Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-23

tiffs sympathetic and benevolent char
Hcterstics. lie comes from noble Pied
rncntesc stock and his nobility is shown
in his naughty and austere bearing lie
is not popular among his colleagues or
tlte Romans and his brusque manner has
earned him the title of the Piedmont
bear He is tall and robust and his "a
years are shown by the wilderness OF his
hair Despite his austerity, the CARDINALS
learning and picty are universally recoS
nizcd
SCENES ABOUT THE VATICAN.
The death of the Pontiff occurred at a
time when all was singularly calm about
the Vatican. as people had been so long
expecting the rnal summons that their
sensihlities were well nigh numl ed. Out
side st. Peters the empty trolley cars
swung slowly round the loop and across
the square into the cool shade af the
great colonnade, which for over two cen
turtles has been the pride of Roman arch-
lecture. The clang of the car bells was
the only noise which dispelled the trad-
tional peacefulness of an Italian after
room. Now and again, one of those little
open carriages in which all Rome rides,
ratified across the baked stone with which
the square of ST. Peters is paved and
took its place on the cab rank which lies
in the shadow of Michael Angeles four
hundred columns. A few half naked
urchins dawdled in the spray which
light breeze blew from the fountain that
plays INCREASINGLY beside the huge .obelis!.
brought to Rome from Egypt by some
conqueror Emperor. a few yards away,
beside the bronze doors which lead to the
Vatican, some 20 or 80 men and boys and
handful OF gendarmes lazly waited the
news. Inside the Swiss guards loled on a
bench and complained of the heat
Scarcely soul passed up the marble
staircase and the court yard of Sapia
naso was deserted EXCEPT tor the heavy
their coachmen, who were awaiting their
masters.
At 20 minutes past four a man dashed
madly across st. Peters square then
quite empty. A second later another fol-
lowed on bicycle. Within a few sec
onds, as if by magic. newspaper men,
gendarmes and messengers running driv-
ing and gesticulating dashed to and from
the portals of the Vatican. Like n wire
less message there flashed around the
world He is dead
Rubbing the afternoon sleep from their
eyes bareheaded men and women many
, carrying babies emerged from tina dark
ened houses and cafes and besiegad the
door of the Vatican. The transformation
was complete. The quick movement and
tense feeling of the rapidly gathering
crowd now permeated where a few min
utcs before there had been no sign of
life. The French ambassadors carriage
drove furiously from the Vatican and
drew up at telegraph Office. Without
waiting for the horses to stop the amhas-
asdor jumped out and notified his gov.
eminent of the Pope's death. There soor
followed the cardinals, who with sci
faces drove slowly homeward BehinC
the shutters of Pope Leo's room, which
stil remain closed all was over. The
heavy bronze doors were swung to anc
entrance to the Vatican was only OBJ
tainable by knocking at little wcke
which was closely kept within by tn,
papal guard and without by the Italian
police, The latter had been slightly rein
forced but had no difficulty in CONTROL
ing the crowds which We're allowed to ro
main in the square. Carriages kept rat
Ting up, their occupants mostly holdin,
in their hands extra editions OF paper
announcing the Pope's death, which tn
local papers quickly got out on tn
steps of St Peters sat a group of younj
, Roman princes discussing the situation
p Nearby was gathered a bevy of peasan
, working women who make Rome so pic
tur"squo. Some entered the Baslica it
, self and there offered up prayers 70
; Pope Loo's soul Among the supplcant
were many monks who with hands up
lifted prayed long and earnestly at tn
, gates of the dimly lighted shrines.
I CLOSE CONTEST FOR NEW POPE
! The greatest interest is now centere
! in the work of the holy conclave whic
, is to select the successor of Leo XII
spoculations, prophcsics and prediction
il favor Of the various candidates TIL
comparatively long illness of Leo ha
q had the effect of narrowing the chance
+, of some who entered the contest wit
10 what was thought to be the brightos
s prospects, while it has brought forwar
g the prominence of others who at frs
No.
It that they are all now on about tn
?, same level. 1t is said that there ha
+ never been a conclave In which ther
o are 50 many candidates who have a faI
f chance of winning. 1t is beiieved that III
It foreign cardinals will ultimately give III
: deciding votes.
It From the most reliable source tn
: Associated Press representative learr
that the considerable talk which is goin
# the rounds to the effect that certain 10,
l. eign powers might exercise the right c