The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-06
IN TENSE EXCITEMENT
 PREVAILS IN VATICAN
(cOn4irucd from First Pase)

caution. Pope Leo was thus prepared for his last communion, which was admins tered tonight with the participation of all the cardinals now in Rome and the whole of the pontificial court
 The Last Sacrament.
 The solemn, yet gorgeous, ceremony of administering the last sacrament took place at the bedside of Pope Leo. The central figure was the dying pontiff, whose long ife's journey is nearly over, calmly preparing to enter the dark val ley Ills pale and emaciated face, all most 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 grouped the Noble Guards in their glitiering uniforms; the Knights of the Cloak and Sword in their picturesque medieval costume of black with white ruffs; twenty-five cardinals, all the members of the Sacred college who are present in Rome, stately and vener- able figures in their sweeping crimson robes; the whole forming a scene of rich vet subdued coloring a fit subject for the pencil of Remembrant.
 The whole of what is called the ponti- fleal family, headed by Cardinal Rampolla and including all the private chamber lains were there. Next to the bed stood the imposing, tall figure of the cardinal grand protentiary, Serafino Vannutelli. with the popes confessor, to hear the last sad confession of the departing pon.. tiff Then the priest apostolic approach ed bearing the viaticum to give the last communion and another the extreme unc- tion assisted by the grand penitentiary. Pope Leo feehly reeited the confession Of faith as formulated by the council of Trent and finally the words of dissolution and the formula of indulgence in Articulo Mortis were solemnly pronounced by the grand penitenuary. The heads of the great religious orders were present and granted the pope the special indulgence which they have the privilege of conferr- ing.
 Prayer for Passing Soul.
 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 pontiff, raising his almost transparent fingers witli a feeble effort pronounced in scarcely audible words his benediction on the sa- cred college and on all present and then sank back on the pillows. There was scarcely fearless eye in the whole as- semblage the sobs of the popes relatives were pldllly ntdtd ltcp Slltbcc Icllt only broken now and again by murmur of prayer or a pious ejaculation.
 In the portion of the loggia of Raphael adjoining the papal apartments were the families of Count Riccardo Pecci and Count Moroni. the pope's nephews.
 Il D. m.-The condition of his holiness at this hour though still grave is not so serious as late this afternoon. Dr. Lapponi administered camphor caffeine through the mouth as one experiment of injection did not prove successful. Pope Leo said he could not bear it. The amelioration result ing 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.
 pr. Mazzoni and Dr. Lapponi now think that the danger of a catastrophe occur ing during the night has been averted. In- deed. they hope that unless there is heart failure, they will be able to keep their august patient alive for a few days longer, especially if he will willingly consent to observe the physicians prescriptions. This, however. is the more difficult. as his holiness preserves his full consciousness and argues and discusses his doctors pre- scriptiens. The latter, fearing to excite him by contradiction are sometimes at loss how to proceed.
 Dispatch Received.
 Washington, July 5.-The apostolic lega-