The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-15
NEW PAPAL SECRETARY
EXCELLENT QUALITIES AsCRIBED To
RAMPOLLA's SUCCESSOR.
Said to BE Modest, Capable and Con-
cIIfatory-ItaIian Cardinals
Not Pleased.

iatory''-a famous cardinal thus sums up
the character of Merry Del Val, the new
papal secretary OF state. successor to the
powerful Rampolla and the crafty Anto-
nelh. / was permitted to take down his
Eminence's words in shorthand
II made Merry Del vaIs acquaintance
when he was quite a young man. at the
time when his father held the post Of Span
ish ambassador to Rome. The old gentle
man was a Jovial. open-hearted man, who
made friends wherever he went. Like most
Spaniards, he was somewhat demonstrative
In conversation, but none doubted his per-
feet good faith and honesty.
You cannot ina CINE two persons more
different In outward demeanor than the
ambassador and his Merry. The ia
Their was wont 10 speak in loud voice,
slapped you heartily the back. was de-
voted to the pleasures of the table and
good wine. while the young man seemed
paragon or gentleness and reserve. L con-
fess / never saw a more modest young
man OF great name and fortune. Indeed.
persons unacquainted with the son of the
house. who ran across him in the great
reception rooms of the embassy palace,
thought him a mere clerk. Afterwards.
seeing their mistake they usually became
the more eager 10 be introduced to the
promising monsigner. particularly as Mer-
ry even thus early in his career, held con-
fdential relations with the Vatican. He
was friendly with the all-powerful Ram
polla-and there was was not prince OF
the church or of the high Roman aristoc-
racy who did not have favors TO ask Of
Pope Leo's right-hand man and adviser.
"For that reason Merry became much
sought-after man and was fairly inundated
with fattery and offers OF patronage. Yet
I do not remember a single instance that
those who fawned upon him succeeded In
their purpose. Despite that. Merry retained
his reputation for perfect amiability; there
you have demonstration OF his diplomatic
talents. I myself always found him the
essence OF kindness and courtesy and ex-
cellently well informed on subjects in which
a young prelate, with one foot in the Vat
lean, might take an interest-science and
art. history of the church and Of politics,
canonical law and knowledge OF persons
and things that rule the world.
LUCKY IN UNDERTAKINGS.
''Merrys mother called him "a child Of
good fortune and he was, indeed, lucky IN
everything he undertook. Only during one
short period Of his life his career received
a setback That happened when he quar-
relied with Rampolla- But the storm soon
blew over. and Merry's ascendency was
only the more rapid afterward.
1.-THE new secretary of state led the very
life calculated to fit him for his great post.
He had occasion to visit all the courts of
Europe, hobnob with sovereigns and lead
Ing statesmen. and-always kept his eyes
Open The late Leo XIII once assured me
that Merry never went anywhere, and
never met anybody, without gaining a
heap Of information that some day or
other might prove OF benefit to him.
Merry Is at home in all the great cities
Of Italy and Spain; that means he knows
their leading men and their capabilities,
idiosyncracies and needs. He Is probably
better acquainted with the Catholic party
OF Great Britain than any other officer of
the Vatican No, do not even except RAM
polla-'
Here I remarked that I ne er heard of
Merry Del Val making an extended stay in
France.
THAT is correct" replied the emnence.
unlike his predecessor, Merry del Val has
no special sympathies for France. Ram
polla had too much OF that commodity
you know. and his extraordinary fondness
many mistakes.
"Merry's friendship with Rampolla dates
from the time when the former secretary
Of state was nunicus in Madrid. Rampolla
being a friend of the family, made haste
to take the young priest under his pro-
tecting wing. when the ambassador was ac-
credited In Rome. With such patron,
the Spaniard soon rose to the rank of pre-
L. x~-fSh
such attracted Leo Nils attention
DEL VAL AND LEO XIII.
Like Rampolla. the late Pontiff became
exceedingly fond OF Merry. "A charming
young man. he used to say, talks like the
books / am most fond Of
This was praise from Sir Peter, in
deed. for all the world knows that Leo
read only the most advanced and scientific
works. being himself writer Of fine attain
nents. And here is the place to say that the
new secretary of state is one of the hes,
informed mer In the Vatican. He is able
TO talk with any stranger on any subject
In which the latter may be interested al
any time. There are some sovereigns, ]
know. who claim to possess the same fa-
cility. but upon investigation 1t will be
found that they are prompted for the part
they play. My personal experience is that
one cannot mention a subject on which
Merry has not the latest and fullest In
formation. AT the same time he Is far from
posing as q wandering encyclopedia While
fmparting information he acts as IL he was
seekin: an air Of modesty pervades al
he does and says.
las to the Merry-Rampolla imbroglio in
the year 1888. there several versions
Some say that Rampclla got jealous OF
Merry because of the favor shown him by
Leo XIII. He Is also said to have accused
Merry of utilizing the long walks he took
with the Pope In the Vatican gardens tc
advocate measures the secretary of state
had not previously approved Of.
Again IL was given out that Merry had
proposed the names OF certain people fol
office. which Rampolla intended for others
The following version seems to be the
most likely one: Merry desired to become
nuncius In Brussels. which post Rampolla
refused him the ground that he must
send an italian to the Belgian capital As
a matter of fact. he appointed German
the Prince OF Croy. and. OF course Merry
considered himself sighted. or even be
- To l.