The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-05
THE POPE'S LITERARY WORK.
Bishop Chatard's Address at the Leonine
Unions Jubilee Celebration Last Evening.

Last evening the parlors of the Leonine Union
were beautifully decorated with bunting and
evergreen and filed with members of the club
and their special friends. The occasion Of
the gathering was the celebration by the
Union of the Golden Jubilee of Pope
Leo Kill The exercises opened with the
Jubilee Hymn to Leo KILL" rendered by St
Johns choir. after which there address
by Bishop Chatard on .'The Literary Labors of
the Holy Father" In speaking of the Pope's
writings, of which several selections were read.
the Bishop said "a literary of note, a
modern culture the Pope most certainly is. and
the lustre OF his varied learning and polished
style shines out even in the midst Of the halo of
his tr;ply crowned head. Italy is the land of
culture. From the days ct Politiam down to
the present epoch, with varied excellence or
changing taste, Ansonia has never failed to pro-
duce writer's whose works were admired by the
world. Foremost among the defenders Of tho
right and asserters of the truth in Italy, has
been Joacchimo Pecci, with his gifted mind and
his polished pen. Among his powerful writings,
given to the world before he assembled the Pom
tifcal throne, is able plea for the temporal
power Of the Pope I read IL ten years ago. and
it has remained on my mind as one of the
strongest papers on the subject that have
ever read. Naturally, in the position IN which
the sovereign Pontiff is as teacher and director
of the actions of those over whom he presides,
his style becomes largely didactic There is lit
tie room for play of imagination at beauties of
description. which SO attract the attention and
please the fancy. But Leo XIII knows how to
Intervene from time to time the flowers of
rhetoric to relieve the ground of too great
severity, and to give his words more grace and
to make them more acceptable. Leo is master
of style. the principal Qualities of which are
clearness, force, simplicity and evidentness of
meaning. The ornaments he uses are never
stilted, but spring up from among the grave
words of his theme like Alpine flowers on the
rugged heights. 1t ID not because he is lacking
in imagery that his writings are not moro re-
plete with igurative language, for he is a poet
also. and of no mean capacity. Lately an edition
OF his poems has been published in Latin, as are
all his writings, except those in Italian Among
his poems may be mentioned The Repulse Of
Vice. To Nicholas Pompiius,' and Gertrude
attests the scholarship of the Pope. They are
hexameter. and others recall the Carmen Saeeu-
lars of Horace The bishop also spoke of the
Pope an admirer of good literature being an
especial student of Dante, and in the college at
Rome has established professorships of liter
ature.
Following the Bishops address was 5 vocal
solo LA Feoraia," by Miss Margaret McKeever
The next number of the programme was a reel
tation. Triumph Foreshadowed." from the
Popes writings, by Miss May VanDake. A
eomery and Miss Beatrice Elbery, and Miss
Eugenia Fieber rected in an impressive manner
''St. Hercuanus." from the Pope's writings A
ceived. Gently Down the Stream of Time"
was sung by Miss Maggie McKeever.
assisted by Misses Mamie Goddard,
Mamie Catherwood, Clara Johnston
and Lula and Ruth Mccoy, the accompanist
being Miss Clara Bretz. A piano solo was given
by Miss Beatrice Elbery. AT the conclusion of
New Albany, sang THE Night Birds Cooling"
She has clear, rich voice, and her singing
proved the musical treat of~the evening. By
request. Miss Meeker sang 1.-THE Letter that
Came at Last" which also received with
marked favor. At the conclusion of the sin cling,
and social pleasantly prevailed.