Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-20

d.nal is swift and business-like in his dis
patch OF affars-always cordial and smil-
ing, but showing to the dullest that he has
not much time to spare. He passes from
one parlor to another, dressed in his dark
soutane, and upon his head the little scarlet
skull cap-the iron-gray hair. the pale, in
tellectual face and the penetrating glance
beneath. His eminence seldom forgets any
one whom he has met, although he does
not always remember names. AS soon as
he appears in the doorway the visitor
rises and goes to him, and. If a Catholic,
kisses the large amethyst ring, slightly
bending the knee. This obeisance is not
as some Protestants imagine, an act Of
idolatry. but merely signifies assent to the
cardinals spiritual authority and obedience
to Rome. 1t is the etiquette. and, like
everything else in the Catholic Church. has
Come down through the ages.
The visitors business Is related.
The cardinal is quick of apprehension, lis
tens courteously, occasionally asking ques
tons, and in few minutes the matter.
whatever 1t may be. Is settled. and his
eminence passes on to the next caller. In
this way a dozen or more persons will be
seen In very short time, and many things
disposed Of and difficulties cleared up.
The Evening Walk.
On fine morning the cardinal will some
times take walk down the street to the
Catholic bookstores, where he looks over
the latest new books and magazines, and
then to the Mirror office. where he gets
such newspapers as he desires to examine.
He returns home in time for dinner, which
Is served not long after noon, and a little
LOFT hn will Ito Gov h lilo
cially II he has had a fatiguing morning.
At 8 o'clock visitors begin to come again,
and he Is kept busy, in one way or another.
until toward evening, when he goes out for
his constitutional. This evening walk is a
Roman custom followed by nearly all
ecclesasttcs. The cardinal is generally
accompanied by some one-sOmetimes by
student of the seminary, again by a visit
through the crowded street. with his black
hat, under which the red skull cap barely
shows, and the long frock coat, thousands
recognize the beloved man. 1t may be
truly said that everybody knows the cardi-
nal. He is as great favorite with the
majority Of Professionals as with the mem
bers Of his own faith. A number of
Protestant clergymen are among his per-
sonal friends, and 1t is seldom that any
public man of note visits Baltimore without
calling at the archiepiscopal residence to
pay his respects to the head Of the Catholic
Church in this country.
The cardinals home routine Is frequently
interrupted by the necessity to travel. He
Is obliged to visit churches to administer
confirmation; in June he attends many
commandments, and he goes upon long
journeys to take part in jubilees and i'm
portant church functions. 1t Is wonderful
how much he contrives to get through. He
Is man of intense activity. as may be
conjectured by any one who will observe
him, for instance in a railway station wait
ing for the departure of his train. He does
not sit down and study the crowd, but he Is
moving about constantly, recognizing ac-
quaintances. chatting. necessarily In mo-
ton. Wherever he may be, the cardinal
Is seldom out of bed after 10 o'clock, and
the regularity of his habits is the secret
Of his ability to accomplish so much and
Of his good health While he is not robust,
he is wiry and has an immense capacity
for labor. He is an extremely moderate
eater, and on Sundays often sings the
high mass, which obliges him to fast until
nearly . O'Clock. His voice is not sonorous,
but 1t Is sweet and penetrating, and easily
fills the cathedral He is fond Of music
and encourages congregational singing.
A Real Democrat.
AS a preacher he is always learned and
interesting and often eloquent. His ser
mons he writes out in advance. but he Is
also a good extempore orator. Having
been SO long accustomed to figuring In
public affairs and conducting the great
functions of the church, he is never Hurried
or nervous but when he rises to make an
address is composed and fluent. The mar
vel is that his sermons should be as good
as they are, since he is subjected to so
many Interruptions and scarcely call
an hour his own.
Cardinal Gibbons is one Of the most demo-
cratic of men-pain, transformations and
distinguished for good sense in everything
he does. Although wise and shrewd, he Is
free from the smallest shadow Of dssimula-
ton. He hates double-dealing in all its
forms. He Is extremely charitable. and
his income does not meet the demands
upon It, BY no manner OF means is he
rich man, and the public would be surprised
to know how much he is obliged to spend
in charity. Many are the things he pays
for out of his own pocket" as the ex-
preston Is. because he cannot refuse, and
of which few know but himself.
On account Of his piety and worth the
cardinal stands very high in Rome, and he
is appreciated even the more because of
the wisdom he has shown in keeping out of
controversies that have caused excitement
in the church. He has quietly pursued his
own appointed work, believing in charity
and peace above all things. The arch
diocese Of Baltimore is regarded as
model for all. How admirably 1t is gov
erned every one Catholic and non-Catholic,
knows. Scandal and discord are unknown.
and Cardinal Gibbons has strong hold
upon the love and affections of all the
people regardless of creed.
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