long in front of 1t.
In this simple chamber the Holy Father takes
his well-earDed rest.
Plus TX, sleeps as quietly as child. His
health is extraordinary for his age Once
week his doctor and surgeon come to visit him
10 order to discharge their duty. He lets them
feel his pulse, and when they declare him to be
free from fever he gives them their cooge With
few kind words and pleasant jokes, such as
are natural to his gentle and anlabe character.
All kinds of trials have fallen upon the august
old man S shoulders without crushing him, and
without deriving him of his natural serenity.
| The bark of Peter is accustomed to encounter
storms, and floats in them as in its natural ele-
ment. If ever you visit the admirable library
of the Vatican you will see 10 one OF its show
cases little golden cross which was found 10
an arceut urn buried 10 the basca of San Lo-
repzo. This cross belonged to Plus TX, He
gave it to the library, and wrote under it these
words, which are resume Of all his life, and
will very aptly close this little chronicle: CTur
| est 1,itn men, lIors inimica tt6t