The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-28
THE POPE's MORNING WALK.
A Picturesque Retinue Attends Him
on His Rounds of the vatican Gnr-

picturesque Hetlnue AAtends ltinl
on His Rounds of the vatican Cur
dens.
H. NJ. Barbour In N. Y. Home Journal.
Although the grounds connected with the
vatican are not large. stlll they afford a
very respectable breathing place for the
one infallible man In the universe. Here
the sovereign pontlff goes forth-when the
weather and his health permit-for his
daily walks and drives Generally no pro-
fame eye of stranger within the gates IS
supposed TO behold the miniature pageant.
But one noon. just before the great cello
bration of his Jubilee. we CHANGED to be in
the Salla della Biga, just as the pope was
about to go out for his constitutional. The
custodian was very amiable, and intl-
mated In a quiet way TO the few who stlll
fingered in the room--for ii was lunch
hour In Rome--that they might see "his
holiness IL they cared to go behind the
heavy curtains that hid an immense win
dow commanding q view of a splendid
avenue of the vatican gardens.
We had not to walt long ere the apostolic
successor of st. Peter, with his retinue
emerged from one of the courts Of the pal
ace. First came the pope. walking with a
priest on his left, and a tall soldier from
his body-guard on his right. The pope wore
a white wooden gown, hanging in soft
folds to his feet, and a wide-brimmed red
hat. The priest wore a violet or purple
gown, and held a cream-colored sunshade
lined with scarlet, over the head OF the
illustrious superior. The bodyguard was
in splendid uniform. Behind them follow
ed one or two priest, and a valet with
a scarlet cloak over his arm.
Then came a closed carriage with a
coachman and fo0tman in livery, and they
were followed by mounted guard of two.
Several of the celebrated Swiss Guards, in
their butterfly uniform of black, yellow
and red-sad to have been designed by
Michael Angelo-sauntered out into the
broad drive and watched the little cor
tege As If all this color was not enough
to drive any artist frantic with ambition
TO transfer It to canvas. there came three
or four others-high officials Of the house
hold"-ln crimson brocade to their knees,
and crimson stockings. Their long-waist-
ed coats, knee breaches and padded stock
ings left nothing to wish for-uniess 1t was
powdered wigs-to make the picture a ra-
diant one as they stood there In the win
ter sunshine. under the Roman sky, with
the soft green Of the ilex trees for a back
ground.
The pope walked briskly for a man of
his age. He. naturally, looks small and
fragile by the side of the men who com
pose his guard-men Of six feet and over
lie has been constantly in Rome and in
mis- palace and gardens now for eighteen
years. with no change and no recreation
except that which a change Of work brings
him He belongs TO a long-lived family:
one brother having died at a. and another
a 81 He has been compared to Gladstone
In his ability to do a vast amount of work.
and TO find rest merely by change of ac-
ton.
We watched the little party out OF sight
as they turned down an alice of the gar
dens, and then We returned to the gods
and goddesses OF antiquity.