New-York tribune., 1903-07-21

the difficult and arduous post OF nuncio TO the
court of Brussels In compliance with the rule
which demands that all nuncios shall be of eps-
copal rank the young monsignor, although bare
ly thirty-three years old, was consecrated Arch
bishop of Damietta before starting for Belgium
During the three years which he spent at Brus-
sells Monsignor Pecci became exceedingly popu-
lar. both at court and with the masses He was
famed for his brilliant repartee and delicate wit
as much as for his clever diplomacy, and soon
grew to be particular favorite Of cynical and
thinking old King Leopold. While at Brus-
sells he likewise became acquainted with Queen
Victoria. and in response to a pressing invitation
on her part spent a month in London before re-
turning to Rome. This delay prevented his
reaching the Eternal City in time to see Pope
Gregory alive. The latter died suddenly in May,
1886 few days only after having signed the
appointment OF the young nuncio to the bishop
ric Of Perugia- While in London he was re-
ceived in audience by the Queen. and likewise
dned with her at Buckingham Palace. In late
years he was won't to describe the conversation
with the Queen, nine years younger than him
self, with great enthusiasm, and had not suffi-
cient words in which to praise her grace and
amiability and TO explain how profoundly
touched he was by the conversation and senti-
ments expressed by her. He ended by saying
that he would never forget that meeting, and It
would seem as though he had not done So be-
cause when he came TO the Pontifical throne as
Leo XIII there exchange of warm COM
pliments and reminder of the conversation of
thirty-two years before. and every New Year
the aged Pope and Queen personally wrote each
other few lines
NOT FOND OF Plus THE NINTH.
It would perhaps be too much TO say that
Pope Plus TX and the Bishop Of Perugia disIiked
each other but the two men were so utterly
different in character, temperament and tastes
that their relations purely formal and off,
cial. The bishop withdrew to Perugia on the
accession of Plus, and seldom visited Rome The
Pope delayed making him cardinal for seven
years after the termination Of his mission as
nuncio, although, according 10 custom, this
honor should have been conferred upon him at
once. 1t is not at all strange that the two men
found little in common Plus loved hustle and
movement and the applause of great crowds; he
hated solitude and could not hear 10 commune
with himself: he surrounded himself with sort
of kitchen cabinet of gossips and cronies who
could amuse him by telling stories 1t was said
that he never read book during the thrty-two
years of his Pontfcate, and that nearly all his
encyclicals were written by Monsignors NocelIa
and MeTcurelli, Bishop Pecc on the other hand
was reticent except to congenial friends and
loved solitude and books. He disliked exceed
ingly the tittletattle Of society and found moth
ing interesting in promiscuous crowds poet
a Latinist and thorough student of church
history and theology, he found nothing congo
NAL IN the lively encourage Of Plus TX For
thirty-one years he performed with scrupulous
fidelity his duties as Bishop of Perugia. He
was never candidate for the Pepacy but DIR
ing the latter years of this period he could not
fail 10 know that many instinctively looked TO
him as the most fit successor Of the reigning
Pope. 1t is said, indeed. that Antoneln had pre-
dicted his election, and used all his influence to
keep him from visiting Rome, believing that he
would be stronger as candidate if completely
independent Of the little cabals of the Eternal
City. He was a member Of several of the Con-
gregatons Of Cardinals, among them those of
Rites Of the Council, Of Bishops and Of Regu-
! lars, and deeply impressed his fellow cardinals
by his ability. learning and tact. Even the
Pope could not fail TO recognize his fitness for
promotion. and in September. 1877. appointed
him TO the important ofice of Cardinal Gamer
lengo which post had become vacant by the
death of Cardinal de Angels. When Plus TX
died on February Z. 1873, Cardinal Pecci became
by virtue Of his office the head of the Church
until the election OF new Pope. He arranged
for the funeral OF Plus received the Catholic
ambassadors and superintended the prepara-
tions for the conclave. Sxty-two cardinals
went into the concave. and on February IS
1873. they elected Cardinal Pecci Pope by accIa-
nation Prince Chigi. the marshal OF the con-
clave, was the first TO be admitted 10 the pres
ence Of the Pope-elect. BY what name" he
asked. does Your Holiness choose to be made