The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-07-21


Joachim Pecci was Of most impressive
presence, even when young man, and in
his old age, when pope, he seems TO have
been positively awe inspiring. Most read
ers viii remember the reports Of the meet
ing OF the pontiff and the young emperor
Of Germany a few years ago. The Teutonic
monarch. who had never before been
abashed, Is far as the records go. was as
timid as schoolboy before the serene,
white haired old man, who, though his rule
was entirely spiritual. was the acknowl
edged head Of the greatest division Of the
Christian church lis personal appear
ance is thus described by one to whom an
audience was accorded in 1892:
she was tall and slender to attenuation
His visage was an almost Heshless mask,
his complexion Of waxy pallor, but his
ewes were clear and luminous He would
be ascetie Of look under one aspect and
penetratingly keen under another, but the
general one was Of sweetness. and kindli-
ness Judging from bis face and general
appearance, the first impression given by
him was that of a man largely endowed
with common sense. The full, broad brow
likewise indicated a brilliant intellect, and
she passing smile which occasionally fitted
across n EVAlANtltAAiNG Will II "a NANhf
care spoke rather Of melancholy than of
mirth."
Az an audience described by an American
who was present all fell upon their knees
when the pope came in, but at a sign from
oneof the monsignores, who acted as cham
berlain, all resumed their places With anne
chanical air the pontin. after bowng, began
talking with the man who sat aearest the
door. Individual munitions were followed
as to etiquette by all present When the
nope gave his hand, some raised 1t to the
forehead and others TO the lips others, fall
ing on their knees, kissed the cross on the
pontiffs foot. One man shook the pope's
hand heartily
There was no talking except between the
none and those to whom he found time to
give attention. No one was passed entirely
unnoticed, and in one case in which poor
woman cried with a sob in her voice, 70
holy father give your blessing to our sonr'
I,eo,s ewes were suifused with tears, and be
bent over her and talked for some time
one woman tried hard to impress him with
her own Importance by declaring that the
cardinal in her town was great friend O
hers When the round of the. room had
been completed, the pope stepped into The
center Of the apartment, and making tht
sign of the cross Ia the air gave the apos
toiic blessing and retired. The audience
was at an end
Leo was often annoyed by Anonymous
communications, and it was his custom t
give to them as little attention as possible
On one occasion, shortly after he was mad
none. he received one in which severe crit
cisms were passed upon the papal body
guard Of mobiles. He had not read NOR
than half dozen lines when, calling to tn
officer on duty, he handed the letter to him
saving, II have not read II through. Perus
it il YOU like and then throw It u the fire.
Great alike in great things and small, th
late pontif had the royal faculty OF forget
ting neither persons nor things. In 1887 a.
the old pupils Of the Convent OF the sacre
Heart at Belgium, to whom he had distrit
uted prizes in 1s4s, when be was papal nun
clio at Brussels, united in sending him a
address. CHANGING over the signatures b