Evening star., 1898-09-17

privilege. One of them, a marquis of for
midable influence, made stormy protest.
Your officers have trespassed on my do
main to make arrests he cried.
Criminals must be arrested where they
can be found" answered Pecci unmoved.
But your authority does not extend to
my domain
NO man is above the law" responded
the governor, meaningly.
Then the marquis waxed furious i
will go to Rome and procure your instant
dismissal" he shouted.
Go, said the frail young priest, un-
daunted But remember, to reach the
Vatican you must pass through the castle
OF St. Angelo
This castle was prison The guilty con-
science of the patron of robbers under
stood the menace. He did not go to Rome,
but the suppression of brigandage went on
right merrily. Benevento ceased to be an
asylum for the lawless.
Beloved by PcruSians.
A little later the future pope, now in good
training. was sent as delegate to Perugia.
This was a promotion, but the district was
disafected, and the place difficult. He be-
gan. like an old Roman, by building a great
road long needed. This road presently led
straight to the hearts of the people and
the new governor, quiet kind, efficient, be-
came their idol. Soon, however, he was
again promoted. being sent as papal nuncio
to the court of Belgium. At the same time
he was invested with a dignity. being
made titular archbishop of Damietta. He
was not yet thirty-three.
Leo XIII has been justly praised as the
most modern of the pOpes. Hitherto his
training and experience had been decidedly
medieval 1t was In Belgium that he first
'breathed the Hfe-giving air Of modern
ISM and came to know the world as 1t is
today. Here again he won all hearts both
king and queen showing him the utmost
favor and confidence. A portrait made
about this time shows strong
Of unusual charm, and even then he bore
himself with the same grace and dignity
before which in after days princes stood
confused and abashed. His tact was ex-
quisite. He often consulted by the
sovereign. and on one occasion Leopold ex-
claimed: Really, monsignOr, you are as
clever as a politician as you are admirable
as churchman." His wit. also, was
trenchant but he never used it wantonly
Here 1t was that he became familiar with
railways, then new thinS-for the date
was 1S43-surprised and delighted to find
himself borne across the fiat loWlands at a
speed mot less than twenty miles an
hour He was much interested too, in the
lighting of cities by gas. Indeed. this zeal
for wholesome progress is thoroughly char
dcter.Stic Of It pope who, in his old age
had kind word even for the bicycle
After about two years of honorable serv-
ice he returned to Rome. First, however,
he paid hasty visit to England, bearing
from Leopold letters of Introduction TO the
queen. which insured him a cordial well
come. He also made short stay in Paris.
where he met King Louis Philippe, VIII )se
reign was then nearing its disastrous close.
Conquered French En- Route.
The mention of France recalls a crcun-
stance which we'll illustrates Pecci's
marvellous energy in surmounting difficult
ties. When he was appointed nuncio it is
said that he had little knowledge of French.
the language of diplomacy. But the Jour-
ney to Belgium was slow in those days and
a slight illness caused further delay. Every
spare moment was devoted to the study of
French with such indomitable industry
that by the time he reached his destination
ne mad acquired a competent command of
the language he was expected to use
And row, for this brilliant young &C.
clesiastic. who thus far had done all things
well, there remained but one more lesson.
one final test of fitness for his splendid
destiny. The lesson, however, was a long
one; II endured for thirty-two years 1t
was the lesson of complete self-reumcia-
ton. When II began he was in the very
prime Of life, and doubtless that last in
trinity of noble mind" ambition still had
some hold upon him. When it closed his
head was white his spirit ripe and chas-
tened.
He was appointed bishop of Perugia.
1t was carefully explained that this was
intended as promotion. In fact, it was
Il heavy sacrifice. TO this rising diplomat
the intimate of kings, it must have seemed
the burial of his hopes. But ne accepted
his burden without murmur, and was
warmly welcomed by a people who had not
forgotten their former governor.
These years of patient service in Pc
rug1a are full of good works, but without
notable incident-though he saw war VEged
at his very door. He was especially zeal
Gus in the cause of education. and gave the
closest personal supervision to the schools
he founded. One of the teachers under
his charge relates that certain morn
ing. being a little late he found the bishop
himself busily instructing his Latin, class
That was the only rebuke administered
but the tardiness was not repeated
Meanwhile this quiet devotion to duty
had not passed unobserved at Rome In
1874 Pecci received the cardinals cap.
The Red Hat as Reward.
On the 7th of February, 1875 Plus TX,
broken with troubles and disappontments.
wearily breathed his last. and it became
the duty of Pecci as camerlingo, to pre-
side al the election of a successor. on
the third ballot he was himself chosen
by the requisite two thirds While the
scrutiny was in progress he was with dif-
hculty restrained from rising to proclaim
his utter unWorthiness.
There is no question here of YOU 1t
is the church." a friend close at his side
admonished him; and when the result was
announced he bowed his head in acuui-
escence. Thy will be done," he said in
substance.
The career of Leo XIII as pope is too
familiar to require extended comment Ii
was certainly no sinecure to which he had
attained. His predecessor had died with
u protest on his lips against the UBIQUITOUS
spohation of the church" by the Italian
government. Leo did not deem it consist
ent with his duty or his dignity to change
this attitude. He remained prisoner of
the Vatican" but made no theatrical dis
play over 1t.
In general his policy has been a policy of
conciiation-though he never admitted
compromise in what he believed to be is
sues OF right and wrong. A friend of
peace, he has ever stood ready to mediate
between the nations. Such service he
would gladly have rendered in the case of
our war with Spain. which undoubtedly
cast a deep sadness over his declining DAYS:
but he was far too wise to interpose unso-
iicited and without due warrant He has
always been noted for his warm interest
in the United States. His recognition of
the French republic is another striking in
dication of his liberal temper.
One of Many Triumphs.
Doubtless the greatest triumph of his
reign was his final victory over Bismarck
and Falk in the long "Kultur- -Kampf'
campaign; and in view of his moderation,