The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-02-15

or regards him as the simple ruler
or regards him simply as the supreme
teacher in a universal school, he will
be profoundly moved by the solem-
nifty and suggestiveness of the place.
''To reach this sovereign of a ghost
~ empire, we passed through the pal
ace door that looks out upon the wide
space in front of st. Peter's-once
lighted by the burning bodies of Chris.
tan martyrs. Here stood a squad of
the stalwart Swiss guard, in brilliant
costumes of red, yellow and black,
designed by Michael Angelo more
than 800 years ago. Ascending the
royal stairway of marble that leads to
the immortal Sistine chapel, and turn
ing to the right, up flight Of ancient
steps, we We're saluted by the gen.
darmes of st. Peter, at the entrance
of the open courtyard of st. Damascus,
which is half surrounded by corridors
and halls gloriticd by the genius of
Raphael, the tender color glowing
here and there through open windows
'This spot once echoed the steel
shod feet Of Charlemagnc. Here Nal
poleon stood among fawning towards
In one corner of the sunny courtyard
was a cardinals carriage and long
tailed horses. \ tall, thin monsignor
in purple silk rustled by, and a white
pigeon wheeled in alarm through the
the hour. a picturesque sentry, lean
ing on an antique halberd, guarded
the door Of Il great marble stairway
leading from the opposite side of the
court. Passing through the door and
mounting the stairs. we came to the
hall of st. Clement. Here figures of
Justice, Mercy and Faith looked down
upon jolly company of the Pope's
soldiers sprawled comfortably on a
wooden bench in corner, their glis-
tening halberds leaning against the
brilliant wall. There was a ringing
command uttered by some invisible
officer, and the next instant the row
of red. black and yellow guards was
saluting Il stately, scarlet cardinal,
who passed without raising his eyes.
'Imaginc the feelings of a young
American writer moving through that
palace of 1000 rooms to interview
a king without territory, trying to
preserve his heather news instincts
in such surroundings! A burly, white
haired scrvltor in crimson silk and
knee breeches met us at the outer
door of the Pope's apartments, and
to him delivered the document which
called me to the Vatican. Through
one splendid chamber after another
he led us. among historic tapestries
and princcly trappings Of bygone pom
tiffs, until we reached the throneroom.
''Here we sat until Leo MIL, was
ready to receive us in the next room.
The great golden throne under the
royal canopy was the gift Of the work.
ingmen Of Rome to the Pope Above
it shone triple crown, surmounting
the azure shield, silver bar and cy.
press tree of the Pecci family. The
Pope is proud to sit on throne given
to him by the toilcrs of his own coun-
try.
"Aftcr a while smiling chamber
1oS in, In Gil H.. I, n,&
gold chain hung about his neck, came
from the inner chamber. He chatted
with Mgr. Rocker and myself for Il
few moments and then, opening the
door, preceded us into the presence
of the august head of the Christian
world. There sat, behind all the pOmp
and ceremony, gentle old man, with
the saddest eyes that ever looked out
of a human hcad-the white shepherd
Of ChristendOm. He sat in n chair
of crimson and gold, yet quite close
to Il table. Behind him was a carved
figure Of the Virgin, and near it n
smaller throne. He wore a skull cap
Of white watered silk and n snowy
cassiclk flowing gracefully about his
frail figure, a plain cross of gold hang
ing upon the sunken breast. 1t was
a presence at once appealing and ma
jestic.
GAS we advanced to salute the Pope
he held out his thin, white hand, on
which cleaned n great emerald. 1t
was the fishcrman's ring, the sign Of
Apostolic authority throughout the
world. We knelt and kissed the out
stretched hand, and Mgr. Rocker
being a Catholic-reverently pressed
his lips to the gold embroidered cross
on the Pope's crimson velvet slipper.
His holiness babe us be seated beside
him. There was surprising vigor in
his gestures, and his voice was clear,
deep and unwavering.
"'You are very young he remarked
4 expected to see an older man. But
your nation is also young 1t is hard
to describe the delicate courtesy and
benignity Of Leo NILS manner.
"T have a claim upon Americans
for their respect he said, with kind.
ling eyes, because 1 love them and
their country. I have Il great tender
ness for those who live in that land
Professionals and all. Under the con.
stitution of the United States, reli-
gion has perfect liberty. and is q grow