The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-04-28
Plus TX.
HOW HE APPEARED TO A REPORTERS ExEs-A
WRECK OF HIS FORMER SELF.
Rome Cor. N. Y. Herald

Rome Cor. N. Y. Herald
The general audiences at the Vatican are O
various classes public, semi-public or semi
private and private. The former are given il
one of the long loggie, the second in the hal
! of the Arazzi, Immediately adjoining tn
Throne Room The latter in his Holiness
private studio. The great public collects il
the loggia, while the members of nobility
distinguished persons and clericals, assembl,
in the room next to Hall of the Throne. II
the latter group the Holy Father gives pro-
portionately larger share of his time. HI
stops to talk Familiarity with the persons pre-
scented and listens patiently to all that is sale
to him. Then he passes slowly, followed by
Chamberlains and Cardinals and Noble
Guards, on through various rooms to the long
audience room, where he usually delivers q
brief address.
1t was my fortune to have place among
the more favored individuals assembled in the
hall adjoining the Hall Of the Throne, among
members of the Italian aristocracy, in plain
dress suits, and q few young Brothers of the
Order of st. Cammillus of Lellis. A slight
commotion in the Throne Room announced
that His Holiness had left his private apart
ment. First appeared two of the Noble Guard
in undress uniform, then Monsignori and
Cardinals, and in their midst the Holy Father,
all forming group of harmonious colors-
robes of red and dark purple and black, and
in the midst of the white robe of the head Of
the Catholic Church. The personages nearest
the Pope were Cardinals Patrizi and Mertel,
while Mgrs. Pacca and Calvaletti came in ad-
vance, the former to receive the pe,rnessos in
readiness to announce the names of the kneel-
ers to His Holiness.
Holding in his right hand and resting
s1xv III inn cfiol- fho
Pope approached the group of earnest young
priests, who had consecrated themselves to
the work of mercy of attending the sick in
the hospitals. The Holy Fathers features
frightened as he received their customary
salutation. He spoke few words to each
and then placed his hand upon the head of
each in his kind, fatherly manner, evincing in
4 striking manner the paternal feeling he en-
tertains toward all who consecrate themselves
10 works of charity and human welfare. I
had time to observe the Holy Fathers features
md general appearance before he approached
ne. I noticed that he walked heavily, shut
iingly. as old men do who have passed three
score years and ten; and, though could see
races of the early nobility OF carriage and
happy, bright dignity of feature, yet the form
before me was no longer that of a few years
'go.
The firm contour of face has been lost;
he features seem to hang heavily down, and
he old, bright, penetrative eye is dimmed
nd weakened. There is no concealing the
avages that old age and trouble and conflicts
nd disease have wrought upon this once
loble figure. would indeed gladly believe
hat His Holiness has yet ten years of life
nd usefulness before him; that he may yet
i've to see the final victory of the Catholic
;hurch over her enemies I cannot.
'ope Plus IX is but wreck of his former
elf, but magnificent wreck. nevertheless.
would be unjust to myself were to de-
cribe him not according to the impression
eft upon me in my brief interview. Some
az, and in all probability not long hence,
'ope Plus IN will take to his bed never more
, rise from it again. But God grant that
az may be still far away.