The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-27
Four Months of Effort Necessary
Before the Pontiff Could BE In
duced to Enter Into the Project
The Pictures by Express Ar
rangement Are Not to Be shown
in Theaters or Concert Halls.

HIS Excellency MonSignor della Volpe
the pontifical majordomo, that I sue
coed not only in evading the diplomatic
obstacles, but in reassuring his holi-
ness as to the ease and naturalness of
the mutoscope methods. They dispense
with the posing and the strain that
have made Leo XIII. averse to por-
traiture of any kind.
Il was sustained in my efforts, how
ever, by the assurances of one of the
papal magnates, who told me that, all
though his holiness was difficult of APP
proach in this matter, his word once
gained would be irrevocable and his
cooperation gracious and kindly So
1t proved. He granted to me no fewer
than five separate sittings embracing
II GOO negatives Before beginning the
work / sent word to his holiness that
the taking machine made a roaring
noise.
'''Never mind he replied, laughing.
provided they are not cannons' pour
WI que ce ne soft pas des cannons)
Plus *, his predecessor, was familiar
with that music. Two scenes We're
taken in the upper loggia of the Vat
lean on the occasion of the solemn pom
tif1cal mass in the Sistine chapel and
reception of pilgrims. In the first pic
ture his holiness is being carried
through the loggia and past the cam
era in an open chair.
IMPRESSIVE SIGHT.
The figure of the pontiff, surround
ed by his stately and picturesque court
is one Of the most impressive spec
tacles imaginable, the Swiss, Palatine
and Noble Guard. the gendarmes and
firemen combining with splendid eff
feet. This picture would never have
been taken except for the kindness
Of the pontiff, who patiently waited
half an hour while the bulky apparatus
was being brought from the other side
of the Vatican, the change of place
being necessary at the last moment by
a change OF plans. On his return
through the loggia the supreme
pointin again permitted e series
or photographs to be taken and
also accorded his permission to have
the windows Of the sedan chair low
cred. stopping also. before the camera
and blessing the apparatus repeatedly
l received the Papal benediction kneel-
ing on the top of a small platform,
composed of battery boxes. one of the
many insecure perches incidents to bio
graph experiences.
"a carefully planned picture of his
holiness, driving through the gardens
of the Vatican, was the next achieve
ment. The close carriage, long dis
OSCQ SNdlc WAS opened LOT TINS
special purpose at the request Of the
pope's all-powerful nephew Count
Pecci, and in spite of the terrific heat
His Holiness graciously abstained from
raising a parasol, and again stopped
before the camera and blessed the
machine. I was told that this was the
first time in twenty years that Leo's
carriage had been open.
Preceding and following the ponti-
fool
commanded by Count Camille Pecci
and a picturesque incident was intro
duced into the pageant by Monsignor
della Volpe, who, when the carriage
stopped, knelt at the pope's feet, kiss
ing the apostolic ring, and imploring
a blessing upon the enterprise.
BLESSED THE BIOGRAPH.
I'm accordance with this request the
pope again blessed the biograph, while
his delicate and intellectual features
vivid interest. This picture was taxi
en- on April 20.
Several weeks later 1 was admitted
to the Vatican gardens, on which oc-
casion his holiness recognized the
machine, and asked if it We're not the
same apparatus and If l were not the
same man whom he had seen in the
loggia early in the summer. On receiv-
ing an affirmative reply he laughed
and said: oh, then. we must do some
thing for him. That evening the
camera was placed opposite the door
of the garden Of villa, and the holy
father kindly lent himself to the re-
quirements of the biograph. A Yalua
be series Of views was obtained, In
connection with which Leo XIII. show
ed n kindly and intelligent interest. He
asked me how long ! would remain in
Rome. / replied that that depended en-
tirely upon his holiness.
1 am altogether at your disposal.
he answered, and am charmed to as
sist you by every means In my pow
err.
Il answered: The sovereign goodness
of your holiness will earn the graft
tude of the world at large, but most
especially of America. where your holt
ness has innumerable subjects and ad-
mirers. AS for myself and the COM
pany of which [ am a member, your
holiness has laid us under the deepest
obligations. May 1 beg that you will
grant us your special benediction?'
Willingly" he replied, smiling upon
me with peculiar benignIty. l rose TO
go, but he detained me, entering with
extreme cordially into my description
of the manner in which the muto-
scopes would be placed and the impor-
tant use which they would have in
bringing his holiness before the large
number Of those who were debarred
| from a pilgrimage to Rome and the
| pontifical blessing there.
HOLY FATHER PLEASED.
| when a little later l submitted to
Leo XIII. the mutoscope containing
| the living reproduction Of himself, he
betrayed the most gleeful interest, ex-
claiming frequently, oh, see me
blessing. Then to Monsignor della
Volpe, who was standing by. smiling
| at his pleasure. his holiness said
How splendid you look
AT the close of the interview 1 said
Holy Father, viii you not add to my
| indebtedness by giving me one more
sitting in the garden by the summer
villa?'
He laughed and shook his head
Have you not enough?'
NO / answered boldly, but give
me tomorrow morning and 1 will prom
! Use to be content
His holiness was silent a minute
and then said: Well, then, | agree
but not for tomorrow morning. To-
morrow afternoon at o'clock
The change TO the latter hour meant
| a comparatively defective light, but II
er convenience for my nlustrious sub
| ject. so / accepted the offer gratefully
| and his holiness left after agair
| thanking me warmly for the view OF
| the mutoscope. No sooner had tbs
a.