The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-12

be seen in the streets of Rome The
better Italian people would make room for
him, take off their hats as he passed and
show MIN every mark of respect. But
there are fanatics i'm Rome, some one of
whom might feel that ne was doing the
state service by killing the Pope. 1
believe his life would be in greater dan
ger than that of the Kings Of Italy
Mr.. Crawford says the Pope's physical
activity has been somewhat curtailed with
the advance of age THE Pope he said,
will be ninety-two years old in March.
Since 1873, when he made Pope, he
has had an amazingly active life. He used
TO be up before o'clock in the morn
ing. and often ne sat UP all night at his
desk. He had personal supervision of all
the accounts of the Vatican, and he made
those about him no less active than him
self. All the accumulation of superhuous
ecclesiastics and dependents disappeared
from the Vatican shortly after he took
control. and the affairs of the church since
that time have been conducted on a strict
ly economical business basis. The Pope
himself chooses the investments for the
funds of the church. and il is significant
of the feeling Of Leo XIII toward the
Italian government that in spite of the
permanent opposition of church and state,
most of the churchs money is invested in
bonds of the Italian government The
credit of the government. by the way, was
never better. Italian currency, which has
been at a discount for many years, is
now at par, and that result is due, / be-
lieve, to the conversion of the national
debt. The Rothschilds are said to be in
terested in it
Returning to the question of the Popes
health, 1 quoted to Mr.. Crawford the para
graph from Rome which said that the
Pope was annoyed by the repeated reports
of his death. and that he was working
eight hours day. Mr.. Crawford shook his
head.
ONE OF THE GREATEST POPES.
1.-THE Pope when aroused has all his old
mental vigor." he said. when he receives
visitors he is his old alert self But 1 I'M
derstand that he takes much more rest
than formerly and that he has not the
physical strength and ceaseless mental &C
tivity of a few years ago. At his age life is
very uncertain. He may live year or sew
eral years. His death will be a great loss
to the Catholic Church. for he has been one
of the greatest Popes as well as one of the
most brilliant men of his time Who will
be his successor? No one could venture a
prediction that would be of any value.
Whoever it may be. it will be a lesser man
than Leo XIII-perhaps as much less as he
has been greater than his predecessor
Mr.. Crawford's life of the Pope is prac-
ticaIly complete but for the closing chapter
He is busy just now with novel, the scene
to be laid in Florence at the time of Dante
He has even had the courage to make
Dante one of his characters. In this tale
will be developed the true story of Fran
cesca da Rimini, which was the basis of the
play which Mr.. Crawford wrote for Sarah
Bernhardt. Nine. Bernhardt has signed a
contract to produce this play before July,
1903. 1t was reported recently that she
would produce d'Annunzio's Francesca da
Rimini'' instead. Naturally Mr.. Crawford
had a lively interest in the first production
of that play by Duse. which occurred at
Rome recently. The criticisms were gen.
orally adverse to it and Mr.. Crawford had
a private cable message saying that it was
not a success. But it remains to be seen
whether it is" he said to me- "At any
rate, have no doubt Nine. Bernhardt will
produce my play. have joined the French
contract with her is made under their rules
and provides for forfeit. She announced
last summer in the French papers that
she would produce the play, and 1 have
perfect confidence in her promise"
This is the first play you have written
without the aid of a collaboration. is it
not?' 1 asked.
"Oh. dear, no" said Mr.. Crawford. laugh
inc hay
that branch of literature of which. fortu-
nately. the reading public has known little.
or has, hope forgotten what it may have
known. 1t is entirely distinct from any
other class of writing. but find it very in
teresting. and in recent years have had a
gratifying success in it. I hope this last
play is the best thing 1 have ever done
GEORGE GRANTHAM Balm.