The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-22
THE LIFE OF LEO XIII.
Joachim Vincent Pecci's Birth al Carpineto and Rise to the
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 His late Holiness was born at -Carpi- neto. in the diocese of Anagni in the pa- pal Staes. on March g. lS10 being christ ened under the name of Joachim Vincent. The Society of Jesus. which 1t was af- rewards the first care of of his pontif- cate to restore to its ancient position in the councils of the church. entrusted with his education. young Pecci being sent at the age of years to the Jesuit College at Vibero. where he remained until his 14th year. At this time his mother died and he shortly afterwards proceeded to Rome to continue his stu dies at the Jesuit College in that city.
 When he was IS years old he secured the first prize for chemistry and physics. His aptitude for natural science. how ever. in no way interfered with his taste for literature and classical studies. and even in these early days he was re- markable for the elegance and purity of his Latin which subsequently, found such notable expressions not only in his encyclicals and ecclesiastical work, but in the higher plane of poetry. He ob- tained, in 1851, the decree of doctor of divinity and entered the academy of mo- ble ecclesiastics to study law and diplo- macy and thus qualify himself for join- ing what may be termed the papal dip- lomatic service and become conversant with the system of the spiritual govern ment. It was from the ranks of this official body that in these days a new Pontif Is almost invariably chosen.
 Receives Deaconate.
 In 1887 Joachim Vincent received the suo-deaconate and deaconate and on March IA of the same year Gregory XVI. made him domestic prelate, his first promotion, with the title of Monsignor. December 23, 1SS7 he was ordained priest hv "a aaxyn avct mass in the Chapel of St. Stanislaus at the Jesuit Noviciate of St. Andread Early in 1888 Monsignor Pecci was named Governor of the papal province of Ben evente and. like Sixtus w., busted him. self with the suppression of brigandage In connection with this work the fol- lowing story was told Of Monsignor Pecci: A certain Marquis called one day to protest against what he considered the interference of the Governor and inform ed the later that he was just starting for Rome to procure his recall.
 Have you considered the step well, Marquis?" asked Monsignor Pecci.
 "Yes. Monsignor." said the other, and I'm going at once.''
 To this the Governor rejoined:
 Resolutions of this kind should be well considered at leisure. You will do me the honor of staying here for the present"
 That same night the Marquis's castle was surrounded and twenty eight bri- gands. of whom he was patron and chief, were arrested or shot.
 From Benevento Monsignor Pecci was transferred to the Governorship of Peru gia. where he remained for a year and a half. The young ecclesiastic in 1S43 was called to exercise his talents in a more important post. being consecrated Bishop of Damietta in Partibus, and sent to Brussels as >papal nuncio It was as rep resentative of the Vatican in the Belgian capital that he first gained the political insight and. experience which have been one of the political principal characters of his tenure of the pontifical throne.
 Recall to Italy.
 Monsignor Pecci remained over three years in Belgium and on his recall to Italy was decorated with the grand cor don of the Order of Leopold.
 After leaving Brussels. the nuncio paid a visit to London. This was in February, 1S46, and in the same year he was conse- crated ArQhbishop of Perugia. He con- tinued in this position for thirty-two years, which intervened before his cleo