The herald., 1895-12-01
Leo XIII Does Not Expect to Survive the Winter,
Though His Great Vitality May Sus-
tain Him Several Months.
His Body SevsnThe Many Worries Of
the Present Poutff..A Present Policy
Favored by Cardinals Outside Of Rome.-But
Eligible Cardinals

Time ana time again has the news been
sent to all quarters OF the earth that Pope
Leo XIII. was on his deathbed. Almost
since his first elevation to the papal
throne these rumors have been circulated
but so often has the wonderful mentality
of the man conquered the frailitjes of the
body that now little attention is paid
even in Rome to a renewal OF the rumors.
Recent events have shown, however,
that the end IS not far off. In many lit
tle ways the pope himself has gently ex-
pressed the helief that he would not sur
Cvivs winter. Always thin and shrunken
he has faded away tO mere shadow.
He has taken unusual precautions about
his health and his affairs. All of his
papers he has recently placed under
seal. He seems to know that any hour
he may be carried to his bed never to rise
again.
While making his daily tour OF the gar
den of tho Vatican couple of weeks ago
he stopped at particular grapevine
which he planted himself many years
ago, and which he has always attended
to. When one Of his attendants remarked
that the vine had borne an abundant crop
the pope replied the grapes would mako
good wine, but that he would not live
to drink it.
The hot summers which Leo XIII.
spends within the walls of tho Vatican
would have weakened a much stronger
man. In fact, nearly all OF the many hun
dreds or functionsries who inhabit the
vast pie of masonry have been stricken
At one time or another with the Roma
nd nrlu hxv n,c %.
seek a change of air. We're it poss Bile for
the man who needs this change rost, to
make 1t, the life of the pops, otwith-
standing his "a years, might last much
longer.
The predecessors OF Leo XIII. had the
cooling advantages of the Castle Candida
during the hot summer months. This
castle, on Lake Aloano, and the most
beautiful in the Roman campagna, of
late years mas been used as a convent for
nuns. II is doubtful if any future pope
will ever occupy it.
Another sign of the approaching disso-
luton of the pope is his many demands
upon Contra, his body servant. This ser
want Is a person OF the creates. influence
at the Vatican; the pontiff relies upon
him implicitly. and his trust is we'll
placed.
The Romans say that Centra is more
powerful than the whole sacred college
combined. lie is the son of a halter. and
was born at Carpineto, in the province
from which the pope's family the Pecci
-sprang. For fourtsen years Centra has
been devoted and affectioEate servant,
anticipating the pope's every want, and
never leaving him. If Contra is indIspos-
ed the whole palace speedily becomes
aware of the fact by the bearing of the
holy father; even when he is i'll he is so
necessary that tho pope will NOT allow
him to go away for more than q week at
q time.
Last Septem ber Centra had a sharp at
tack of Roman fever, and was perem ptor-
lily ordered u change of air bv the pope's
physician. The pontiff decided that be
should go to Carpnsto, their native place.
where the aria fina, he thought would
speedily restore the faithful soul to
health, but nevertheless insisted vn Cen
ira returning to Rome every fifth day IN
order thatyhe should shave him, the pope
would not allow even the clevcrest barber