The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1907-10-05
CARDINAL GIBBONS HOME LIFE.
Private life of Eminent American
Fourth Oldest in Sacred College.

One of the first things the sight-see-
ing visitor to Baltimore does is to call
; >Ja--tfre~ Cardinal, says the New York
y World interviewer. If he has seen
Bulwer's great tragedy, "Richelieu," or
has read THE Queens Necklace" or
THE Three Guardsmen," his mind is
filled with visions of a palatial resi-
dence, a gilded coach with prancing
steeds, magnificent vestments. pomp-
Gus servants in livery, tables Dreaming
beneath the weight Of choice viands
and rich wines without which it seems
impossible to him that a prince of the
church could maintain proper dignity.
And so he asks to be driven to the
Cardinals aPlace," by which token
the cabby knows that his fare is I'M
familiar with the city.
Americas cardinal affects none of
these things. He has no palace" but
lives in an old-fashioned roomy man.
sion which is officially known as the
Cardinals residence" and is thus des-
ignated on the cardinals stationery.
When he drives anywhere it is In a
plebian cab hired for the occasion.
When he goes for a walk, either for
exercise or on business, he goes alone,
his spare form being q familiar one on
the streets of Baltimore
His attire, except when in the pulpit.
is Of the plainest. differing but little
from that Of any other priest save for
the fat red scarf at his neck, the
zuchetto of the same hue upon his head
and the amethyst ring upon the third
finger of his right hand, which ara the
insignia Of his rank and which 1t is
his duty to wear at all times.
He has no bodyguard, no personal
attendant no gentleman-in- waiting
While Merry del Val, in Rome, does
as the Romans do" Cardinal Gibbons
in Baltimore, so far as outward ap-
/ earances go, docs as the Balti-
mOreans do" This much all Ealti-
more knows of him.
Moved by q desire to learn some
thing Of that part of his life which
is hidden from public view, 1 sought
his eminence and bluntly asked for
information upon that point.
Certainly, if you desire it, said
he, with characteristic generosity,
and then, with equally characteristic
modesty he added, although 1 can
not see in what way my private Efe
can be Of interest to the public. It
is, for the most part, extremely IN
eventful, methodical and regular To
this fact / attribute the excellent
health which l am enjoying at the
age of p. To put 1t briefly, 1 work
a little, sleep a little. eat a little,
walk a little smoke a little and read
a great deal BY the way, I might
add that I write q good deal, too.
Yes, it is true that I am now en-
gagged in the preparation Of another
boOk-ny fourth-but 1 do not care
at this time to anticipate its publica-
ton byr evealing the subject.
"Oh, yes, I have my hours of rest
and recreation, and not infrequently
] spend an evening at a social func-
ton of some kind and enjoy it.
For instance, I attended, a year ago in
Washington. one Of the famous
dinners given by that aggregation Of
jolly and brainy men, the Gridiron
club, and had a splendid time, but
for the most part / find the greatest
pleasure in reading serious books.
If, however you care to know more
about our going and comings you
are at perfect liberty to pursue your
The members Of my
household will, / am sure, gladly
give you any information you may
wish to have"
The big. old-fashioned mansion oc
cupies almost two-thirds of the block
on Charles street, between Mulberry |
and Franklin, in what was formerly |
the most fashionable section of the
City. Business has en-
croached upon the neighborhood, |
however. crowding the one time resi-
dents into other sections and leaving |
the Cardinals home surrounded by |
millinery, tailoring and other estab- /