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Show Pathetic Picture cf Leo's Lest Days. It is indeed difficult to obtain accurate informa-tiou informa-tiou front Home concerning the condition of the 1'ope. Isow and then correspondents manage by roundabout methods to gain an inkling of the true state of Leo's health. It is evident that every effort at suppression is being made and that this remarkable remark-able old churchman is gradually passing into the shadows. The Pall Mall Gazette's Borne correspondent correspond-ent is in a position to obtain authentic news concerning concern-ing the declining days of the Pontiff. He paints a pathetic picture of the aged Pope. In iew of the contradictory reports regarding Leo's condition the following .from the Oazette'g Borne. correspondent will clear the mind of doubts concerning Leo. XIII. "Those who have seen the Pope lately say tbe difference differ-ence is not so much in his capacity to accomplish as in his desire. He is as wakeful as ever at night, but now very seldom rises from his bed to compose Latin poems or to write and study, and those who watch over him have been surprised that this spring he never once said he would like to go into the garden. gar-den. The first trip intp the open has always beea one of inevitable struggles between the Pontiff and Dr. Lapponi. Pope Leo comes of a race of mountaineers, moun-taineers, and consequently loves fresh air and has a theory that one cannot have too much of it- 'The older I am the more I need air,- he has maintained with a twinkle in his eye, which betokened that he was bound to have his own way at all costs. But this year, to the terror of his familiars, his mood has changed. When it was timidly hinted the other day that his grape vines needed his attention be replied: 'I can trust Giovanni; he knows more about them than I do,' which brought tears to the eyes of the faithful old attendant, who knows that only two months ago his Holiness contended that Giovanni did not know anything, and tiat he himself was the only authority. The real truth,' concludes tbe correspondent, cor-respondent, "is that Pope Leo, when not giving private pri-vate audiences and they are now made as short as possible -ia usually resting, which means half sleeping, sometimes almost degenerating into coma." This pictnre is one that will draw tearir ta the eyes of the -Roman Catholic and it will affect every one who has followed the career of this able wonderful old man who has made world history during dur-ing his long reign. - |