The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-07-13

vespers, the German students, all in
scarlet cassocks, entered the cathedral.
Behind them came German friars in
rough hair cloth cassocks, and then
German nuns in conventual black and
white. These formed a procession and
kneeling first at one altar and then at
another, prayed aloud and in silence
for Pope Leo.
The congregation joined in the pro-
cession until the basilica was half
circled by a moving mass of color, and
when st. Peters tomb was reached
many hundreds followed the picture of
the Savior held aloft by a statuesque
monk. On one side of the brass rails,
which guard the entrance to the tomb,
knelt the nuns. Opposite, three deep,
were the shorn heads of the friars,
while in the center knelt the young
students, their scarlet cassocl1s making
a blaze of color, which stretched far
down the dmly lighted nave. For near
ly an hour no move or sound came
from these supplicants for Divine in
terposition, save every few seconds the
hoarse monotonous cry, Ora pro no.
bis" The dirge-liSe cadence of the
gutteral German voices quite drowned
the Italian choir, which still sang the
vespers from a neighboring altar The
rosary over the Germans filed out,
their heads still bent in prayer.
Room of the Pope.
AS many fantastic descriptions are in
circulation regarding the room where
Pope Leo lies, the representative of the
Associated Press has taken some pains
to secure an exact account from one of
the Pope's nephews, who sees his uncle
daily.
The room is large, bright and airy.
The walls are hung with pale green
and gold silk damask Entering it,
with the sun pouring through the am
pie window, is like a taste of spring. A
large curtain divides the room and is
generally drawn open, showing on the
right the modest narrow brass bed
covered with a red damask coverlet.
Even in his desperate condition Pope
Leo shows great dantiness with re-
gard to person performing a fulltoilet
whenever possible, and changing daily
his fine white hatiste night shirt. At
the head of the bed is a good picture of
the Madonna. beside a holy water font,
while in the middle of the adjacent wall
is an immense crucif1X, reaching from
floor to ceiling with an ivory figure of
Christ. At the foot of the bed stands
a very simple walnut writing desk, at
which the Pope has written the best of
his Latin poems. on the other side of
the curtain stands the now famous
armchair, which is most comfortable;
a small table, a few shelves, with the
Popes preferred books. and nothing
more.
The chamber gives the idea of ex-
IRENE simplicity, luxuries being rigor-
ously banished.
Wants to BE Alone.
Even in his present condition, Pope
Leo has great objection to having peo-
pie about him unless specially called,
so that except in the moments when
he was much worse DIR. Lapponi and
his valet themselves could not enter
unless he rang. Contra, the valet, who
| is most reluctant to leave the room,
| asked this morning if the Pontiff did
not think it better to have SOMEONE
| always to keep him company. Pope Leo
| TRANQUILITY replied:
Il am in good company" pointing to
| the large crucifix.
Now and then the Pope suspects that
something is being concealed from him,
so to-day after the visit of the doc
tors, when a copy of the medical bull
letin was brought in, he read it atten-
lively and then rang. To Contra, who
appeared in response to the bell, he
said abruptly:
Bring me another copy of the bull
letin," emphasizing the word "anoth-
err" and evidently thinking that the
first one had been doctored for his
benefit, as had been done before But
to-day Contra was able to triumphant
ly bring another identical with the
first.
He Talks Too Much.
One of the greatest difficulties is to
prevent the Pope from speaking too
much When someone is allowed to Wis
it him, he Immediately begins descrlb-
ing the satisfaction he felt at the greet
ings he received on the occasion of the
last jubilee and also at the manifesto
tons of sympathy from all parts of
the world during his present illness,
which he considers almost providential
to strengthen the influence of the Cath
Ole Church in the person of it's head.
Then either the doctor or one of his
nephews steps in and monopolizes the
conversation, obliging the Pope to be
silent, which he does not like at all.
1t is wonderful what different i'm
pressions people receive of the Popes
condition, according to their different
temperaments. For instance, the AS
ISOLATED Press correspondent was pres
ent when Cardinals Ferrata, Segna and
Cretoni left the sick room together
Cardinal Ferrata, rubbing his bands
together, said, The Holt Father is al
most convalescent We shall soon see
him in the VATICAN gardens again"
Cardinal Segna, making the sign of the
cross, sighed, "Our beloved Pontiff is
lost while Cardinal Cretoni, shaking
his head in doubt exclaimed, who
knows? He may die: still he may get
better"
Correspondents Getting Sick.
King Victor Emmanuel has given
orders to keep the Quirinal palace in
readiness, as he may come to Rome at
any time from his summer villa near
Turin on account of the Popes condi-
IStion or death. In any event the King
and Queen will return to Rome July
20.
In addition to Dr. Rossoni, five news
paper correspondents have been added
to those stricken with fever. The lat
ter have been taken TO the hospital.
kilograms of inquiry continue to
come from foreign governments. mes
sages from Bolivia, Argentine and
Peru arriving to-day
Morning Bulletin.
Rome, July u. $3.50 a. m-The follow