The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-17
Chicago Times Herald.

Chicago Times Herald.
You ask me 10 tell you about Rome; to
give you and the public view OF the
Rome of today through my eyes. If my
doing so will be of any interest to the pub
lie / am happy to comply with your re-
quest. had visited Rome several times
before going there last December. In 1873
had the happiness of private CONVERSE
Ton with Pope Plus TX. In 1883 paid my
first official visit as Bishop of Richmond
TO Pope Leo MIL In 1856 | saw him for
the second time, having just been chosen
first rector of the Catholic University Of
America. During that winter | conferred
with him frequently in regard TO this i'm
poTtant matter. Again. in 1887, AMI In
1894 the duties CT my office took me to
Rome and gave me the privilege Of fire.
qlSnt and long conferences with the great
rope. In December, 1896, l went to make
the eternal city my home This | did at
tt9 special request of Leo XIII himself
In his letter 10 me on the occasion Of my
retirement from the university, he left 1t
TO myself either to stay in America or to
come to Rome. OF course l preferred to
remain in my own country. But unfcre-
seen Developments, both in Europe and
America. Induced the holy father some
months later 10 send me word that it would
be better for the interests OF religion that
should take up my residence in Rome and
devote myself there TO the interests of the
church In America This unhesltatingly
did, always preferring to lie guided by the
Judgment OF the chief bishop of the church
rather than by views OF my own And
thus it was that Rome became my future
dwelling place.
a place assumes a new aspect when il
becomes ones home. Cardinal Orevlla
gave me his own experience as an Illus
tlation Of what | might expect in tn, eter
nal city He said that when he came 10
Rome as a young man he became SO hIne-
sick that he could hardly induce himstlf
TO remain. but that after some months.
and especially after some years, he could
not live anywhere else. Rome he says.
has power of absorption and assimila-
ton beyond any other city In the world"
RoME'S GREAT FASCINATION.
! must acknowledge that have already
begun to experience the truth of his state
ment. am sure that no city in the world
has about 1t such fascination as Rome.
On whatever side q mans intellectual ma
turc has been developed he finds in the
eternal city the environments and the in
spiration most congenial 10 him Everyone
lcyes TO linger in the majestic intellectual
giories of the past and all OF them are,
as 1t were, forever enshrined In Rome She
Inherited all the intellectual glories OF
Greece, and she. by her worldwide do
minton. made them the property OF the
world forever, and Caesar and Cicero were
the outcome OF Alexander and Demos he
mes The ruins Of the forum tell us today
OF the grandest achievements that the an
Client world had beheld in all that sways
the minds and Wills OF men--that charm
fingers around the forum still. | met in
home last winter Learned member OF
The French oratory who was making there
his inal studies for a history of the for
um. From the level Of the forum mounts
ths Paiatlne hill. where we still behold
the ruins OF the palaces OF the Caesars
STANDING there one can look. as in the
days OF old, 20 All the ends OF the Garth
and feel the thrill OF the uniyersll mower
whose mandates went forth from thai hill.
top. And yet that power has passed awav
and those gorgeous palaces are occupied
only BY lizards and owla. Far on the on
posite aide Of the city towers the dome ~
| 81 reeers. and BY IT. side rises the paIscs