The Nevada County picayune., 1915-06-18


 the smallest state in Europe, It is oothing 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 a sovereign. and that the inviolability of the Vau- can is expressly recognized. No off cial of the Italian government can enter it's 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 limits Plus X is as absolute as the czar of Russia
 The Catholic powers of Europe, 1t Is we'll known, are represented at the papai court by ambassadors, who are
  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; and l assure you that during my mission to the Vatican I was most devout
 Ut 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 I 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 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 l formed the acquaintance in private of f.1s fN tntH 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 sufii- ciently polite and well-informed to be an agreeable companion. He was also moderately we'll off 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 ln 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 1000 years of civ ilization. they find the same fascina- tion 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 fight.
 "It 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, in which they have been accommodating treasures for centuries. and which is continually being added Co at the pres ent day [ spent many hours every week In exploring its recesses. and in con versing with Monslgnor Perratti, a very learned Jesuit. who had the superintendency Of the department of antiquities.
 "ou several occasions happened to meet my friend the count as vas on my way t0 the museum. aud pressed him te accompany me. But he invari- ahly declined
 have reasons. which ! do not care Co speak about. for not wishing 10 be seen in the Vatican he said to me on enc of these occasions, when had permitted myself to be rather i'm portunafe. During the period before ths holy father vas deprived of the temporal power. served tn the papal troops. &nd his holiness has perhaps resented my subsequent adhesion Co the house og savoy Al all events l am not wiling to expose myself 10 the rssk og being told th&t my presence ln ths NAtican is considered an in- tFusion
 T could nod but respect Vescaro for his delicacy. though it seemed t0 me misplaced. aa thc museum of the Vatican Was quite a public place. to which the whule Norld mas an the