Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-18
ROMANCE IN ROME.
Cardinal GlbhsnS's Introductory Latter
tOa French Book.
N THE LoBprEs OF THE VATICAN.
The Triumph OF Lendrcs and the
Papacy-An Antidote Against a Ro-
manccr's Poisonous Production
Fronton's Conversion.

itself known at distance. Prominent
men stand upon such intellectual heights
that they are known and appreciated far
beyond their immediate surroundings.
Their words and opinions are received
with respect and honor not only by their
own. but by those who have TO special
bond with them, urged 20 respect ana
veneration by the tendency OF spprecia-
tive minds 10 pay tribute 10 intellect; for
intellect Is confined 20 no nation Out
finds itself a; home among all peoples
This fate OF being known and keenly
appreciated by other peoples than his own
has come 10 Cardinal Gibbons a re-
markable work, just published in France
and eagerly looked after here. makes mat
evident in a marked degree. The Work
"a entitled "Dans les Couloirs du vail
can-In the Hobbies Of the vatican anu
has as lts introduction. a Letter FROM
HIS Eminencc Cardinal Giobohs, AiVn-
bishop Of Baltimore" The name OF O"iui-
nal Gibbons f.. evidently, q name WIN
which 20 conjure Ia france. ms ga,
rcutblic IS 20 might be presumed beyond
hie Immediate influence: yet here. AS, IN
deed IN the other more cultured nations
Of Europe. 10 Is an honor to be even dis
family associated with him, and his opin-
ions and ideas on the current subjects OF
the day are looked forward TO and re-
cciyed with reverence.
IN THE LOBEEs OF THE VATICAN.
Dams les Comforts du Vatican" is float
cd into the world OF publicity not only by
its intrinsic qualities, but, perhaps. stu
more buoyantly by the Introductory let
ter OF the Cardinal Archbishop OF Balti-
the
French. reads n follows:
My Dear Mr. Auschitzky, What ]
have read Of your beautiful book, lie
Triomphe DC Lourdes Crhe Triumph OF
LCurdes) allows me 10 say that you have
done q work which Is as useful as II Is
interesting, IN which faith in the super
natural IS found vlndlcated against the
attacks OF unbelief. Your book upon Rome
which will bee the triumph OF the papacy,
VIII have. ] doubt not. as great success
as SIS predecessor
"In reply 20 your amiable letter and re-
quest. I send you the text Of a toast
You will find IN q some thoughts ana
Joyous 10 those which you express your
self and ! willingly permit you to make
the use that YOU desire Of them.
Accept, dear NJ. Absolutely, the as
suIance Of my warmest sympathy.
CARDINAL GIBBONS,
Archbishop Of Baltimore.
Baltimore. 2d February, 1895"
TRIOMPHE DE LOURDEs.
The author. whose pen name IS Guy de
Pierrefeu. appends note TO tins letter
81 which he relates the origin OF the car
dinarg letter. and this he does with that
thoughtful courtesy which generally dis
tinguishes Frenchmen. In order 10 avoid
or provide against p0lemics which might
be 5!sagreeable To the Cardinal A short
time previously he offered his Eminence
his "Triompne de LOurdes,' which
learned prelate was about 10 translate
into English. In the letter accompanying
the book be said 20 the Cardinal that
after having written Lourdes before lola,
he was making arrangements TO write
Rome before him, ard he added That he
would be happy 10 have the authorization
OF translstlng one OF his Eminences
writings upon The action or the papacy'
The answer was not long delayed. III Is
needless 10 say that the Cardinal let
ter Is not an approval OF the author
new book. which WAS not seen by ms
Iiminence-lt IS simply proof oil sym
uathy addressed to the author OF the
'Triomphe de Iourdes," and an encourage
ment TO him when about TO write the
''Triomphe de la Papaute" or triumph
Of the Papacy"
AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST ZOLAs POI
SON.
And the book. 20 which this letter OF
the Cardinal and his toast on Leo NH,
serve as introduction, Is a curious anu
quite interesting production. All the read
ing world OF Europe has recently been
lct into the secret OF Mr. Zola's projected
work upon Rome, and what place rope
len XIII. will hold in that forthcoming
hook The modest author, whose per-
slsteut attempts to become a member OF
The French Academy raises a smile Oh
contempt on the face OF every genuine
scholar. has thus managed TO advertise
his wares. and to whet the appetite OF
the jewellers in lola foulnesses for that
which they will find I'm the forthcoming
book on Rome. BY I'm the Lobbies OF the
Vatican" the author who writes under
the name OF Guy de Pierrefeu, aims at
discounting the work OF Iola ana pro
yiding people with an antidote 10 the
anucipated poison OF that book. No one
eynects that Zola's Rome will be aught
else than an outrageous caricature OF the
genuine article; and, although assuming
the form OF romance. it VIII, IL Is pre-
sumed. be little else than vehicle Ior
the peculiar system OF morals and man
ners that this author has so frequently
exhibited 10 the public on past occasions
ABBE Fremont IN A NEW ROLE.
The author OF the work / am consider
iug-a work which has been bought up
eagerly I'm Rome-takes two OF the promi-
nent personages in Z0la's 'LourdeS' ana
deals with them, With lola himself as
one Of the characters In this new book,
and with a few other persons. The Able
Pierre Fremont, who had lost his belief
in the Catholic faith, In Zola's romance.
az the opening OF the present book passes
his days with the memory OF his broken
life lie beheld again that day in which
he had promised 20 return 20 the faith
n the Virgin would restore youth and
health 20 the friend Of his childhood
This friend. Marie Guirsaint, Is the
young woman whose extraordinarily
miraculous cure from paralysis OF
years Is described so forcibly by NJ Zola.
The Able Fremont. lola says. loved her,
and hence his faith went by the board.
in this condition Guy de Pierreieu taxes
up the tale, brings the couple and their
friends TO Rome. and here works out
tho Salvation OF the unbeiieving priest.
The subject u.s. as may be seen, somewhat
hazardous. but this author handles II with
rare skill and delicacy.
on the way 10 Rome, AZ Florence, they
bchel N0ia on his way 20 the kternai
City. The Able beholds him-'the IA,
nous fomancer, whose pIolaluie nanv
has beaten against al respects as against
an glOues. which has withered the soui
Of hr priest al the contact OF his skepu-
cism." Here the author relates from me
newspaper reports OF the time the arrival
and reception given 20 Zo'1 by the Hon.
Luzzatu deputy to the italian Parila-
ment, and director Of the Journal Tribuna,
81 Rome. which published a translation
81 'iourdes" and VIII publish a transla-
ton 81 "kOmp' when this will begin 10
appear. Another waiting 20 receive the
romancer was Count Bertovell the mana
ser OF the sam journal, and a third, VINO
was also Journalist
ZOi.A IN ROME.
The various modes OF seeing Rome az
exhibited by Marie GuifSaint the Able
Fremont and 81 Zola are described at
length, and here the author finds full
scope for some brief but eNcellen, de-
s,rlp:!ons OF the more ceebrlted sites OF
Christian Rome. and descantlng on The
significance OF the lessons ana suggestions
they convey 20 minds who examine them
in the spirit o. the place. ZOlas expe-
DLh-lLs