New-York tribune., 1903-07-07

them about his writings and giving directions
for the disposal of his books.
The Pontif yesterday ordered that piano
be given TO his grandnephews, also giving direc-
tons that they should be told that the Pope
thought Of them in his last moments.
The improvement in the Pope's condition this
morning was so unnatural, considering the
gravity of his illness, that it was feared that
possibly it was only the last Pickering OF the
vital flame.
IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT MADE.
In this brighter interval the Pope resumed his
habits of command and insisted on giving
ders for the preparation of the brief appointing
Monsignor Volponi, actually Secretary OF Let
ters to Princes, as Secretary Of the Consistoral
| Congregation, post vacant, owing to the pro-
motion of Monsignor Nocella to the cardinalate.
! The Importance of such an appointment espe-
cially at the present moment is manifest when
| it is considered that the Pope's death the
| Secretary Of State ceases to exercise his func-
tions. which are assumed Immediately by the
| Secretary of the Consistorial Congregation.
Cardinal di Santo Stefano. the dean of the
! Sacred College. who has established himself in
rooms iE the Vatican above the Pope's apart
ments, had a long conference with his secre-
! taries to-day. and gave orders that various
| documents connected with the election Of new
Pope be conveyed to the Vatican
After receiving the sacrament yesterday the
| Pope said:
I am now near my end do not know If all
1 have done has been good but certainly
| obeyed my conscience and our faith.
MESSAGES OF FOREIGN RULERS.
over five hundred kilograms expressing SYM
| pathy with the Pope or asking for news of his
| condition arrived at the Vatican to-day, in
| Guiding messages from President Roosevelt,
| King Edward anw 2Emperor Francis Joseph.
! Dowager Queen Margherita is reported to have
asked for news about the Pontiff.
! The most important kilograms of inquiry
! communicated to the Pore, who makes eager
! inquiries as to what communications have been
| received at the Vatican from foreign rulers. He
was extremely pleased to learn that NJ. Nisard,
| the French Ambassador to the Vatican, had, in
spite of the strained relations between the
French republic and the Holy See, called daily
during the Pontiff's illness, and had expressed
| to Cardinal Rampolla the concern of the French
| Government as well as that of President Loubet.
| On hearing that the Austrian Ambassador to
the Vatican. Count Szecsen de Temerin, was i'll,
the Pope expressed his sorrow, and said he
hoped it was not as serious his own case
When the Pope was Informed of Emperor
Francis Joseph's dispatch, communicated to the
Vatican by the Austrian Embassy, he said:
a past generation"
OFFICIALS ANNOYED BY RUMORS.
In Vatican circles there seems to be dissatis-
faction because of the rumors in circulation to
the effect that those in authority. instead of
preventing the Pope from overtaxing his fail
ing strength have for their own purposes urged
him. contrary to his physicians advice, to fur
ther exertion It has been hinted that those
who might be eligible candidates for the chair
of ST. Peter would not have many regrets should
the way be left open without more delay and
that, regardless of the Pontiffs feebleness, they
worked upon his harmless, natural pride in the
vigor of his constitution at his venerable age
to encourage him to preside at the two recent
consstories, as we'll as to undertake numerous
receptions of pilgrims and other visitors TO
Rome. Such insinuations are energeticalIy re-
pudiated by those concerned.
Since the Pope's illness assumed its present
serious character, the alternation from hope to
fear in the minds of the population has given
place to a certain feeling of apathy For cen
turies the Romans had been accustomed to the
rise and fall of systems of government and to
changes of rulers. This doubtless has affected
the present generation causing them to regard
without anxiety even keen interest events of
this nature.
A THRONG BEFORE ST. PETERS.
During Friday and Saturday, in spite of the
blazing July sunshine. eager crowds thronged
the colonnades of the piazza Of st. Peters, MAX
ing inquiries or the SWISS GuaroS on outy at the
doors of the Vatioan watching the ingress and
egress o ecclesiastical and other dignitaries
and obtaining from theI when possible informa-
tion regarding the health of the iustrious pa
tient
On Sunday the Pope seemed to be sinking fast,
and hope died away the announcement that
the Viatcum would e administered in the even
ing, but as night and the solemn rite
accomplished, contrary to expectation a
slight improvement in the Pontims condition
observed, the anxiety diminished and the
crowds Qwindled away. Some persons believed
that the arnelioration only temporary, the
last effort of failing vitality, and that 1t would
be followed Immediately by corresponding
prostration, but this surmise proved incorrect.
All day yesterday the improvement was main
tanned.
Il NAN OF SIMPLE TASTES.