Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-20

ly after this afternoon. His last mo- ments were preceded by periods of insensibility. Around the bedside at the final moment were the cardinals, relatives and members of the papal court. Before lapsing into unconscious ness the dying pontiff feebly moved his lips, his last words being those used in bestowing the benediction. The news spread rapidly and caused pro- found sensation. The whole city is in mourning.
 Rome, July 2O.-An attempt to gather something regarding the pope's condition from the expression on the face of Centra, the pontiff's valet, as he opened the window of the room of his holiness at daybreak each morning has for days past been the last act of the night watchers in the piazzi of St Peter's before going to their we'll earned rest and being replaced by oth- CTS. This morning, as usual, their eyes were fixed upon the window, but time passed and still the shutters re- mained unsealed. Seconds grew into
 
 ment, and this fact produced indescrib- able animation among those gathered in the piazza. "What can it mean?" people asked. E'The pope must have passed away" With this idea in their mind some sped into the city, while others less precipitate besieged the bronze doors, which were being opened, to be received by the surly Swiss guards, who in bad Italian, told them to go away as they knew noth- ing of the pontiff's condition.
 The general depression was aug mented by the weather, the sky being very much overcast, producing what is called the Sirocco, which makes one dull and heavy and takes away all energy and spirit. This gave to St Peter's and the vatican more ma jestfc air, but abandoned and quite striking.
 As the morning wore on, but still early Cardinal Oreglia, the dean of the sacred college, who always has shown great eagerness to assume command, which, however, he cannot do until Pope Leo is actually dead, ar rived with considerable paraphernalia, plainly indicating that he had come to stay, ordering his carriage to go home and not return. After him came oth- CT princes of church, all with grave, preoccupied faces, who returned each others greetings with such expres- sions as "I have not slept at all" One man was heard to say, ''I think we are at the end" ''Or the beginning" retorted a bystander to the cardinal who spoke, the latter being consider ed very likely to be the next pope. Eight cardinals, an unusual number for such an hour, had by this time gathered and they went anxiously for ward, followed at a respectful distance by the others present. When the bull letin announcing the pontiff's condf- tion was posted, one in the assem- blaze said:
 His agony is almost over. What a happy release for him. Among the members of the sacred college pres ent was Cardinal Mathieu, who has attracted much notice by the assidu- ity with which he watches for the French ambassador.
 A stop has been put to the frequent visits made to Pope Leo's sick cham Der, although now the presence of callers would not harm him. While he was conscious these visits exhaust ed him. but it was his wish that visit ors should be admitted and the attend ing doctors thought it better not to cross him.
 The pope will die, one may say, in harness and if not standing, as he de clared he would, at least, performing his duties to the end. This morning the sick room was the quietest and most tranquil spot in the vatican. The pontiff lies on his bed, the pillows of which are not whiteE than his face, which has strange aspect, owing to his not having been shaved for so long. His hands are folded over the rosary which he has used for over 90 years. The famous arm chair, which, perhaps his holiness will never again enter, stands invitingly near, with his stick beside it. While Centra, his valet, prays and weeps before a huge crucffix, Dr Lapponi sits by the bed side ready for any emergency. The doctor from time to time rises noise lessly to administer noruishment, of which, this morning, the pontiff had taken none. Indeed. Dr Lapponi sue ceeded in having him swallow several teaspoonfuls of coffee, milk and brandy m1Xeu. 1uo SlIoHC6 or Lno SICK room is occasionally broken by a hack ing cough, due to the gathering of phlegm in Pope Leo's throat. These coughing spells have the effect of rousing the pontiff, causing him to open his eyes and revive slightly.
 The pontiff continues, now and then to mutter phrases, although uncon scious. His mind evidently returns ioIo I,; most before his illness began. At tht moment he is feeling about with his hands and moving his head from side to side, trying to lift himself, while ht murmurs:
 ssWhat crowds. What devotion. My dear people"
 Then, falling back, he sighs ani says:
 ooh, the weight of these robes. Car