Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-11-18

constantly see repeated in the Euro
pean press said the ambassador with
marked intonation, that Monaco IS
the smallest state in Europe IL Is
nothing of the kind. The smallest state
in Europe at present is the vatican.
THE Vatican. But that is an abode
"a building"
"You are an Englishman, and OF
course ignorant of matters when are
I of vital interest to two-thirds OF
! Europe. Nevertheless you must sure
ly be aware that the holy father,
under the Italian law of papal guar
antics. retains his rank as sovereign,
and that the inviolability of the Natl-
can is expressly recognized. No OIL
cial of the Italian government can
enter its doors for any conceivable
purpose without the Pope's permission.
It is not considered part of the Italian
territory, in other words it is an IN
dependent state, within whose llmltt
Plus X is as absolute as the czar OF
Russia.
THE Catholic powers of Europe, 1t
is we'll known, are represented at the
papal court by ambassadors, who are
entirely distinct from those accredited
to the Quirinal France, although gov
erned by freethinkers, has continued
to observe this custom, which is due
to her position as protector OF the
| Latin Christians in the east; ana l
assure you that during my mission
to the Vatican | was most devout
ut was my good fortune to be hon
ored with the particular confidence or
Pic Mono, for it is by that name that
| Plus X was universally known in MS
lifetime. He was a remarkable pope,
Believe me, no one but very great
man could have maintained the pres
tige of the papacy unshaken as ne
did through the misfortunes which
afflicted it during his long reign.
THE only thing which embarrassed
me in Rome was the necessity when
| was under, in my character of ambas-
sador to the Holy See, of strictly
avoiding all intercourse with the court
of King Victor Emmanuel The severe
estrangement which prevailed be-
tween the papacy and the kingdom OF
italy was later illustrated by the ad-
venture of the poor King of Portugal
who found himself obliged to quit
Rome without visiting either the pope
or the king, as he could not show re
spect to one without giving umbrage
to the other.
In spite of these restraints /
formed the acquaintance in private OF
| several persons who were in touch
with the Quirinal. Among these was
a certain Count Gulielmo Vescaro.
"Vescaro was man who appeared
to be of good family, and he was suffi-
ciently polite and wellinformed to be
an agreeable companion. He was also
moderately well off for an Italian,
where the people are poorer than any
where else in the world, except in
Athens. In spite of these advantages,
| perceived before very long that ne
was unpopular, but | found no reason
for dropping his acquaintance.
Zone taste Vescaro and possessed
in common, this was passion for
gems of all kinds, but especially cam
eos and intaglos. The members of the
Italian nobility are distinguished for
their interest in curiosities OF this
sort. The heirs of 1000 years OF CIV
ilization, they find the same fascina-
ion in a rare medal or antique that
our young men find in new dancer
at the theaters, or that you English
do in a bulldog or prize tight.
1T was inevitable that l should take
advantage of my mission to STUDY
the famous collections Of the Vatican.
There is no other museum in Europe
to be compared with this of the popes,
| In which they have been accumulating
treasures for centuries, and which Is
continually being added to at the pres
| ent day | spent many hours every week
| in exploring it's recesses, and in con-
verslng with Monsignor Perratti, a
very learned Jesuit, who had the
superintendency of the department
| of antiquities.
"On several occasions I happened to
meet my friend the count as l was on
my way to the museum, and pressed
| him to accompany me, But he invarl-
ably declined
81 have reasons, which 1 do not
care to speak about, for not wishing
to be seen in the Vatican he said to
me on one of these occasions, when
had permitted myself to be rather i'm
Fortunate. During the period before
the holy father was deprived OF the
temporal power, served in the papal
troops, and his holiness has perhaps
resented my subsequent adhesion to
the house or Savoy. At all events
am not willing to expose myself to the
risk of being told that my presence
in the Vatican is considered an in
trusion.
Il could not but respect Vescaro
for his delicacy, though it seemed
to me misplaced, as the museum of the
Vatican was quite a public place, to
! which the whole world was in the
habit of coming. In my next conver-
sation with Monsignor Perratti | re-
ferred to the subject.
"'Ah!' He gave perceptible
start, and regarded me curiously for
a moment. DO you know anything