The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-11-21

and this impression remains with you as
long as you are in his presence, devoid of
restraint or the least embarrassment. /
speak as Protestant, not as Catholic.
The Pope is not tall, being five feet six
or seven inches in height. His features
are regular, face fine oval, complexion
clear as alabaster, and the expression the
serenity Of Heaven itself; and yet sin
cere smile is ever playing around the
mouth, with an evidence Of quaint humor
about it, which would betoken fondness
for good joke.
He was dressed entirely in white, the
material apparently Of cashmere the robe
reached down to the ankles, with white
belt at the waist, and on his head he wore
skull car. He leaned easily on double
crooked old-fashioned cane, STOPPING a
little, but walked around without assist
ance, and, for an old gentleman upwards
Of eighty-two years of age and recently
recovered from spell of sickness, was
remarkably vigorous.
As he entered, all the Catholics at once
deyoutly knelt and crossed their hands,
and, on the principle that when in Rome
do as the Romans do, our party all inyoIuu-
tarily knelt also.
One Of the Cardinals motioned to the
guests to rise, and the Pope, stepping
briskly to the centre of the room, address
sed the company collectively IN familiar
strain, in French, to bid them welcome,
just as q gentleman would approach his
visitors in his own parlors. Then walking
to one end of the saloon, preceded by the
chamberlain, who took our names and
residences, and followed by part Of the
suite, the Pope addressed each one person
ally, repeating the name given him and
extending his right hand, on the first fn-
ger Of which he wore large ring, with a
magnificent topaz setting. Each person
revercntly kissed it, in a kneeling attitude,
whilst the devout Catholics kissed the hem
of his garment, or his knee--and in some
instances the toe Of his slippers, sure
enough He addressed few words to
each one, and in some instances conversed
freely for two or three minutes. When il
came round to our turn, we spoke of New
Orleans; the long distance we were from
home of Archbishop Perche, whom we
had known, and Of his visit 10 the Ecu
menical Council, and received most friend
ly replies.
After going entirely round, the Pope
placed himself in the centre of the saloon,
aud in loud voice again welcomed the
visitors, stating that such as desired TO
have rosaries, books, medals, crosses,
scapulas, and all other articles, blessed, to
draw near to him.
We were loaded down with beads,
books, medals, and last, though not least,
with bottle Of holy water, upon all Of
which His Holiness gave his special ben
ediction.
These were as souvenirs for our Catho-
lie friends at home. Our holy water we
divided into dozen small vials, sealed and
labeled, "Holy water from the font of St.
Peters and especially blessed by the
Pope" None of the far more valuable
presents We brought home were more
highly appreciated by deyout Catholics
than this sancti6ed though triAing memo
rial from the hands of the Pope himself.
This closed the ceremony, and, leaving
by the same door through which they had
entered, the pope was conducted by his
retinue to his private apartment, when we
met him on the way as we emerged from
the Vatican, and jumped into the carriage
to ruminate upon one Of the events Of our
lives as We sped through the streets of
Rome back to our hotel.