The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-04
LEO XIII IN THE BIOGRAPH
MOVING PICTURES OF HIS HOLINESS
THAT WILL ATTRACT NOTICE.
Marvellous Series of Views in Which
the Pope Is shown in the vatican
Grounds Before the MutOscOpe.
New York Journal.

may see him walk, bow take oft his hat
smile drive in his landau through the al
leyS of the Vatican gardens that are closed
to the profane, and give. with his right hand
raised, the apostolic benediction. To the
faithful in a state of grace that apostolic
benediction, reproduced in pictures, will
have the same effect as if it were conferred
directly, personally. The camera was
blessed, the films were blessed. the operator
was blessed In Baltimore on Tuesday in
Washington ON Wednesday, before Cardinal
Gibbons, the apostolic delegate, Mgr Marti-
nelli; DR.. Garrigan rector Of the University
of America; the rector of Georgetown Uni
Versity and many other dignitaries of the
Roman Catholic Church, the moving pic
lures are to be shown.
They are to be displayed on those two oc-
casions before they are displayed elsewhere
They may not be displayed elsewhere if
they be criticised adversely there. The ex-
hibitions are to be absolutely under the con-
troll of the church in America. They may
not be given in concert halls or in play
houses. That was the photographers prom
Use to the Pope.
The photographer has in the Pope's conf
oence a glory which was Michael Angeles
IN tie renaissance, which was Theobald
ChArtran's in the present time. Modestly
W. Kennedy-Laurie Dickson attributes it
to the fact of his being an American Rivals
were as industrious as he, obtained letters
OIL recommendation powerful as his. He
IS In his thirty-seventh year, a graduate
OIL Edlsons laboratory, wherein he la
bored patiently at the first machine for ami
mated pictures that was ever made He is
celebrated among electricians. He is related
to noble families of England. He took to
Rome letters of introduction from American
prelates whose influence is powerful He
Iabored with all the reverence of the true
artist. He captvated the Popes nephew,
the Pope's major-domo, the Pope's guards
lie spoke French when English failed. He
was patient, enthusiastic, alert His achieve
ment was intensely American.
1t is an extraordinary accomplishment
w. Kennedy-Laurie Dickson has written the
following iteresting account of the way the
work was done:
The difficulties of securing for the muto-
scope and biograph the living and moving
portraitures of Leo XIII and his court may
be only family appreciated by those unac-
quainted with the delicate diplomacy that
the unique relations of Italian church and
state impose. They too complicated to
be detailed in the limits of this sketch
1t IS only after four months of a constant
siege of the Vatican and repeated inter
views with Count Sodorini. Count Pecci.
the Pope's nephew and his excellency Mgr
Della Volpe, the pontifical major domo. that
succeeded, not only in evading the diplo-
matte obstacles but in reassuring his Holt
ness as to the ease and naturalness of the
mutoscope methods. They dispense with the
rosing and the strain that have made Leo
~ III aVerse to portraiture of any kind
was sustained in my efforts. however,
by the assurances of one of the PapaI mag
mates, who told me that, although his Holt
ness was difficult 10 approach in this mat
Ter MS word once gained would be irrevoc-
able and his cooperation gracious and kind
~ so 1t proved. He granted to me no few
er than five separate sittings embracing H.
Ul negatives. Before beginning the work |
sent word to his Holiness that the taking
machine made roaring noise.
Never mind, he replied, laughing pro
Vided they are not cannons'' iPourvu que
ce ne soft pas des canons) Plus TX his
predecessor, was familiar with that music.
Two scenes were taken in the upper log
solemn pontifical mass in the Sstine Chapel
and reception of pilgrims. In the first pic
ture his Holiness is being carried through
the loggia and past the camera in an open
chair
MOST IMPRESSIVE SIGHT.
The figure of the Pontiff. surrounded by
his stately and picturesque court, is one
of the most impressive spectacles imagin-
able, the Swiss, Palatine and Noble Guard
the gendarmes and fremen combining with
splendid effect 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 neces-
STATED at the last moment by a change of
plans. On his return through the loggia
Snprpmp
ries of photographs TO be taken and also
accorded his permission to have the win
doWs or the sedan chair lowered, stopping
also before the camera and blessing the APP
paratus repeatedly. / received the papal
oenediction dutlfully. kneeling on the top
of small platform, composed of battery
boxes, one of the many insecure perches in
cdent to biograph experiences.
ness caT rfn Ranned picture ba q his Hq
Vatican was the next achievement. The
close close carriage, q long disused state lam
at the request of the Popes all-powerfu
nephew, Count Pecci and in spite of the
terrific heat his Holiness Sracously alb
stopped before the camera and blessed the
machine. I told that this was the first
time in twenty years that Leo's carriage
had been open.
Preceding and following the pontfcial
carriage We're mounted CARDS, commanded
by Count Camille Pecci, and picturesque
incident was introduced into the pageant by
Monsignor Della Volpe. who, when the car
rage stopped. kneit at the Pope teet KISS
ing the apostolic ring, and mploring a bless
ing upon the enterprise.
In accordance with this request the Pope
again blessed the biograph, while his deli
cate and intellectual features were lighted
up with an expression of vivid interest.
This picture was taken on April 90
Several weeks later i was admitted to the
Vatican gardens, on which occasion His
Holiness recognized the machine. and asked
if it were not the same apparatus and If /
were not the same man whom he had seen
in the loggia early in the summer.
laughed and said. "Oh, then, we must do
something for him." That evening the
camera was placed opposite the door of the
garden villa, and the Holy Father kindly
lent himself to the requirements of the
biograph A valuable series of views was
obtained, in connection with which Leo
XIII showed a kindly and intelligent inter
est He asked me how long / would remain
in Rome. / replied that that depended en-
tirely upon his Holiness.
II am altogether at your disposal, he
answered, and am charmed to assist you
bv every means in my power.
/ answered. The sovereign goodness of
your Holiness will earn the gratitude of
the world at large, but most especially of
America, where your Holiness has innu-
merable subjects and admirers. As for
myself and the company of which l am a
member, your Holiness has laid us under
the deepest obligations May / beg that
YOU will grant us your special benediction?"
s'WiIlingly" he replied smiling upon me
with peculiar benignity. / arose to go, but
he detained me, entering with extreme cor