D. R. ROBERTSON, of Venice, in a recent issue of the English Churchman, writes on the King’s visit to the Pope, and informs British readers of the wholesome check which Protestant influence produced upon the character of the visit. The deplorable thing is that the Protestant King of a Protestant country should at all visit the Great Conspirator against the welfare of all nations. The following are Dr. Robertson’s words:—
“The strongly and wisely-worded protest of the Protestants of England against the visit of King Edward to the Vatican, which was published not only in England, but in Italy, by its leading newspapers, has had important results. If it did not stop the visit, it had the effect of entirely changing its character. Perhaps what King Edward saw with his own eyes in the streets of Rome of the feelings with which the Papal party is regarded may have also had its influence in bringing about the change I speak of. In the Piazza San Pietro a group of clerical students with their priests, elated at the proposed Vatican visit, cheered King Edward enthusiastically, throwing their caps in the air, whilst, as usual, they did not even salute King Victor Emmanuel. Their conduct roused the people near by, who set upon them, hissing, hooting, and hustling them. At San Pietro a group of priests made a demonstration, waving their three-cornered hats. Instantly the people turned upon them, and i poci prudente agitatori were suppressed. In the Via Venti Settembre, near the Quirinal Palace, an incident of a similar kind took place. The King of England was thus being pitted against the King of Italy, the Royal guest against the Royal host. King Edward was put in a very false and equivocal position. In fact, by his Vatican visit he was outraging the feelings of millions of his own and King Emmanuel’s loyal subjects, in order to gratify those in England and in Italy who are the subjects of the Pope, and therefore potentially disloyal to their respective sovereigns and countries. Probably this came home to King Edward, for the Vatican visit was entirely modified—indeed radically changed in character. It was arranged that he should go to see the Pope from the English Embassy, which was to be considered as non-Italian territory. It was arranged that he should go in full dress, escorted by a Royal retinue. It was arranged that Cardinal Rampolla, as the Pope’s Secretary of State, should receive King Edward and conduct him to the Pope’s private chamber. It was arranged that certain leading Italian and English Roman Catholic families should have places assigned them inside the Vatican palace, so as to be able to see and salute the King. It was arranged that King Edward should return to the English Embassy, where Cardinal Rampolla would return the visit in the name of the Pope. It was arranged that troops should line the streets through which King Edward was to go to the Vatican, who should present arms as he passed; also that a military band should accompany him, and that ropes should be stretched to keep back the people. Indeed, when King Edward left the Quirinal to go to the English Embassy he found all these arrangements made, but as soon as he entered the Embassy he intimated to the Minister of War his desire that all the troops should be withdrawn, which was done before he started on his unhappy visit. As a matter of fact, King Edward started for the Vatican from the English Embassy in a plain carriage, which was tightly closed and blinds drawn partially, so that no one could see him. He was dressed simply in black, and was accompanied by only three of his suite—the Hon. Charles Hardinge, General Sir Stanley Clarke, and Admiral the Hon. Medworth Lambton, the first being with him in the same carriage, and the other two in a second carriage behind. Cardinal Rampolla did not receive him at the Vatican, nor did he see him at all during the visit, nor after it.”