POPE PIUS IX.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 299, 27 February 1878, Page 4

POPE PIUS IX.

Tub death of the Pope will take no one by surprise. His great age, and increasing infirmities, precluded the hope that his time on earth could be much longer extended. Elected Sovereign Pontiff on the 16th June, 1846, Pious IX. has passed away after a rule of thirty two years of by nc means the least eventful in the history of the Catholic Church. Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferreti—the deceased Pope—was born in 1792, and being ordained a priest was despatched on a mission to Chili in 1823. He was appointed Archbishop of Spoleto in 1832, and in 1840 he was made a Cardinal. On the death of Gregory XYI, Cardinal Ferrcti was elected Pope, and assumed the name of Pious IX. The new Pontiff commenced his reign as a reformer; he disbanded bis Swiss guard, pardoned some 2000 political offenders, lightened the taxes, and reformed civil abuses. In 1848, when the spirit of democracy and revolution spread over Europe, the people proclaimed Home a Republic, and the Pope had to escape in disguise to Gaota. With the aid of France, the city of Rome was recovered, and the Pope returned to his capital in 1849, order being preserved by a French garrison. From that time till the loss of his temporal power, the reign of Pins IX was in marked contrast with the policy he initiated on his election to the Papal chair. Public opinion was stilled, the prisons were filled, education was neglected, and the industry, the commerce, and the finances of the Papal dominions were reduced to the lowest ebb. In 1870 the Papal States passed into the possession of Italy, and Romo became the capital of that Kingdom. The influence of the Pope was in no way diminished hy the loss of his temporal power, and, in fact, during the last few years, the Catholic Church has exhibited more vigor than for a long period previously.

Strangers and country settlers coming to Carlyle, are very often at a loss to know which is the best and cheapest General Drapery and Clothing Establishment in the district. R. A. Adams’ Cardigan House, offers special advantages that can be met with nowhere else in the district. He keeps the largest and best assorted stock of every description of drapery goods, imported direct —and from the best colonial houses ; which, being bought on the most advantageous terms, and having thorough knowledge of the business, enables him to offer goods of sterling quality at prices that cannot be improved on by any other house in New Zealand. Every article is marked in plain figures, from which there is no deviation ; so that inexperienced people are as well served as the best judges, the terms being net cash, without rebate, or abatement of any' kind. Note the address—R. A. Ada MR ; Cardigan House, nearly opposite Town Hall; Carlyle,— advx.