praise, at least, can never be denied to her, this glory she has won forever, that for one hundred years she has been hospitable and generous; that she gave to the stranger a welcomeopened to him all the treasures of her liberty, gave him free scope 1 for all his ability, a free career, and fair play.

1

22. And this it is that most endears this republic to cther nations, and has made fåst friends for her in the homes of the peoples all over the earth. Not her riches, not her nuggets of gold, not her mountains of silver, not her prodigies of mechanical skill, great and valuable though these things be. It is this that most of all makes her name beloved and honored that she has been always broad and liberal in her sympathies; that she has given homes to the homeless, land to the landless; that she has secured for the greatest number of those who have dwelt on her wide domain a larger measure of liberty and peace and happiness, and for a greater length of time, than has ever been enjoyed by any other people on this earth. For this reason the peoples all over the earth, and through all time, will call this republic blessed. RICHARD O'GORMAN.2

Y

SECTION XIII.

I.

46. INTERVIEW WITH PIUS IX.

ESTERDAY morning a charming note came from Count Borromeo, informing me that his Holiness would gladly receive a visit from us at four o'clock this afternoon. Hence, at that hour we drove to the Vatican, the winter residence of the Pope, attired, according to the etiquette of the court, in independence of Ireland, he came to the United States in 1849, and has since resided in the city of New York, devoting himself to the legal profession.

1 Scōpe, room or opportunity to accomplish all that is possible.

2 Richard O'Gorman, native of Dublin, Ireland; graduate of Trinity College, Dublin; member of the Irish bar. Being associated with Davis, Smith O'Brien, and others in the unsuccessful movement of 1848 in favor of the legislative

3 Etiquette (ět'i kět'), the forms required by good breeding, or prescribed by authority, to be observed in social or official life.

deep black, with long black veils thrown over our heads. Passing a group of Swiss guards at the foot of the marble stairway, we were conducted by an officer along corridors,1 and through great apartments, to the ante-chamber.

2. The walls of this room were glowing with the radiant pictures of Raphael, of Murillo, Titian, and Guïdo. As we stood admiring these måsterpieces of paintings, Monsignor Talbot, an English bishop, joined us, and we then proceeded to the reception-room, which was a long saloon, with exquisitely frescoed ceiling, but no adornment of furniture. Near a table at one end of the room his Holiness was seated. He arose when we entered. Monsignor Talbot presented us, and immediately retired.

3. As we approached him, he held out his hands, and in a sweet voice said, "Welcome to Rome, my friends." I knelt before him and kissed his hands, with the earnest reverence I would feel for an honored parent. At once we glided into conversation, and were soon completely charmed by his genial manner, so honest and truthful. He is an exceedingly handsome man, about sixty years old we were told, although he appears much younger. His features are fine, and his eyes beautiful. The expression of his mouth is indescribably sweet, and his smile possesses a magnetic charm which draws to him all hearts.

He

4. Every word and look revealed the generous and sympathetic nature which, were it within his power, would gladly shield every human creature from sin, suffering, or sorrow. spoke of our country and its onward progress with deep and warm interest, calling it the "noble land of Washington." The New World, he remarked, had always been very dear to him, for the early days of his life as a priest had been passed in Buenos Ayres, South America. Its vast pampas 4 he had traversed, and crossed over the Andes to the Pacific shore of the continent. During his residence in Chili, Pope Gregory had recalled him to Italy, and soon after named him Bishop of Imola.5

3

1 Cŏr'ri dōr, a gallery or passageway leading to apartments independent of each other.

2 Monsignor (mon sin yor').

3 Buenos Ayres (bō'nus āʼriz). 4 Păm' pas, vast plains in the southern part of Buenos Ayres. 5 Imola (e'mo la), a city in Italy.

5. It was a perfect enjoyment to listen to his descriptions of those far-away lands, and of the sublime scenery of the lofty mountains whose summits are nearest heaven. We conversed at first in French and Spanish (English, the Pope said, he could never learn); but fearing it might be some effort to his Holiness to speak them, I begged he would address me in Italian, which, although not so familiar to me as the other languages, I could understand exceedingly well. How glad I was afterward that this thought came to me, for his utterance of the Italian was as soft and melodious as the strains of music, so rich, full, and sonorous.1

6. The orations of Cicero 2 and the verses of Virgil3 were worthy of a language harmonious like this; for, though the Italian is somewhat changed, it is still the daughter of the Latin, and has all the ex'quisite grace of expression and flowing elegance of the parent tongue. Then the Holy Father dwelt with touching eloquence upon the goodness of God, which had so miraculously saved him from a terrible death during the accident at the convent of St. Agnese.

7. He related to us the incidents of that frightful scene. Some catacombs had been recently discovered near the church, and his Holiness went to visit them, accompanied by a large suite of cardinals, bishops, and foreign ambassadors. After exploring the subterranean hōme of the dead, they proceeded to the convent near by. In a great, old room of the building, long unused, the monks had prepared a collation. The Pope was seated in an immense oaken chair, with a high back and

enormous arms.

8. Before he began to taste the refreshments, a number of boys from a neighboring school were brought in to receive his blessing. He had just given it to them, and had commanded

1 So nō'rous, clear and loud in Mantua, October 15, B.C. 70; died at sound.

2 Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman orator, statesman, and philosopher, born at Arpinum, January 3, B.C. 106; assassinated, December 7, B.C. 43.

3 Virgil, a Roman poet, born near

Brundusium, September 22, B.C. 19. 4 Căt'a combs,underground places anciently used for the burial of the dead. The most celebrated are those near Rome, on the Appian Way, where the early Christians were buried.

the servants to bring him some of the delicacies to distribute among the children, when a fearful crash was heard, and the floor sank into a vault below, thirty feet deep. Shrieks of terror and appalling cries of the wounded resounded through the convent. The crowd without rushed along the corridors leading to the banquet-room. The walls alone were standing. Far below there was a mass of rafters and stones of the paved floor, and crushed and bleeding bodies.

9. "Save our Father! save his Holiness!" was the first thought animating the hearts of the throng around. Through the vaults below they found their way to the scene of dişăster, and removing tables, chairs, and mangled forms of men and children, at last they reached the great oaken chair, which had fallen over the Pope, and thereby preserved him from serious injury, perhaps from instant death. They raised it, and to their joy the good Pope was unhurt. His hands were clasped in prâyer for the suffering creatures around him. He seemed to have no thought of himself.

10. "Oh! how frightful must have been your emotions when you felt the floor sinking beneath you!" I exclaimed, as I listened. He looked at me almost reproachfully, as he said, "No, my daughter, I was cälm; for in that fearful moment I felt I was in the hands of a gracious God, who would save me if it were His Divine Will; but my heart was pierced with agony as I heard the screams of the innocent children, and I thought of the poor mothers rendered desolate by this horrible accident; for I then believed many were killed, and that others would die of their wounds. However, the result has proved less severe than I imagined, and, with the blessing of the Almighty, I trust all may recover.”

11. The Pope asked my little daughter her name, and she replied "Octavia," while I added, "She bears my name, and I was called after the Roman Octavia, whose character my mother greatly admired." Whereupon his Holiness uttered a most charming panegyric1 upon the character of my illustrious namesake, saying, “You should be proud of that name, for even now, in Rome, you will find an undying remembrance of the

1 Pǎn'e gyr'ic, a discourse in praise of some person or action.

noble and generous qualities of the Roman Octavia, and many monuments to her memory."

12. I wish I could repeat to you all the words the Pope said, they were so genial, sparkling with intellect, and warm with kindness. After one hour's interview we både him farewell. But ere we left him he gave me his benediction. As I knelt before him, he placed his hands upon my head, saying, "May. the blessing of God descend upon you, and His Holy Spirit guide you into all truth; may God's providence protect you and yours, and bring you in peace to the world of the redeemed."

13. The tones of his voice were so solemn, so full of affectionate feeling, tears of gratitude burst from my eyes, as I eagerly, and with the utmost veneration, kissed the hands he extended to raise me up. Then I asked him to bless my child; and she, kneeling before him, likewise received his benediction, and we withdrew. We were all deeply impressed with the honesty, the truth, and nobleness of the Supreme Pontiff, and with a sincere admiration of his kind manner and cordial reception of us.

14. In the ante-chamber we met again Monsignor Talbot, an extremely intelligent man, who had spent some years traveling in the United States. He accompanied us to our carriage, and after a little pleasant conversation we drove away. It was a bewitching afternoon, and the grand colonnade1 of St. Peter's was bathed in a golden flood of the sun's parting rays. The fountains were joyously casting up their bright waters, and "earth and air seemed in a holiday mood." It is impossible for me to tell how happy I was, thinking of the sweet visit to his Holiness, and looking upon the grandeur which encircled us. The blessing and the prayer of that saintly man will be forever, precious to my soul, and dear to me as the memory of the loved and lost.

MADAME LE VERT.

II.

47. RAPHAEL.

HE last great picture which Raphaël undertook, and which at the time of his death was not quite completed, was the

1 Cŏl'on nāde', a range of columns placed at regular intervals.