The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-07-11
A BRILLIANT SCENE
BEFORE THE VATICAN
Anxious plenItarles of state and
Church Roll ceaselessly to the
Doors In Handsome Equip
ages to Read Bulletins.

Rome. July 11.-12:10 a. ma general
feeling of tranquility marked the day in
Rome Yesterday. The self confidence OF
the patient permeates the people espe-
cially the simpler folk, who go about thelr
davis work postponing signs OF sorrow
and mourning until from the sick bed IT.
self they hear that the unequal struggle
is nearing its end. Therefore, there Is
almost apathy, except for the marvellous
medical history Of recoveries and relapses
which have 80 astonished the world this
week. That no doctor will lend the weight
of his opinion to uphold the popular i'm
preston Of recovery, in no way Affects the
prevailing idea Of the Romans. Nothing is
more wonderful than the pope himself,
they say, hence miracles are not out OF
question.
News of yesterday mornings operation
sent cardinals and ambassadors driving
hurriedly to the vatican. The sombre
black carriages and horses of the former,
relieved only by glimpses of the scarlet
robes worn by the palefaced occupants,
contrasted strangely with the brilliant
eauipages of the ambassadors. Outside
st. Peters the ordinary visitors hurried
past the Swiss guards and ascended the
staircase leading to the inner court of
the vatican.
Sun Beats Fiercely Down.
The sun beat fiercely on the plain white
shutters which shelter the pope's room
and all eyes were turned towards him.
Compared with the magnihcence below,
with the bewildering colors OF the papal
court and the rich attire of the guards,
the shuttered windows are peasant-ike
In their simplicity. Another window
caught the eye. This was open and the
sun streamed in on Raphaers priceless
frescoes and lighted up the marble por-
tico. within there said a papal at
tendant the rooms are all ready for
Oreglia, the cardinal deacon. who will
reign during the interregnum."
The same grim preparation Is apparent
on all sides. Count Peccl, nephew of
the dying pope, wearing straw hat and
fannels, sat in the fire engine house ops
posite the private entrance to the vatican
chatting with the firemen. Carriage af-
ter carriage drove into the court. The
French German and other ambassadors
descended to make inquiries Prince Mas
sino, looking almost as venerable the
pope himself, the head of one of the
most ancient families In Rome, all the
cardinals and countless bishops and
priests came to await the bulletin.
Crowd Besieges Door.
small crowd of men, women and chill
dren of all descriptions, besieged the door
where the news was to be given out.
From the castle of st. Angelo came the
boom of the midday gun and then the
palatine guard gave the signal for the
anxious crowd to be admitted. Passing
through the corridor each received slip
of white paper on which the morning bull
letin was already printed Intently read
ing these papers the crowd filed out
through another door. past the armed
guard and into the quiet streets. Dur
ing the remainder of the day but few OF
the public sought the vatican. Then
came the night bulletin and far larger
crowds than had gathered during the day
wandered to the vatican in the cool of
the evening. The Swiss guards had re-
ceived Instructions to admit only a small
portion of the inquirers prior to the
printing Of the bulletin, and this restrict
ed number almost filled the court of the
vatican, while many waited in suspense
on the steps of st. Peters.