The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-07-18

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(The following story was mailed at
Rome before the last illness of Pope
Leo XIII:) .-: :-., ~.
ROME, July. 1-Although the vast
wealth Of which the pope is master is
known or counted by no man, and al
though he lives in the largest palace
and greatest treasure house of art in
the world, it is estimated, after a care
full and detailed calculation, that Leo
XIII personally spends in one year for
food, clothes, books, etc., the sum Of
$600-$1.66 day!
\: Out of the LOO immense rooms Of
which his palace is composed the SUI
preme pontin occupies just four, bed
room, private library, a private study
and a little room where he often takes
an afternoon siesta, leaving the 1895
saloons for his court and for the price
less art treasures gathered under his
roof. He opens his eyes each morning
in modest chamber no better fur
nished. than the bedrooms Of scores Of
his humber clergy, while just outside
his door are riches Of art and litera-
ture and curios which sovereigns
dream Of and cannot possess. The
bedroom has all a1cove in which stands
his bed, a wardrobe and srie- dieu,
above which is a magnificent crucifix
in ivory and ebony:
The alcove is divided by yellow cur
tains from the main part of. the room,
which has merely. a writing desk,
table, some armchairs and one or two
pictures. This room Leo XIII carefully
locks every time he leaves It, and there
being only two keys, one in his pocket
and one in that Of his faithful attend
ant, Pho Contra, no one can possibly
peep in unlimited. The reason for this
excessive caution is curious. His holi-
ness used to do his literary work there,
and, fearing that his handwriting
should fall into the possession of some
one who might sell it, he got into the
way of keeping the door locked, and
the habit has now become mechanical
When his manuscripts have been
copied or typewriter he tears the
originals in minute pieces to prevent
their being pieced together by some
persistent autograph hunter.
Out of the bedroom is a small chapel,
door before it, where his holiness says
mass every evening.
He Forgot the Court.
The library is large and lined with
books from floor to ceiling, in cases
made Of a peculiar yellow wood that
comes from Mexico, while the room is
adorned with the busts Of several of
the former popes. 1t was here that
Count Edward Soderini, who does
much writing for Leo XIII, was locked
up on one occasion for twenty-fo
hours, constantly at work, with prac-
tically nothing to eat. It is related
that the pope put the. count in the
library, and himself kept the key, with
the idea that he should have quiet and
peace, and during this time came, &C.
casionally to the: door with a. bottle of
| claret and a few biscuits: in hand, ask
ing =Soderint hoW#. he was getting on,
s1ig
ment,, ftsappeared as noiselessly. as lie
came; quite forgetting how time was
passing and that one must eat to live.
The private. study in which all his
elegant and perfect Latin poems have
been written has table and a chair on
a raised dais, besides other tables and
chairs, and out of this is the little
'siesta" room, which contains nothing
but an uncomfortable sofa and an old,
worn easy chair, with wings, which in
vites slumber.
That is all-four single rooms in
which the pope fits about like. dis
embodied spirit in his white robes and
eli
been observed that no mention has
been made of dining room, and in
fact, he has none, it being his habit to
have a small table set wherever he
may find himself. at the hours for
meals. Leo XIII has very small ap-
petite, and as papal etiquette refused
him the company of any one at table
he makes eating as short and simple
ceremony as possible.
What the Pope Eats.
In the morning after mass he takes
a cup of coffee, with perhaps a bread
roll, but without butter. At 1 o'clock
he has merely plate of soup, one slice
Of roast meat with one vegetable, fol-
lowed by some fresh fruit; or perhaps
he will have fish, but never fish and
meat at the same meal: The whole is
| washed down by good wine,. the gift Of
some faithful friend or disciple. This
limited bill of fare lasts him until 6,
when he takes a cup of .boulllon and a
small glass of wine. When his holi-
ness goes to bed, between 10 ana H.
he takes a smaller cup Of .bouillon and
chicken wing, and the menu of the
day Is accomplished. Who would need
a dining room for such repasts as
those? This is in striking contrast
with the Roman banquets Of yore
Must not the Caesars turn in their
graves at the deterioration of: thu
| gastronomic art!
| Even in later days such austerity
was not practiced at the Vatican. Fol
example. Cardinal Antonelli, secretar,
of state to Plus TX, one day looked
over the accounts and found to his
great surprise that for the meals OF
I ft,a