The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-04
THE CHILDREN'S HOUR.
The Pops's Reception to the Children OF
mountaineering Scenes.


A very pretty sight was witnessed on
the morning of January at tine Vatican,
when Leo XIII. received the children or
Rome who came with their parents 10
EXPRESS their devotion and congratulations
to him en- the occasion OF his hfietn
episcopal year The audience was hxed
for II o'clock. but long before that the
Majestic staircase of the Vatican leading
up 10 the Pope's apartments was crowded
with ladies leading their children by the
hand who were mostly dressed IN white'
all under ten years Of age, and all In ex-
pectation of seeing IL Papa. 1t was
sort Of dream to see all those children
clamorlng away with their little voices.
which broke for once the stately ana
almost silent grandeur that generally
reigns in the Vatican. 1t looked much
more as il they were all going up 10
children's party than to have perhaps
lust n momentary sight of the aged Pope,
stopped with years and cares induced by
the responsibility of his position.
The audience took place in the Hall or
the Consstory off the Sala Clementina,
where the Pope holds the secret con-
sistories. A throne had been specially
arranged there, and with only two very
low steps leading up to It. because, as
the pope said, he wished TO have the
children around him. BY 1880 the nan
was filed with over 800 children. besides
their parents. More than double the num-
Der had asked for permission to go, out
they had to be refused, as IL WOULD nave
been impossible for the Pope 10 nave
stood the fatigue of seeing them all. AL
lis the Pope entered the hall on Ioot
surrounded by Cardinals Rampola, "a
rocohi. Macchi. Ruffo Scilla, NannuteHi;
RIcci and Apoloni, his Noble Guards ana
Of tho DOptifiCal court.
AS the bent figure of the Pope in his sim
nile white dress was seen. the voices OF the
little children Joined together In Calling
out over and over again, Viva II Papa, a
cry resoundlng through the room, whlle
his Holiness himself seemed much amused
from the manner in which ne smiled NJ
seeing all these little creatures ABOUT
him. These children were OF all classes
from the aristocratic to the lower CLASS
well-to-do families, and each little chlid
had contributed his or her little obolo or
offering for the Pope. The names of each
of the children, written mostly In their
own handwritings, were enclosed In
beautiful white satin album bearing the
Pontihcal arms, which was atterWaru
presented TO the Pope.
II was with some difficulty that the
Pore was able to get to the throne, as all
these children were crowding up to have
a look at him. once seated. however,
two children, Comma Borghiglionl ana
Gustave Pars. eight and nine years OF
oco raenactivelv recfted before the
Pope without the slightest nervousness;
in fact. with the greatest aplomb
dialogue entitled I'll trionfo del Papa.
Another little fellow, whose name Tor
got but who did not look more than
six years of age, was brought up 10 de-
liver a piece of poetry. The Pope TOOK
him on his knee and the little child
also in a very spirited manner, SAID MS
piece, and ended with little shout OF
VIVA Il Papa" The Pope took many
other Of the little things on his knee.
One OF them burst out crying because
she had not been given medaglio ike
those which were being distributed about,
so the Pope ordered his guards 10 get
one for her. The medals given TO the
children were of silver, 10 some or when
was attached blue ribbon and TO others
a yellow one. Some OF the medals had
on one side the profile OF the Pope ana
on the other the image of the BLESSED
Virgin. while others on the reverse side
had the figure OF st. Joseph. The chill
dren's offerings, which amounted 70 sew
eral thousands OF francs inclosed in lit
tie silk bags, were presented 20 the Pope
on a silver tray by the little daughter
Of the Princess Antici Mattel.
The Pope was TO have delivered a speech
TO the children, but 1t was impossible TO
make the hundreds of little voices keep
quiet, although an attempt was made
several times to do So The children,
together with their parents, were after
ward allowed to pass in groups before the
Pope, who had a kind word for each,
and whose venerable hand, perhaps even
whiter than the white lace mitten with
which ii was partly covered. gave an
affectionate pat 10 many little cheek.
AS the Pope at last at 1:S0 got up from
the throne TO return to his private rooms
another ringing cheer of small voices
saluted him. Although the hall OF the
Consistory had got very hot. yet the Pope
did not seem fatigued, and he does not
seem to have suffered any bad conse-
quences from what was after all rather
a serious exertion for his age.-London
Tablet.