The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-12
. oME, July 11-Although the vast 2 wealth of which the pope is mas

OhdH1 July 1L--Altnoush tne vast
 wealth of which the pope is mas
 ter Is known or counted by no man, and although he lives in the largest palace and greatest treasure house of art in tho world, 1t is estimated after a care fui and detailed calculation, that Leo XIII. personally spends in one year for food. clothes, books, etc. The sum of se00-slse a dayl
 Out of the HOO immense rooms of which his palace Is composed the supreme pontiff occupies just four a bedroom a private library, a private study and little room where he often takes an afternoon siesta, leaving the 109B salons for his court and for the priceless art treasures gathered under his roof. He opens his eyes each morning in a modest chamber no better furnished than the bedrooms of scores of his humble clergy. while just outside his door are riches of art and literature, old furniture and curios which sovereigns dream of and cannot possess. The bed room has aicoye in which stands his bed, wardrobe and a prie-dieu. above which is a magnificent crucifx in ivory ard ebony.
 The alcove is divided by yellow curtains from the main part of the room, which has merely a writing desk, a table, some arm chairs and one or two pictures. This room Leo XIII. carefully locks every time he leaves 1t, and there being only two keys, one in his pocket and one in that of his faithful attendant, Pic Centra, no one can possibly peep in unnvited. The reason for this excessive caution is cu- rtous. His holiness used to do his liter ary work here and fearing that his hand writing 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 pieeed together by some persistent autograph hunter
 Out of the bedroom is small chapel, not much more than an altar with door before it. where his holiness says mass every morning.
 He Forgot the Count.
 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 busts of several of the former popes It was here that Count Edward Soderlni, who does much writing for Leo XIII, was locked up on one occasion for twenty four hours, constantly at work. with practically nothing to eat. It Is related that the pope put the count in the l- brary, and himself kept the key, with the idea that he should have quiet and peace, and during this time came occasionally to the door with bottle of claret and a few biscuits in hand, asking Soderini how he was getting on, and after administer ing slight refreshment disappeared as noiselessly as he came. quite forgetting
 time was passing and that one must
 to. live.
 The private study in which all his ele- gant and perfect Latin poems have been written has a table and a chair on a raised dais, besides other tables and chairs, and out of thts is the little ''siestae room. which contains nothing but an uncomfort- able sofa and an old worn easy chair, with wings, which invites slumber.
 That is all-four single rooms in which the pope fits about like a dsembodied spirit in his white robes and his noiseless slippers. It will have been observed that no mention has been made of dining room. and, in fact, he has none, 1t being his habit to havo a small table set wher- ever he may find himself at the hours for meals Leo XIII. has very small appe- tite. and as papal etiquette refused him Ine company or any one at taDle ne makes eating as short and simple a ceremony as possible.
 What the Pope Eats.
 Tn the morning after mass he takes a
 'e with perhaps a bread roll,
 butter. At 1 o'clock he has -.ierely a plate 'ce soup, one slice of roast meat with one vegetable, followed 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 fire lasts him until 6, when he takes a cup of boui- lon and a small glass of wine. When his holiness goes to bed between 1 and Il, 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 thosef This is Sin striking contrast with the Ronan ban duets of yore. Must not the Ca sars turn in their graves at the deterioration of the gastronomic artl
 Even in later days such austerity was II practiced at the vatican. For exam J.e. Cardinal Antonelli. secretary of state z to Plus TX, one day looked over the &C., counts and found to his great surprise that for the meals of the pontif alone twenty-five sacks of coal were consumed in one month
 II IS Wlckeu waste. ne exclaimed to the popes cook "Ten sacks are ample" and he scratched fifteen out of the ac- count
 Plus TX, however. soon let it be known that his cuisine left something to be de- sired. and complained to his cup bearer Count Filippan The count forthwith went to the kitchen to make observations.
 But protested the cook offended, how can l serve a good dinner if am without coal?"
 Informed of what had passed. the pope ordered the cook his twenty-five sacks monthly, and in speaking of the incident to Cardinal Antonelli said reproachfully: You wish to economize, but the result is that l have nothing to eat The pope is made to be exploite every one steals about me, but why begin with the coal needed for my dinner?'
 Vatican etiquette is most stringent on the point that the pope must eat alone.