The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-05
POPE LEO AT HOME.
The Roman Pontiff in His Gardens About
the Vatican.
some Correspondents New York Sun.

lore the promenade the genOarmeS III az
tendance visit every corner and take their
posts No one is then allowed in the garden
but Cardinal Ledochowski and Cardinal
Jacobini, who live in the Vatican, and some
of the Popes household prelates. A tele-
phone runs from the wateh-tower OF the
gendarmes to the headquarters in the Vati-
can court of San Damaso, and from this last
place the order is sent to prepare the way for
the Pope.
In winter his Holiness goes to the garden
in the middle of the day. In full summer
he spends half an hour each morning in the
Garden della Pigna. In the afternoon he
goes out at about O'Clock, unless the
weather is unfavorahle. On Sunday he re-
ceives the visit of his own confessor, Fran
ciscan monk and penitent of ST. john OF
Lateran, and does not visit the garden This
monk now resides In the Vatican. He hears
confessions in the Basilica once week.
Leo XIII starts for the garden in the
afternoon seated in sedan chair. The
red -clothed bearers carry him through
the balconies and the gallery of stat
ues near the entrance to the great
library. The chair is carried by two
bearers. The Pope's pale face and white fig
ire with raised hand behind the glass, con-
-asts strongly with the red-faced and red
clothed muscular boys who surround the
vehicle. Two noble guards. the ajutante di
camera or Pope's waiter and footnan car
rying the red hat and cloak for use during
the promenade, while resting on some OF
the chairs or benches, come next. Two more
Swiss guards bring up the rear. The small
procession has a solemn effect when it crosses
the gallery of statues, or the Garden della
Pigna. The solitude calls back those memoir
able DAYS when the whole city of Rome was
out to see the Pontiff King on the Pincio,
ba of all Carl
were ready to honor him in the crowded
squares of the Eternal City
At the atrium which gives access to the
gallery and to the garden the little cortege
halts. One of the noble guards opens the
door of the sedan, and the Pope comes out.
The door of the garden is wide open.
very modest carriage. with a light frame of
brass, is in waiting Two horses are attached
TO it. When the weather is fine Leo XIII
walks up the hill When tired, or when it
Is not pleasant he uses the carriage, The
noble guard opens the door, and kneeling
on one knee. waits until the Pope and his
attendant are seated Then mounted guard
surrounds the carriage, and it rolls on, fol-
lowed by the two noble guards on horseback.
One of the noble guards and the Swiss re-
main at the gate guard until the
promenade ends Leo XIII always walks
in fair weather. He is great walker lie
sEays his shoulders like Yorkshireman. In
his youth he was a great hunter. Many
the crack of his rifle He first enters the Via
della Ztela, or Road of the Girl so named
from fountain of excellent water called the
ZitelIa. This SPOT was frequented by Plus
TX Here he was wont to take his daily
walk surrounded by numerous prelates, who
were frequently the subjects of his tests.
The present Pope admires the beautiful
lemon and orange trees. The walk is orna-
mented by plot of ground which contains
the words: LEO XIII. Point. Max and the
81 off III 70 mil loiA Ia.
flowers and trimmed with box.
The first iron gate leads to the orange or
pineapple dollhouse and to the Galera Gar
den This is so-called from a bronze galley
which floats or a lake. In former days it
was one of the water toys for which the
Vatican and Quirnal gardens were noted.
At given signal the guns of the galley fired
streams of water, the bell rung, the sailor
blew his horn, and many other tricks were
played. The Pope seldom goes that way. He
generally enters tine macchia the park by
the third iron gate. To the left, as soon as
YOU enter, is a fac-simile of the grotto of
Lourdes presented to the late Pope. A foun-
tain of water gushes from the ground.
lamp is kept constantly burning before, the
Immaculate Conception. A rustic prie-deu
is there and visitors to the garden usually
leave their cards on one side, after reciting
short prayer before the little sanctuary.
More than once his holiness has been seen
kneeliug before the little shrine.
Vatican begin the new road made by order
of Leo VIII. 1t is about three kilometers
long and it gives him the opportunity of
little drive, ii he desires. This new road,
called Leonina, is lined with roses mulberry
trees and fine aioes, which grow among the
huge rocks lining the walls On going up
yon meet on the right the
favorite rocslo, or hill, where
the October hunt is made. Last year the
game was abundant. More than three
!. xx.hxk
road Is cut along the walls of the city. The
occupants of carriages going around the walls
of Rome could easily see the pOntifieial party
while on that side OF the garden, were it not
that Leo XIII has raised the parapet
When the carriage arrives on the top OF
the hill, the Holy Father gets out The
upper part of the garden has been lately
transformed into fine vineyard. The vines
have been planted according to the French
system Instead of flowers or barren exotic
plants Leo XIII has ordered olive trees put
all around that sunny spot. The grapes are
growing splendidly. The wine and oil made
from the crops of the Vatican garden are
exquisite. It is in his favorite vineyard
that Leo XIII likes to walk. Protected
bv the huge walls, fine graveled roads
have been laid out for him and lined by
gum trees. Iron chairs await there the ven
cradle representative of the master of tine
vineyard. The cold northern winds are shut
out. At the foot of a big tower there is a
small chalet with couple OF chairs and
table. This is smaller than the Chinese cot
tage made out of bark in the first year of the
pontficate of Leo. The latter cottage has
been completely abandoned because its
situation is dominated by Messrs. Nannutelli,
brickmakers.
The park built by Gregory XVI is neg
1ected. and so are the magnificent fountains
and lakes made by Paul V and Plus vi.
There is no money, and the Peters pence are
getting less every day. 1t would be great
act of charity if some wealthy Catholic mil
lionaire would invest few thousand dollars
in draining and restoring to its native state
and beauty the garden of the august prisoner