The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-08-07
TRAITS OF LEO XIII.
Incidents Portraying the Late
Pontiffs Character.
GENEROUS AND KIND TO THE POOR

His Gentle neproof OF an Empress
Who Criticized His Lavish Chari-
ties-How He Helped the Posr Of
Italy In = Famine-samples sf His
Repartee-Why He Took the Name
of Leo.
The many anecdotes recounted of the
late Pope Leo XIII. before and after
his accession to the papal throne serve
better to illustrate his character than
columns Of comment might do, says the
New York Evening Journal. During
the earlier years of his ambitious priest
hood his wit, softened In later years by
his inherent gentleness, could and at
times did become caustic. He was
diplomatic and grave when occasion re-
quired. but auick at repartee. and few
cared tt measure wits with him.
While nuncio to Belgium. In 1913, 1t
Is related that a marquis of question.
able reputation was so Ill bred as to ex-
hibit to him a silver snuffbOx, on the
lid Of which, in raised enamel, was the
nude figure of Venus arising from the
sea. D~isregarding the ripple Of amuse-
ment in the assembly which the act
provoked, the young nuncio examined
the snuffbox with the utmost gravity.
He handed it back to the marquis after
his inspection with a polite bow and
remarked quietly:
=E Nh ruoinr Ind 90 Won n ls,.v il
marquis, l assume that it is a portrait
of the warehouses"
The pope's personal character has
been the subject of much conflicting
comment. He has been accused Of par
simony, but as a matter Of fact the rec
ords Of his life show that he acted at
all times with great generosity, self de-
NAL and wisdom. A. few years s the
poor of Italy We're suffering from fam
Inc. The pope. at his own expense,
stocked all the streams and pools of the
surrounding country plentifully with
fish that the poor might catch and eat.
More recently he ordered the fruits of
the immense Vatican gardens put up
as preserves for distribution among the
needy.
Among the stories told OF him is n
of a late empress, who, when visiting
him, took him to task for his lavish
charities, arguing that such giving.
which she characterized as indiscrimi-
nate, did more harm than good Her
criticisms, although rather sharpt9and
pointed, were listened to with indul-
gence by his holiness. On departing. she
asked him for his autograph or photo
graph. He complied, and when she
later opened the envelope containing
the picture she found written In the
beautiful script of the pope the gentle
reproof:
Pope Leo XIII, to those who walk
in darkness and will not see the light"
On the question of giving money to
those whose needs were not great. how
ever. Pope Leo NH. was obdurate.
To his own nephews he gave little. and
their heritage will be the COM
paratively small estate which the late
pontif inherited from his father. To
II Of his nephews, an officer in his
guard, who complained Of his small
earnings, his holiness nee said sharply:
"Spend as little on yourself as l spend
on myself and you will have less need
for wealth."
He granted no special favors to his
relatives, although his love for them
was unquestionably great, and he in
sisted on them living in the most ex-
emplary He wished to guard
the honor Of his entire family as well
as his own.
One of his nephews, 500 after the
pOpe's accession. wished to Withdraw
from a promise of marriage on the plea
that his fiancee was not a suitable
match for the nephew Of the pope. Leo
XIII. heard Of his contemplated action
and sternly commanded the young nan
to hold to his word. The marriage took
place.
Nothing was more remarkable about
| Leo XIII. than his wonderful memory.
He never forgot a face. Incidents re-
manned as clear in his mind after the
lapse Of a score Of years as they were
when freshly happened. To visitors
he frequently recalled places in their
countries which he had seen when
younger.
Father Dunford of London. rector of
a chapel at Lincoln's Inn Fields, told
the pontiff, while on a visit to Rome q
few years ago. of his charge. TO his
surprise the holy father replied:
Eyes. l remember it perfectly. l used
to say. mass there when on a visit to
London forty-six years ago."
Then he gave the visiting priest a
minute description of the chapel as it
existed when he saw it. and mani
tested the liveliest interest in an ac-
count Of the changes which had taken
| place since.
When he was elevated to the throne
| Of st Peter. twas with q full realiZa-