The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-02-25
Humble Loyalty
Of New Pope

Iowa City, Ia, Feb. 23.-IIis hum
bic loyalty is the striking quality of
the new pope, Plus XI, as noted by u
personal friend, DR.. B. L. Ullman
professor and head of the department
of Latin and Greek at the University
of Iowa.
"IIe was kindly and courteous and
q very human being" Professor Un-
man says.
II first met Achille .Ratti in 1906
when l visited the Ambrosian Library
at Milan TO examine certain Latin
manuscripts" DR.. Ullman said AT
that time he was plain doctor of the
Ambrosian' and acted as assistant IL
hrarian. The Ambrosian Library is
one of the famous libraries of Italy
and contains some very valuable man
uscripts. These manuscripts were
3atti's constant companions and
friends. He worked with them all day
long, examining and studying the old
treasures which he loved.
"The most striking quality which l
found in Ratti in 1906 was his atti-
tudc of respect, admiration, loyalty
and deep humility towards his super
ior, the librarian of the Ambrosian,
Antonio Ccriani. who even then was
i'll and who died soon after. 1t is
certain that Ccriani had 4 profound
influence on Achillc Ratti's life. After
, Ccriani's death, Ratti, who sue sepdcd
| him aS librarian, WAS very active in
| bringing out Il memorial volume Of
scholarly papers in Cerian's honor.
5 attitude toward Ceriani is no doubt
un indication OF one of the u 49,
chief qualities. his humble loyalty.
, "Ratti was Very helpful to me in my
work. not only in 1906, but also in
! 1907 and 1910, when | revisited TIE
! Ambrosian AMI spent some time there
| in intimate contact with the MAJ.
. Classical scholars and palacgraph-
erS respected Ratti for his excellent
] scholarship as displayed in numerous
) learned articles. These articles are
generally concerned With manu-
scripts.
II possess several of his ;rtclcS,
autographed copies which h' sent ne
| at various times. w kcp, mp a de-
sultory correspondence yro,n ucr nryt
meeting in 1906.
"In one of his article h ,clis
about rummaging amonE ~or!" cd
manuscripts and comm. upon certain
fragments which Suddenly at,rrctC C.
my attention and piqucd my curiosity.
! There you have the h?.artcris ti,: al
titude of the scholar makir; dis
I covery. 1t was grca. surprise &c
i me that he left the fie'r Cf scholarship
: for the diplomatic and cyo"uuive. We
have one more illustriorn example &c
prove that scholars - Is \ s''',nd.d
foundation for any care"r.
, II was greatly asto llsncG to earn
that the new pope was neajly C5
years old. Judging ,: the way he
: looked in 1910, my guess WAS Tha; he
was not much more ttim 81 at the
present time. He has many years
before him. The pictures recently pub
. lished are excellent ILLNESSES. The vcl V
! recent ones clearly show thr change
in facial expression du" 10 mis- change
Of occupation from the ticil Of uuic
scholarship to that OF more strenuous
executive work.
'In spite of the few weeks | spent
in his company, | feel that | know
the pope intimately because we sat
side by side all day long and el-
changed views on matters of common
. interest. He was kindly and courte-
Gus to me and very human 5c."G. In
1910 he discussed with Mrs u,lman.
who accompanied me, the bcs; n:orh
DDS Of sweeping up floors without
dust"