Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-25

Rome, July Z0.--Dur1ng the early hours this morning the piazza of St Peters was not so crowded with persons desirous of viewing the body of Leo XIII as on the two preceding days; but, before long it became known that the opportunity would cease at noon and all those who had been waiting until the last moment hurried to the cathedral. This rush produced a heaving, struggling group of humanity which the police had some difficulty in handling Meanwhile the cafes ill the vicinity and the vendors of post cards and small objects bearing Leo's likeness were liberally patronized.
 It seems to have been the firm con- viction of many persons that their chil- dren had received some benefit from seeing the pope, as, this morning, whole families were conducted to St Peters. One peasant entered the chapel with two months baby in his arms.
 "Please be careful-don't push" he pleaded vainly. Both his ribs and those of the baby suffered until sol dier deliberately took the screaming child from it's fathers arms and or dered the parent to come later for it at the police station.
 It having been remarked that the whole scene of the lying in state was wanting in light, those passing scarce Iy being able to see the features of the late pope. especially as they were not allowed to pause before the body, the authorities of the vatican added this morning to the fickering candles a line of electric globes. fixed over the 0P fho nh of 10 S0p the rays falling directly on the face of the late pontiff, which seemed to be cut in stone, and illuminated 1t with great clearness.
 The body will be buried at sunSat this evening.
 Y Almost all the cabinet ministers vis- sted St Peter's to-day.
 Each train brings new cardinals. During the night Cardinal Perraud, archbishop of Anton, arrived. as did Cardinal Herroro Espinosa, archbish- op of Valencia, who, having been ere ated a cardinal at the consistory pre- ceding the death of the pope, has not vet received the red hat. But this does not invalidate his elevation nor lessen bis position in the conclave. He was received by the Spanish ambassador to \ the vatican and they both went this morning to St Peters, entered the chapel and knelt beside the bier, re- maining there, praying for some time.
 Cardinal Waliani, the nuncio at Vi enna, who was also created cardinal at the last consistory; Cardinal Coos sens, archbishop of Mechlen, and Car dinal Gruscha, archbishop of Vienna, also arrived here this morning. The latter received before his departure from Vienna instructions from the Aus trian government concerning the con- clave.
 When the time came to take the fish, errnan's ring from Pope Leo's finger, 1t has just developed, another was found in It's place This did not surprise any one, as generally the pontitf does not wear it, the ring being less of an orna- ment than an unused seal. At the first meeting of the congregation of cardi- nals after the pope's death, when the famous ring should have been broken, the ceremony was omitted and 1t was put on record that the ring, for the mo- ment, could not be found, The fisher mans ring is known to have been lost twice before.
 Among the state papers preserved at Simancas, near Valladolid, Spain, is letter from Count Olivares, then Span ish ambassador at Rome. to rt-illip II, dated September 5, 15SS, saying:
 '.Sixtus V has been very i'll from anx- iety and vexation. The vexation to which refer was at missing the fish erman's ring. He carried 1t with him In a purse and he discovered that he had been robbed of it by cup-bearer. Unless the publicity given to the affair obliges him to punish the man, he will not do so, or even dismiss him, such is his affection for those who serve him. The pope would do anything to avoid showing the world that his confidence had been abused"
 Rome, July 25.-In September, 1899, Pope Leo was one day insistently asked for an audience by an under servant, and yielding to curiosity granted 1t, whereupon the man entered and, kneel- ing, said:
 ''Your holiness. I have to restore to you what has been loss not only to you but to the world"
 After these words the man proffered the pope the fisherman's ring, which he had found. Pope Leo looked at 1t in surprise and solemnly putting 1t on his finger, said:
 "The thanks of the church are due to you, my son. I shall see that you are rewarded
 The next day the man called at the treasury and was given $3.
 The ring has never been seen since. as Pope Leo privately hid it or locked it away, unseen by anyone, so great was his fear of losing if again. So far it has not been discovered but the vati- can authorities assure the Associated Press that the ring will undoubtedly be found.
 On two other occasions the ring was taken from the papacy by force. Tn 1897 the French republicans. invading the papal states. despoiled Plus VI @f all his yaluables, and among them of the fiisherman's ring. It was returned the next day as it bad no intrinsic value.
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