Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-11-26

to his use. Formerly Plus TX. used
only to drink common white wine, and
he had reached his eightietk year be-
fore he could be induced to drink Bor-
deaux or Capri Men only are permit
ted to enter the Pope's apartments
When an audience is over the Sovereign
Pontiff rings bell placed on a table,
and another person is admitted by the
prelate who is on duty that day. At
about l2 or f2.30, when the Pope
leayee his chamber to walk in the gar
ld6uizo - -vartican or in the library, or
ls fnap ps Ia Hnphaers-siaHse and loggie;
on his passage he sometimes meets a
number of families. deputations, and
persons who are received in public au-
diences. He blesses their medals, ro-
saries and the crosses which they bring
in abundance. He exchanges a few
words with them, and listens to their
questions, and often pronounces short
allocution. At l.S0 the Pope returns
from his walk. He dismisses his court,
and re-entcrs one of his chapels, where
he remains until 2 o'clock in alteration
before the blessed sacrament. At be
dimes. The dinner consists invaribly of
soup, fowl, and boiled meats, which are
served up together with vegetables on
a large plate. His Holiness rarely
touches the meat or the fowl, but eats
some Roman yJriture, vegetables, and
fruits. His train bearer and private
secretary, Monsignor Cinui, assist at his
meals.
I'm summer the Pope sleeps for about
a quarter of an hour after dinner The
rosary and breviary, which he says as
strictly as does any country pastor. then
occupy the Pope. About o'clock he
takes his second walk; in winter in Ra-
phaers logg;e, and in the summer in the
gardens of his palace. Some brilliant
wits have ventured to say that the Pope
is not a prisoner at all, and that no one
prevents his going out. 1t is, never
theless, true that Plus TX. is morally
prisoner in the Vatican, and Just rs
much so as if he were sAEt y. with bolts
and bars; he could not leave his palace
without exciting demonstrations Of the
most opposite kinds, where the insults
and the outcries of the frerthinkers
would respond to the transports of the
faithful To illustrate the truth of this
assertion We need only recall the scenes
which occurred last May 24th. when
the mob thought it perceived Plus TX.
at one of the windows of the Vatican.
The alley of the garden which the Holy
Father prefers. is one covered with con-
volvulus. and bordered with fine orange
trees He likes to SIT at is furtherest
end upon a wooden bench placed under
a shadow of weeping willow. and Lear
a fountain popularity known as that of
Zitelli. Some times be stops to feed
his pigeons. which are contained in an
aviary, and have feathers as white as
his own robe. When the weather is
very warm Plus TX. chooses another al
lev equally well shaded with orange
trees, but Of other and thicker growth
A, the end Of this grove is a miniature
reproduction cf the Gcotto OF Loucdes,
with statue of the Virgin and of the
miraculous fountain. Sometimes lie
pursues his walk further into the gar
den amongst the trees and statues: bat
he never descends to the lawn although
his gardener has zealouslv desig,iedwith
box plant the papal arms and the words
Pho Mono, Pontifce massimo in gigantic
letters upon its centre. Although be
uses a cane, Plus IX. walks very firmly,
although he is somewhat bent. He
sometimes sits down, not to rest HIM
self, but to rest. as he himself saws, the
legs of some of the old cardinals, who
can scarcely keep pace with him. The
Holy Father re-entcrs the palace with
his fami.iars about the hour when the
"Angclus" rings, which herecitcs aloud,
aud afterwards saystLe De Profuudis.
Then the sIecialau u1iences recommence
until supIer-time. Ike PoLtitical sup
per is served at nine O'Clock, immcli-
ately before the Pope gees to bed. and
is. if possibl.', more frugal than the din
ner. 1t consists of broth and two boiled
potatoes seasoned with salt and som.
fruit DO not think there are MANY
princes or commoners who would relish
such plain diet His Holiness goes t.
! bed 1T ten. ALWAYS unassis;ed hy his at
tendauts. The linen needed to bind W.
n wound he has upon his leg is brought
/ to him. and be binds it on himself
Sometimes during this operation his
valet hears him singing some HYMN IL
an undcrtone. Every one knows that
Plus IN. has q charming voice. rich ard
sonorous. His bed resembles n cole
gian's, being made Of iron, without
curtains. and has only a strip OF carpet
two feet long IN front of it. In this
simple chamber the Holy Father takes
his well earned rest. Plus TX. sleeps
as quietly as a child. His health is ex-
traordinary for his age. Once q week
his doctor and surgeon come to visit
him in 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 Gorge with few
kind words and pleasant jokes, such as
are natural to his gentle and amiab.e
character. All kinds of trials have fal-
len upon the august old mans shoul-
ders without crushing him, and without
depriving him of his natural serenity
The bark of Peter is accustomed to en.
counter storms, and ficats In them as
in its natural element. Ii ever YOU Wis.
it the admirable library OF the Vatican
you will see in one of its showcases a
little golden cross, which was found IN
an ancient urn buried in the basilica Of
San Lorenzo. This cross belonged to
Plus TX. He gave it to the library
and wrote under il these words, which