The Irish standard., 1907-04-06

Catholicam, the voices rose to such q
| degree of intensity as almost rent the
air. There had been no rehearsal. and
there could be no doubt that that vast
| throng was unanimous in faith. in
feeling, and in devotion.
AT the final Amen there was a mo-
mentary pause, the crucifx remained
held aloft, and for the following half
hour the hand that held it never low
cred for an instant. Then voice
cried from one of the windows, where
several of the clerky could be seen:
"Vive Pie Dix ("Long live Plus X')
and the assembly gave it back with
thunderous echo: ''Vive Pie Dix.
Again came the voice: "Vive lie Car
dinal;" again the deafenng echo
"Vice lie Cardinal. A bas les frama-
cons" cdown with the F'remas sons")
feeling of excitement began to quiv-
er through us when, as if by inspira-
tion. a soprano voice began the first
strains of a beautiful French Canticle,
which was taken up by ALL
For the remainder of the time this
program was carried out unrehearsed
and entirely spontaneous. Canticle fol-
lowed canticle, with alternate cheers
for the Pope and the Cardinal. In the
present crisis and at that particular
moment. one special canticle (Which
calls upon God to save France) SEEM
ed to us extremely touching.
Sauve le France! (save France). A
cry of distress from the oppressed
which must surely be answered in
Gods own good time.
But the moment arrived when the
Cardinals brougham was seen slowly
approaching the steps, and we were
forced back upon each other and then
hurled forward again as a band of
gentlemen pushed their way to the
front with many apologies, but with
determination, bent upon removing the
horse and taking it's place to draw
their beloved prelate to his new abode.
Loud cries of "Detelez le cheval' cum
hitch the horse") were heard on all
sides. and in moment it was done
All was in readiness for his Eminence;
then there was a hush of expectancy.
followed by, "A genoux, genoux"
con your knees'), as the bent, aged.
feeble figure of the Cardinal stood
upon the steps and in almost inaudible
tones pronounced his benediction.
1t is impossible to describe the
scene that followed when the shafts
were turned, the wheels began to move
and those who drew the carriage
(among whom we afterwards heard
were General Charette, an admiral Of
the French fleet, and many others in
eminent positions), forced their burden
through the dense mass of men and
women who enthusiasm mounted to
the highest pitch.
For ourselves, we were wedged In
and carried forward, how we knew
not. till we found ourselves again in
the street, trying to adjust our gar
ments and feeling that we must have
left some remnants behind. Here we
found a little breathing space, and it
was quite beyond our strength to push
into the crowd again.
We fingered to look back into the
now deserted courtyard. and witnessed
the final incident. The concierge
came forward to close the great door,
and as he let the heavy bolts fall into
their grooves his tears ran down his
cheeks and fell upon the ground. Rath-
err would he have seen the remains
of his beloved master carried through
those portals to their last resting
place, than have closed them on him
thus. Before he shot the last bolt, We
took his hand and shook 1t warmly in
mute sympathy. Then we turned away
with heavy hearts and retraced our
steps in silence.