The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-21
CHARACTERISTIC STORIES
ABOUT POPE LEO XIII.

. A1
Pope Leo was the 25sth occupant of the
chair of st. Peter. His tastes were liter
sary, but he also showed excellent abilities
as an administrator
I The first post assigned him was the
| governorship of the papal province Of Ben
eyento. Brigandage was rife and the task
OF suppressing 1t was an arduous one.
Class discussions had risen almost to the
point Of open rebellion, and the situation
demanded the exercise of the highest quail
lilies Of diplomatic firmness and sound
Judgment. The papal delegate soon en-
countered the active opposition of the no
bles and officials in his efforts to right
the sufferings and wrongs of the peas
antry. An impeachment was carried to
Rome The delegate was accused before
Gregory of undermining the legitimate
authority of the lords of the soil, of
openly siding with the peasantry, and in
citing them to disaffection. In word, he
was charged with being revolutionary
ruler, and his critics declared that II he
were permitted to remain the province
would be lost to the patrimony of Peter,
But the pope refused to interfere. To the
delegate was permitted the fullest dtscre-
ton in policy and methods, and he rap
idly worked out the difficult problem.
Many Incidents are told Illustrating ms
energy and vigor in dealing with the law
less brlgands and their secret supporters.
On one occasion q certain noble who was
suspected of secret sympathy with the
bands Of robbers that were terrorizinS the
country came before the delegate with an
air OF injured innocence and threatened to
complain to Rome Of the interference with
his authority over his tenants.
'Have you given the matter enough
khought?" asked mdnsignor quietly
Certainly" replied the MARQUIS
IT don't agree with you." responded the
pope's representative. I'm these matters
one cannot reflect too much, and you VIII
favor me by remaining here as my pris-
oner.'
That night the mobiles castle was sur
rounded and twenty-eight brigands who
made it their headquarters We're killed on
made prisoners.
In January, 1s43 when SO years Of age,
Mgr Pecci was sent as Apostolic Nunc1o
to BRUSSELS His rare tact and remark
able gift Of diplomatic power soon won for
him position and influence in the Protest
ant court Of King Leopold l. At the din
ner table and in tho drawing room he was
at once the dignified representative OF his
church and the keenly observant man OF
affairs. Any who in pleasantly sought tt
pierce the clerical armor were quite sure
to retire discounted. It is related that, al
dinner given In the salon of Charles
Lever, q certain marquis handed to the
Nuncio for his inspection an elegant snuff
box, having upon the cover the figure o
a very lovely Venus. The members Of thu
party watched the progress of the joke
with lively interest and the marquis wa
quite unable to restrain his amusement
The Nuncio examined the trinket gravely
and then deferentially passed 1t back witt
the remark: Tires jolie! Est ce le por
trait de Madame Ia Marquis?" Over.
handsome! Is it the portrait OF you
wifeD
During his sojourn at the Belgian cap1
tai he gained a considerable knowledg
of the English people, and some littl
acquaintance with the language as vel
He got q glimpse, too Of England itsel
during a months visit to London in 184t
At the end Of three years, the Nuncio'
health compelled him to seek release fror
the rather unfavorable climate Of Brus
sells His leave-taking from the king wa
characteristic.
'T am SO sorry" said King Leopold
shat I cannot be converted, but you ar
so winning theologian that shall as
the pope to give you a cardinals hat.
''Ah," said the Nuncio, ''but that woul
be a poor subStitute-since you mentio
tt for an impression on your heart. "
81 have no heart" said the king.
'Then on your head" were the Nuncio
parting words.
Mr. Thaddeus an eminent English ar
lst who painted portrait of the ponti
soon after his accession, said of him:
Pope Leo XIII is Of medium heigh
His attenuated figure is bent by STUD
Ind the weight Of years, but In ever
movement he Is astonishingly quick al
energetic. His head is a most remarl
hble one, once seen never to be forgotte
with it's every feature out Of strict pr
portion. yet with the harmony Of tt
whole. The small, bright, rapid eyes, $
close together, denote the man who
ever on the search; the largely develop
aquiline nose, capacity for dominatio
THE mouth, when under pleasing inf
ence, forms into an exceedingly W1o
sweet smile, its benevolent expressi
Frightening the whole face and supplyl
the benignity which Is less observable
the eyes, The. ears, like the hands a.
feet, are exceptionally large and lor
The skin Is so thin-a rare thing wi
italians, and much admired by them
a sign Of high breeding-that perfe
network of blue veins is visible over
the white, ascetic face. His holiness
gifted with the fire and implse Of you
& without its accompanying physi
strength. and feels keenly the d1sa bll1t
of age. When he saw my portrait for
last time he thoughtfully remarked
look of years, and advised me to rene
Der. when painting another pope, u
.popes are Of no age.
In one of his pastorals as archbish
Mgr Pecci first put himself officially
record in a most liberal attitude .tows
scientific investigation and progress. SO
of his words were:
If the universe is indeed a book on every
Of which are inscribed the name and wisdom
God it Is certain that he Will be most hlled
the love of God, will come most near to {
who has studied this book most deeply and
tently. Why should the church be jealous
the wonderful progress Of our age IN Qbserva
and discovery? Bacon, so eminent In seize
has said: "A little knowledge leads away I
Cod but much knowledge leads back to Gt
This golden saying Is always trus and II
church fears the ruin that may be wrought
the vain ones who think they Understand bees
they have sma ttering. she has entire trus
those who apply seriously and profoundly to
study Of nature, for she knows that at the
of their search they will find GOD, who In
His works reveals himself with his attrtb
of Power, Wisdom and Goodness"
The popes attitude upon the i
question attracted universal attention.
distinctly antagonized the Land Leaf
and, by implication, at first the home
agitation, his first utterance upon
CAUSES OF HAY FEVER