AFFAIRS OF THE OLD WORLD.
POPE LEO XIII. is recognized as a statesman of the highest order of ability, and it is believed that through his influence with the high prelates of the Church of Rome some means will be found to effect a reconciliation between the Papal See and the Italian Government. In the liberal journals of Rome several projects have been formulated looking to this end, evidently designed as mere tests of public opinion. According to one version of these proposals, the ex-royal and ducal families will resign their rights in favor of the Vatican; the Pope will crown Humbert I. king of Italy, and will grant him the territory of Italy in fee. A small territory will be allotted to the Pope, and a convention will fix the sum required for the maintenance of the Papal household. It will be remarked that in this proposal the Pope abandons all claim to Rome, or right of interference with the temporal power of the king of Italy. The monetary clause is evidently superfluous, as there is a large sum annually placed at the disposal of the Vatican, whenever it chooses to accept it. Another difficult problem, the resumption of official intercourse between the Papal and English courts, will probably be solved about the same time. It is reported that, under the advice and influence of Cardinal Manning, the Duke of Norfolk, the leading Catholic of England, is now in Rome for the purpose of making preliminary arrangements towards such a diplomatic movement.—S. F. Chronicle.