Tombstone epitaph., 1915-06-27

Pean press" said the ambassador with marked intonation. that Monaco is the smallest state in Europe, It 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 which are 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 8 sovereign. and that the inviolability of the yati- can is expressly recognized. No off, cial of the Italian government can enter its doors for any conceivable purpose without the PoDe's permission. It is not considered part of the Italian territory: in other words 1t is an in dependent state. within whose limits Plus X is as absolute as the czar of Russia
 The Catholic powers of Europe. 1t Is well known. are represented at the papal court by ambassadors, who are entirely distinct from those accredited erned by freethinkers, has continued to observe this custom. which is due to her position as protector of the Latin Christians in the east; and assure you that during my mission to the Vatican was most devout
 Tt was my good fortune to be hon ored with the particular confidence of Pic Mono. for it is by that name that Plus X was universally known in his 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 he did through the misfortunes which afflicted it during his long reign.
 The only thing which embarrassed me in Rome was the necessity which l was under. in my character of ambas- sedor to the Holy See. of strictly avoiding all intercourse with the court of King Victor Emmanuel The severe arrangement 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.
 Tn spite of these restraints I formed the acquaintance in private O.
 ho fr with the Quirinal Among these was a certain Count Gulielmo Vescaro.
 "Vescaro was a man who appeared to be of good family, and he was suff- ciently polite and wellinformed to be an agreeable companion. He was also moderately well of for an Italian. where the people are poorer than any where else in the world. except in Athens. In spite of these advantages, I perceived before very long that he was unpopular, but found no reason for dropping his acquaintance.
 "One taste Vescaro and possessed in common. this was a passion for gems of all kinds. but especially cam eos and intaglios. The members Of the Italian nobility are distinguished for their interest in curiosities of this sort The heirs of 2,000 years of civ ilization, they find the same fascina- tion in a rare medal or antique that our young men find in a new dancer at the theaters. or that you English do in a bulldog or prize fight.
 Tt was inevitable that 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, h which they have been accommodating treasures for centuries. and which is continually being added to at the pres ent day. spent many hours every week fin exploring it's recesses. and in con versing with Monsignor Perratt. a very learned Jesuit. who had the superintendency of the department of antiquities.
 On several occasions happened to | meet my friend the count as I was on | my way to the museum, and pressed him to accompany me. But he invarf- | ably declined.
 "1 have reasons. which l do not l care to speak about. !or not wishing ] Co be seen in the Vatican he said to me on one of these occasions. when ! had permitted myself to be rather I'm portunate. During the period before the holy father was deprived Of the temporal power. served in the papai troops. snd his holiness has perhaps resented my subsequent adhesion to the bouse Of Savoy. At all events ! am not willing to expose myself to the risk of being told that my presence fin the Vatican is considered sn in, trus.on-'
 T could not but respect yesesfc fc~ his deiicAcy. though h seemed to ne misplaced. as the museum Of The Vatican vas quite . pubic place, Co vhieh the whole world ssz in ths habi, Of coming In my nsrt o>ssef satsoG with Monsixnor Psr@iti re ferred fo the sgb3sct
 An, He gave . tsfesvsibss start, and regarded me csflstsiy is' . nomen, To Jos sSor sny'hiss