The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-08-25
An Actor Before the Pope.

Mr.. VIM. J. Florence and his wife were
among the passengers on the Bothnia which
arrived Wednesday from Liverpool. Mr..
Florence said to reporter last night
1--WE went from Nice to- Rome, where we
were very pleasantly received in private by
Pope Leo: On the occasion of our reception
we were first ushered into an anti-chamber,
where we were init duced to a number of
members of the papal household 1t this anti
chamber saw Chinese bishop and Chinese
priest. The former had been a Frenchman
once, but wore the Chinese pigtail and looked
Chinese all over. The priest was true Orlen-
tai, who gazed with awe and veneratiOn at his
surroundings In the next ante chamber Mgr.
Cataldi, master of ceremonies, made us known
to other members of the household, and after
progress through several rooms we were
ushered into the presence OF the Pope. hHe
was seated on a raised platform or throne IN,
the centre of the large room-or hall, rather.
Being an actor and having an eye for proper
ties, [ noted the dress of the holy father care
fully. He wore stockings Of white silk, white
shoes with golden crosses by the way of buck
les; long, white cassock of merino, bound
with silk of a pale rose color; cape that
reached below his elbows, which was,;tlso bOr-i
dered by rose-colored silk !; and a white silk,
skull cap, with rose-colored binding and a
jewel in front. A heavy chain, from Which
depended large cross set with diamonds and
rubies hung al round his neck. Upon his hands,
he wore mittins Of silk which reached to the
first joint of the fingers. He wore white
belt or sash around his waist When we were
ushered in we were told to remove our gloves,
and observed that before the presentation
took place the Pope took off his left mitten.
The presentation was made by Mgr. Catildi,
each of the party kneeing in turn and kissing
the episcopal ring which is worn on the Pope's
left hand. When the ceremony had been per-
formed, the Pope raised his hands as though
to help us to our feet, and then for the first
time | looked up into his face 1t was one OF
the best and kindliest faces | ever saw. There
was something SO fatherly, SO gentle and so
good in it that I shall never forget it while
live" i~@ sa.a
"Was this a strictly private audience =
Mot in the sense that you mean. When
we entered 1 saw about sixteen of the Guard
Nob1le-composed entirely Of the noblemen OF
Italy-in blue tunics and trousers and silver
helmets. At the door there was detachment
of the Swiss Guards in yellow and black
trunks and jackets, silver breastplates and
plumed helmets, bearing on their shoulders
their halberds or battle-aXes." - lt.f 11s
Did you have any conversation with the
Pope?"
ooh, yes-the ordinary reception talk. l
acted as interpreter. The Pope hrst asked me
in Italian whether spoke that language. l
told him that spoke Italian little, but that
l was more familiar with the French. Then
he began to talk French and welcomed us
most kindly to Rome. He asked particularly
about Mrs. Mackey, whom he had known, he
said, when she was member of the late house
hold of the late Pope. bespoke highly her
goodness and benevolence, which had reached
his ear, and mentioned particularly her care
for the Orphan Asylum at Virginia City. New.
He apparently heard of Mr.. Mackey's chart
ties, for he addressed him kindly and almost
Mr.. Mackey expressed his
qualification at meeting the head of the Church:
The Pope then mentioned my efforts in behalf
of St. Agnes Church in this city in compli-
manner and asked me my profession
When told him that was dramatic artist
he smiled, but said nothing. The Pope look
ed careworn, but said his health was always |
good. He said that work was pleasure to
him, and that his official duties often kept him
out of bed until 2 o'clock in the morning.
NJ Y Sum-