New-York tribune., 1886-05-30
LIFE AT THE VATICAN.
LEO XIII. AND HIS CHIEF MINISTERS-A
JOLLY LITTLE CARDINAL.

81. refers iate at nlgnb WILL Oh raSlnB MS eyes I,
the second story of the Vatican, perceive a lamp
burning IN ono of tho windows II is visible from
almost every spot in Rome, and can be seen by King
Humbert at the Quirlnal as we'll as by the people
enjoying the cool of the evening on tho Pncio. The
window in question is that of the Pope's private
sittngroom, and the solitary light burning shows
that he is either working or engaged in prayer.
The ovcrtnrcs now being made toward n mutually
advantageous reconciliation with the Q1irlna tho
diplomacy displayed in arbitrating the Hispaao-
German difficulties, the clever manner in
which he has won tho warm friendship and
appreciation Of Prince Bismarck, aud the broad
craftsmanship which he has shown in establishing
direct diplomatic relations with empires in the far
East such as China and Japan, all tend to render
Leo Kill one of the most interesting characters OF
tho present century. Were anything further re-
quired to increase the admiration which he inspires,
it would be the fact that he is striving to render
Catholicism synonymous with liberal notions. Amy
details therefore, concerning his person. his char
acter and his mode of life IN the Vatican must be
Of exceptional interest
NJ des Houx, who for the space Of five years ed
tied the Journal dc Rome the official organ OF the
Vatican and who was curty dismis sed the other
day for having ventured todisapDrove of the Popes
liberal tendencies, has just published volume OF
souvenirs. As he had daily opportunities OF seeing
tho Holy Father and exceptional advantages for
examining tho interior working Of thatimarvellous
beehive the Vatican, his book is well worthy of no.
tce. Some Of the facts and Impressions which fol-
low are derived from that source.
Unlike his predecessor Leo XIII. has great pre-
dilection for those grand displays OF pomp and
ceremony which are nowhere seen to such advant-
age rs at the Papal Court. Every day when he
- Not;oa narIa hta
noble guards and his chamberans attend him on
horseback and the cortege is quito large onc
The greatest soemnity of the year, however is the
anniversary of his succession. 1t is the only day
on which the Pope appears wearing the tiara or
triple crown. The latter. however. is not very be-
coming for his face IS too thin and delicate for
such heavy and majestic hcadgear. On this occa-
sion every body appears grdRde teaue. After all
the imposing rctInue of priests, bishops and cardi-
nas the Pope appears borne aost on his sea gestG-
toa by eight footmen dressed from head to foot IN
scarlet. -Four captains of the Swiss Gnard, each
bearing a great two handed sword of state, aud
representing the four Cantons Of switzerland which
have the privilege of furnishing recruits for the
Papal Guard. stride alongside of the palanquin,
whilst the faboib, those immense fans of white
ostrich pIumes are gently waved backward and for
ward on either side of Ills Holiness.
The private audiences are generally granted be-
tween the hours Of ~ and o'clock. The prelates
of the household and the chamDerlalns receive the
visitor most kindly In the great antechamber As
soon as the Pope is at liberty Mons gnor Macchl
opens the door and announces tic visitor. Entering
the room the Pope is found seated IN an arm char
and as soon as he raises his hand IN act of benedc
tion the visitor fails on his knees once near the
door the second time IN the middle OF the room,
and the third time Immediately III front or the
HOLY Father, who extends his foot for
the visitor to kiss the gold cross which Is emprold
cred on his white slipper After subsequently,
kissing the superb sapphire wlch forns ms pas
toral ring the visitor rises AMI remains standing
during the interview. The Pop" himself generally
likewise rises and leans against large table which
constitutes almost the sole furniture OF this apart
ment, Only the cardinals are allowed to SIT i'll mis-
presence on two stools which are placed on either
side of his armchair for the purpose. The Pope
always begins the eonyersatlon ne taiks
much and at great length. lie seems to listen To
the sound of his own voice, and his conversBtloE
which becomes animated, frequently struck he As
being remarkable for picturesque eioquence w lch
he is careful to avoid in his public speeches When
he motions that the audience IS at an en the SLIP
per and the ring again kissed whilst lie is III the
act of pronouncng the bencdicton. and then one has
TO back out, making the same three genutexlons as
on entering. Frequently tho Pope starts OH on
fresh subject whilst the visitor Is IN the act OF KISS
ing his slipper on departure, and appears 10 remain
obyiOus of the fact that the latter has to remain
kneeiing the whole tIme
He has the mcstinhexlblc character, and it sonly
those personal adheIents VINO have followed llm
from his former Archbishopric of PerugIa who are
able to get him to change his mind. OtnerwlSe ne
does not admit much contradiction. lie does his
best. however to display paternai beneyolence to
every one. to charm those present by
regal courtesy and to hide his frequently sIrong
prejudIces under an appearance or q
supreme love of justice. Ills great object
the glorious reign of Pope Clement XIV, namely
to place the Church on friendly terms with all
governments. be they Catholic. Protestant or
heathen, and obtain from every one of them, no
matter whether mOnarchcal or republican, all pos
81 ble advantages for the Church. His aim is to
persuade rulers of nations that Catholicism is a
powerful factor In securing 10 them the affections
of their subjects and that not only can the Church
help them III appeaslng internal dlfiicultles. but
that its assistance is inval aluabe III calming those
revolutionary passions which are menacihg the
very existence of every State, no matter what the
form of government
The Cardinal Secretary of State Ludovico
Jacobnl, Is far from possessing the great influence
which his high office would Indicate The
two moving sp rits at tho Vatican are. his own
gdlat, MCqsEnor GaIimDert and above all
secretary and auditor of His Holiness. Cardinal
Jacobni is jolly little fat man with most rubi
cund conntenance, always smiling and good tenn
pered, and who gives excellent dinners. lie was
formerly Nunco at Vienna. He owns immense
viney ards at Genzano, and most of the wine drunk
by the lower orders in Rome is made his estate.
The dIplonatlsts, however much they like him, |
never attempt u treat serious matter with him,
but go to Galmberti or Boccalll. The German Am |
bassador. when he began the negotiations yh.ch
have just terminated in a complete reconciliation |
between his Government and the Holy see, de- |
SPARED of ever arriving at any definite conclusion
with this most charming of bon vivants, and ut |
eneth implored the Pope to nominate some repre- !
sentative whose theology was little sOunder than
hat of the Cardinal, with whom he might negot-
,te.
As stated, the most powerful of all the inmates |
# the Vatican IS MonsgnOr BOccalI, who Is sad to
De the only person who knows how to manage the |
Holy Father. Everybody in III c Palace from
ardna down to the latest recruit IN the swiss |
Guard trembIes before the meek and gentle-looking
,reldte who remained with his master during all
he latteTs long, weary years of quas-eXie at |
'erugia. Judging HIM by his appearance one !
# ouu hnm,i;ty and Le acuav seems To- imnlore
mes pardon for presumlng to exist IN this world |
t is just this excessive modesty which renders him |
% powerful, for 1t disarms any dislike and suspicion
Which man of autOcratic nature /
Is the Pope would Immediately feel toward |
my one having an appearance OF greater lnde-
nj u