Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-07-09
e@e9S3@@9e9@0@1@@S&8ee Observation-Disclosures

baan press" said the ambassador with
marked information, that Monaco is
the smallest state In Europe. 1t Is
nothing OF the kind"
We were driving in his Excellency's
carriage In the Bots de Boulogne. and
had just lifted our hats to the daughter
in-law Of the prince
Indeed" / answered with some
interest. DO you mean that San
Marine Is smaller? or perhaps Andor-
Ia?"
Il mean neither" he returned with
sbOmpIacency. THE smallest state IN
Icurope at present Ia the Vatican"
'-The Vatican! But that ia an abode
- buiIding!"
Precisely. And it Is for that
reason that 1t is smaller than any OF
those others you have named" And
the ambassador lay back In his corner
of the carriage. enjoying my astonish-
Inent
You are an Engiishman," he re
stunned presently, land therefore OF
course ignorant OF matters which are
1f vital interest to two-thirds OF
Europe Nevertheless you must sure
~ be aware that the holy father,
lknder the Italian law Of papal guar
antics, retains his rank as sovereign,
and that the inviolability of the Vati-
can il expressly recognized. No ON
tial OF the italian government can
enter its doors for any conceivable
purpose without the Pope's permission.
1t is not considered part of the Italian
territory: in other words 1t ia an in
dependent state, within whose limits
Plus X In aa absolute as the car OF
Russia
The Catholic powers of Europe, it
ID well known, are represented at the
papal court by ambassadors. who are
10 the Quirinal. France. although gov
serned by freethinkers, has continued
10 observe this custom, which is due
10 her position as protector OF the
Latin Christians in the east: and
assure you that during my mission
10 the Vatican ! was most devout-
at was my good fortune to be hon
tred with the particular confidence OF
1oio Mono, for 1t is by that name that
Plus x was universally known in his
lifetime. He was q remarkable pope.
Believe me, no one but a very great
man could have maintained the pres
ttge of the papacy mistaken as he
lid through the misfortunes which
afflicted 1t during his long reign.
The only thing which embarrassed
me In Rome was the necessity which
! was under. In my character OF ambas-
tador to the Holy See, of strictly
avoiding all intercourse with the court
IL King Victor Emmanuel The severe
estrangement which prevailed be-
tween the papacy and the kingdom Of
italy was later illustrated by the adj
venture OF the poor King OF Portugal.
Who found himself obliged to quit
Rome without visiting either the pope
pr the king, as he could not show re
kpect to one without giving umbrage
10 the other.
In spite of these restraints
formed the acquaintance In private Of
several persons who were In touch
With the QuirinaI Among these was
i certain Count GuIieImo yescaro.
..Vescaro was a man who appeared
10 be OF good family. and he was sum
Eiently polite and WeIl-informed to be
an agreeable companion He was also
moderately well of for an Italian
shere the people are poorer than any
where else In the world, except In
Athens. In spite OF these advantages
/ perceived before very long that he
was unpopular, but found no reason
to- dropping his acquaintance.
"One taste Vescaro and possessed
IN common. this was . passion fol
gems Of all kinds, but especially cam
eos and intaglios. The members of the
Italian nobility are distinguished fol
their interest In curiosities OF thii
sort The heirs OF 1000 years Of civ
Hization. they find the same fascina
kion in . rare medal or antique that
Cur young men find In a new dancer
Il the theaters. or that You English
do in bulldog or prize fight.
1T was inevitable that should take
advantage of my mission to study
the famous collections of the Vatican
There II no other museum In Europe
TO be compared with this of the popes
ID which they have been accommodating
treasures for centuries, and which Ii
continually being added to at the pres
ent day. spent many hours every weeh
In exploring its recesses, and In con
versIng with Monsignor Perratti, Q
very learned Jesuit. who had the
superlntendency of the department
Of antiquities.
-On several occasions happened &c
meet my friend the count as | was or
my way to the museum. and pressed
him to accompany me. But he inyart
ably declined.
I have reasons, which | do moi
care to speak-about. for not wishing
20 be seen In the Vatican. he said tC
me on one OF these occasions. when
had permitted myself to be rather Inn
Fortunate During the period before
the holy father was deprived of tbs
temporal power, served In the papa
troops. and his holiness has perhaps
resented my subsequent adhesion u
the house or Savoy At all events
am not willing to expose myself to thu
risk Of being told that my presenc.
IN the Vatican is considered an In
aTusion.'
= could moi but respect Yescarl
SoF his deiicacy. though It SCENE,
A.