The Washington times., 1910-03-05

He thought II a good joke when some
one said to him in Rome before the
conclave: Take care, your eminence.
that they do not elect you.' and he re-
piled gayly: Il am not uneasv-I have
my return ticket to Venice here In my
pocket. and I intend TO use it 4 fau,
! days later he was begging the cardinals
in terror and amazement, TO desist from
/ voting Tor hlm-but 10 was ia vain for
/ they knew him better than he knew
I himself or than the world knew him.
A week after this trembling man had
! become PiuX Y, and was proclaiminR
/ 10 the universe Jhat the aim of his pom
tincate would be: "To restore all things
in Christ"
six years have passed and what DO we
see lie has inaQgurated the reform OF
the ehtfe body Of church legislation. he
ufs restored sacred music TO its true
place ana dignity; ne has laid down z
splendld program for the teaching Of
ttrlstian doctrine throughout the world /;
ne mas infused d new spirit of zeal
among the priests and bishops of the
cnuFShi ne has reformed more than one
or lhe Roman congregations he has
made the world ring with his defense
OF the rights OF the church in France.
IL we IN AmerlEa, CathoFc and nom
Catholc alike, have a special generation
ana admiration for the character Of Plus
y, / thlnk the cause of il Is partly, at
least. III that wonderful energy and
practical spirit which Ee has shown. and
which we like to assoriat,, in a special
manner without own cOUntry and our
people.
Practically all OF ,s are busy men.
out | doubt very TnUch if any Of US
would survive very long 'he strenuous
life Plus \ has imposed upon himself
The room where the holy father trans
acts routine business has the appear
ance or a working office There are no
q |E.T m rrRrra IN
pictures. The desk and furniture are
plain. Papers are carefully arranged
and in order. Judging from the use ne
made OF II In our presence. his was the
lay his steel-framed speCtacles his
pens. ms Sdpd bottle. which he uses In
stead or blotter. and his keys
Waits on Himself.
Back Of his desk are cases. one OF
which ne opened in our presence. TAX
ing from fl a number OF special gifts
for his morning visitors. The Pope
waits on himself IN All these matters
his movements direct, his manner
courteous and gracious.
He IS on his feet at $40 every morn
ing. and he Is busy with his prayers.
his breviarv. his mass and thanksgiv-
ing until 7.36, a few minutes suffice for
"A light breakfast of coffee and a roll,
and from then until 10 o'clock he is
engaged in his study. examining the
great questions that concern the church.
al 10 precisely, he receives the cardinal
secretary of state, Merry Del Val who
has come up from the BOrgia apartment
with 4 portfolio filled with important
documents, and with clear summary
OF all the important events in any way
affecting religion. which have taken
place during the preceding twenty-four
hours.
The young cardinal. for he is only
just turned forty. boasts that ne owes
all that is good in him 20 his Irish blood.
He Is one Of the most finished of Iv-
ing diplomats. and speaks six IauSJIs Ses
with as much fuency as If each Of them
were his mother tongue: he passed his
youth i'm the atmosphere or courts. and
ne Is entirely unlite the venerable pom
tiT. but for all that the two meet on
the common ground of simple unaf-
fected pieJy. He remains clOSeted for
an hour or thereabouts, with the pom
tiff.
4 change has been introduced into
the separation law iU France-what Is
20 be done about that2
The Russian government has sent
special agent begging the Holy. See TO
help q tide over the stOrm-What an
Swer must be given 10 him.
There Is serious disturbance among
"a certain section OF the Catholics Of
Poland-hOw is it 20 be checlIed2
The lneTal government Of England
is about 10 Introduce an educational bill
which threatens the faith Of the CathO-
JIG children in that country.
The apostolic delegate IN the Phil
ippines has sent a long report deScrib-
ing the condition of religion I'm The
arChipelaEO-WhaJ instructions are to be
sent him.
Must Decide All
Some Italian papers hint at a hostile
attitude on the part Of the govern
rnenr and so Ou-rha poDe must Lynoyy
all, understand all; decide all. II is a
very trying hour. yet when il IS over.
the cardinal. prefeCt, o. the secretary