Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-07-06
AlexamNria Gazette.
Entered at the Postofice of Alexandria, Yir-
ginia, as second-class matterl
THE DYING PoNTTFF.

away. The last sacraments were admin
istered last night. The aged pontiff is
still conscious. Though fally prepared
for death, be still expects to live. lie
is so weak that it does not seem prODa-
bic he can survive many hours. Car
dinaI Oreglia di Santo Stefano, dean Of
the Sacred College and Carmelengo, who
upon the Pope's demise, will be the first
to officially declare the pontiff dead, has
selected the apartment in the palace he
will occupy when, upon Leo's death, he
will take the reins Of pontifical power
until the election of the successor to the
chair.
DR.. Lapponi administered camphor
caffeine through the mouth, as one ex-
pertinent of injection did not prove sue
cessful Pope Leo saving he could not
bear it. The amelioration resulting from
the camphor-caffeine was so marked that
the Pontiff called first his nephews and
then his private secretary and adjusted
some personal affairs which are pending
The Pope preserves his full conscious
ness andhrgues and discussed his doctors
prescriptions. The latter, fearing to ex-
cite him by contradiction, are sometimes
at a loss how to proceed.
The only nourishment which the Pope
has been able to take has been a little
broth or sips of oil with the yolk of eggs
beaten up with sugar. He refuses to take
wine, through the doctor has advised him
to do so in order to aid the secretions of
all the organs, which are depressed ow-
ing to the weakness of the heart.
A grave indication of the serious con-
dition of the Pope is that DR.. Lapponi,
ON going home after having spent the
night at the Vatican, informed his
family that he would not again return
home until the disease had resulted one
way or the other. The doctor took with
him his evening dress, which, according
to etiquette, he will have to. put on i'm
mediately after the death of the Pope,
should his illness terminate fatally.
The weakness of the patients pulse and
his short and irregular breathing, gradu-
ally approaching to gasping, are the only
symptoms of any serious nature, but the
Pope yesterday morning was full OF
spirit, and would not take grave view
of his own case. When the doctor left
him the pontiff said ,"Come again
soon. | will try to give you a better
reception"
During the afternoon the strength of
the pontif began to fail him so rapidly
and his condition become so critical that
it appeared that only few hours OF his
life remained to him. 1t was, therefore,
deemed wise to advise him of his grave
condition, and this was done with tender
precaution. Pope Leo was thus pre-
pared for his last communion, which
was administered last night, with the
participation of all the cardinals now in
Rome and the whole of the pontilical
court. The solemn yet gorgeous cere-
mony Of administering the last sacra-
ment took place at the bedside of Pope
Leo. The central figure was the dying
pontiff, whose long life's journey is
nearly over, calmly preparing to enter
the dark valley. His pale and emaciat-
ed face, almost as white as the pillows
on which it rested, showed little sign of
life, except the keen, glittering eyes,
always his most striking feature.
Around the bed were grouped
the Noble Guards, in their glitter
ing uniform; the Knights OF the
Cloak and Sword, in their and pic
turesque medieval costume Of black,
with white ruhs; 25 cardinals, all the
members of Sacred College who are
present in Rome, stately and venerable
figures, in their sweeping crimson robes.
The whole ofwhat is called the pontif-
cal family, headed by Cardinal Ram
polla and including all the private
chamberlains, were there. Nearest to
the bed stood the imposing, tall figure
of the cardinal grand penitentiary.
Serafno Yannutelli, with the POpe's
coniessor, to hear the last confession Of
the departing pontif. Then the priest
apostolic approached, bearing the viad-
cum, to give the last communion and
administer the extreme JUNCTION, assisted
by the grand penitentiaiy.
Pope Leo feebly recited the confession
of faith as formulated by the Council
of Trent and finally the words of
absolution and the formula of indulgence
in articulo mortis were solemnly pro-
nounced by the grand penitentiary.
The heads of the great religious orders
who we're present granted the
Pope the special iudulgences which
they have the privilege of comforting.
Then came the touching prayers for a
passing soul and part of the gospel-the
Lords Passion. As the last words died
away all fell on their knees. The
Pontif, raising his almost transparent
fingers with feeble effort, pronounced
in scarcely audible words his benedic-
ton on the Sacred College and on all
present and then sank back on the
pillows. There was scarcely fearless
eve in the whole assemblage; the sobs
of the Pope's relatives were plainly
heard. Deep silence followed, only
broken now and again by asmui.nured
prayer or a piOus ejaculation.
1t is reported that Leo has expressed
the wish that Cardinal Gotti succeed
MIN.
FINE CAsKEF FOR A DOG.-Mrs