The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-23
POPE LEO XIII.
How ne Locks and Talks in Contrast
with Plus HX.


with Plus HX.
The Rome correspondent of the Boston Pilot,
p. L. Comedian, gives the following graphic
description of Pope Leo XIII as ne appeared
during the audience OF the Irish College. Alta
quarter to the door leading to the POntiical
apartments was opened, and shortly after
: eight noble guards, with high helmets, blue
coats and gold belts and draw swords, entered
the hall, and Immediately following them came
the Sovereign Pontiff, tn white soutane and
white silk cOlotte, or little skull cap, accom-
panied by Mgr. Macchi, and another chamber
lain, who carried the Pontiff's wide-rimmed red
hat and scarlet cloak. His pace was very rapid
as he walked from the door OF the hall to the
throne; his step was quick and short. He Is
thin, even to meagerness and tall. The
fingers of his hands are almost fieshless, and
the whole figure, and the outlines Of the face
ascetic to degree. He is In appearance not
unlike what Cardinal Manning was few
years ago, when his activity was greater
than it ID to-day. AS he sits listening to the
lengthy address read to him by Cardinal
Cullen, bis right hand, tremulous with nerv-
BUSINESS, Is employed in buttoning his SOU
tame, and his fingers shake, and one might
say tumble, from very nervousness, around
the buttons. AS the address continues he
looks from the Cardinal to the crowd as
sembled before him, and back again to the
Cardinal, In quick, nervous way. A few
minutes OF stiffness succeed, during which
hegrasps the arms Of the throne tightly with
his nervous hands, as though to keep him
self still Then his knees begin to
tremble as with nervous force over which
he has no control. A little child, fat and
chubby, breaks in on the Cardinals reading
with what might be regarded as a remon-
.strating cry, and the Pontiff turns to Mgr.
Macchi and smilingly addresses him, as II
commenting on the interruption. The Cardi-
nal has at length concluded; Mgr Kirby
presents the gifts e10O0 sterling, G800 being
contributed from the diocese OF Lismore,
through the Bisop, DR.. Conaty, and the re-
mainder contributed here. The Pontiff rises
suddenly to his feet, and-rare eyent-ad-
voice Is very impressive, aud what he says
seems to be the immediate thoughts arising
in his heart You would say that he was
thinking aloud. His tone Is somewhat nasal,
but clear and ringing; not robust and
round like that Of Plus TX, but
thrilling and penetrating, very like to Cardi-
nal Manning's, except that it is stronger. His
accent is not at all Roman, and although he
was educated here, he has, from his long resi-
dence in Perugia and much intercourse with
the Perugians acquired the accent of Perugia.
His sentences are generally long, and you are
forced to admire how happily he keeps the
master-thought that runs through what he
says constantly in view.
The people now gather closer around the
throne. The presentation of each one to his
holiness now begins, the ladies being, of
course, presented first. The little chubby
child who. interrupted the address
is. brought before the, PontiG, at
whom he stares with half-frightened,
half-wondering look in his large blue
eyes. The Holy Father affectionately places
his hands upon the child's head. and after
blessing hini in the most gracious manner,
the little fellow Is carried away as sur
prised and Hooking as ever. Here is
Father Mullooly, of St Clements, just be-
fore me, and when the Pope hears his name
he most kindly says: "We are most happy to
see Father Mullooly, of St Clements, of
whom we have heard SO many praises and
encomiums." Here 1t was that / was best
enabled to see his countenance. A noble head,
crowned with snow-white hair, high, wide
forehead, not smooth and shining, but rough
with bumps which would delight the heart OF
phrenologist; eyebrows bushy and over
hanging, edeep-set, kindly and keenly intelli-
gent eyes; q large very Arge nose, thin and
white; wide mouth, which lends itself most
readily to a very attractive smile, deep,
straight lines bounding 1t, and a good,
clear, pointed chin, with well-defined,
firm jaw, constitute the principal fea-
the eountenance expressive in the highest
degree OF Leo XIII. AS you approach him,
and kiss the embroidered cross upon his slip
per, and the ring almost slipping from his
bony finger, kindly interest lights up his
eyes as he hears who you are, what your oc-
Cupation is, and how long you have been in
Rome. Unlike Plus TX In person he
Is no less like him in many other respects.
Plus TX was an orator by nature, and was
probably the most naturally eloquent speaker
of his day; Leo XIII Is more Of a writer and
less OF an orator; appeals less to the emotions
tinguished for his thorough good nature and
genuine kind-heartedness; Leo XIII Is re-
markable for his kindly and courteous man
ners his gracious speech, and the affectionate
interest he takes In those with whom he comes
IN contact.
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