The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-05
NOBLE GUARD MAY
CEASE TO EXIST
Papal Reforms Lead to
Complications.
SOCIETY IS HANDICAPPED
Many Great Palaces of the Eternal
City Now Gloomy and
Deserted.
SOCIETY IS HANDICAPPED

ROME, July 5.-Reforms made in the
Vatican since the Pope's accession have
caused some strange complications.
The fact is that the new Pope-exceI-
lent man and blameless priest as he Is
has not the qualifications necessary for
statecraft, nor the training needful Tor
that difficult calling.
His predecessor was essentially a man
OF affairs. He knew exactly how TO steer
the ship Of Peter through the very trou-
bled waters of European politics. and
while not relinquishing one inch of his
own ground, or abating one iota of his
supreme claims. he yet managed to hold
on his dignihed course without running
foul of the kingdoms which are so
avowedly "of this world"
Difficulties Multiplying.
Difficulties and entanglements are
multiplying. and the air in Rome is thick
with flying rumors.
One trouble is the status Of the noble
guard This most splendid OF body
guards has hitherto enjoyed many priv
ileges and perQusites which the new
regulations take away and, worse than
all. its members are forbidden to mix
henceforth with Quirinal society. or to
be seen with anyone in the service OF
the King.
Patent of Nobility.
To be one Of the noble guard is IN it
self patent Of aristocracy; for its mem
bers must be able TO show fun sixteen
quarterings upon the coat-of-arms.
Hitherto great houses, such as the
ColOnna and the Caesarini. have had one
son in the kings army. and another IN
the noble guard.
The Massimo, the most naughty Of all
great Roman families. and devoted TO
the Pope as they have always been.
have welcomed a daughter OF one of
Queen Elena's ladies-in-w waiting as the
bride OF a scion of their house.
me borghese. who have had sons in
the noble guard for centuries, have yet
so far acknowledged 1.-The usurper'' at
the Quirinal as to have among them a
senator OF the kingdom. and a deputy IN
the house Of representatives.
Social Conditions.
Roman society has been terribly ham
pered and dislocated ever since 1870.
These new DEGREES will 80 far to make
1t impossible-unless, indeed. It resolves
to ignore both Merry del Val and his
master. and go on exactly as before.
But this the noble guard. Of course.
cannot do. They can see no solution OF
the question.
Probably this unique and most pictur-
esque body-which must not be con-
fused with the plebeian Swiss Guard.
who wait at the Vatican gates in their
part-cOlOred hose and tunics-will cease
to exist.
Great Palaces Closed.
Many Of the great Roman palaces
stand closed and gloomy.
The Orsini have sold their huge an
cestral pile. and retain little Of their an
Client glory except their name. The
Lancellott have since 1870 kept half
the great doors Of their palace shut in
sign OF mourning for the loss Of the tenn
pOral power
The Chigi have no heart for gaity
since their heir threw away his life IN
Africa. his death being the epilogue to
a tragic love story.
The SforZa-Caesarini have tried TO trim
their sails to every wind. Duchess Vic
toria, born a Colonna, was lady-in-wait-
ing 10 Queen Margherita: Duchess Caro-
lima. her mother-in-law, spent her DAYS
on her knees lamenting the fall Of the
Papal power.
The Marchesa Santifiore and Princess
Corsini, both daughters Of the Sforza-
Caesarini, are among the gayest Of ROM
an beauties.
In fact. the new Vatican DEGREES bid
fair 10 seriously affect society But
what Is 70 become Of the noble guards? 1