December 10 Saturday – From the New York Times of this date, p.4 (See also Nov. 7)

KNIGHTS OF THE ORDER OF PIUS

Charles L. Webster, the publisher, has been made a Knight of the Order of Pius by the Pope. The honor was conferred in recognition of Mr. Webster’s labors upon the life of the Pope, recently published. The Apostolic brief conferring the title arrived here during Mr. Webster’s absence in the West, and was held by Archbishop Corrigan until his return home on Dec. 3. Mr. Webster was then summoned to the palace, and the Archbishop performed the ceremony of bestowing the title, which consisted mainly of reading letters from Cardinal Ledochowski and Cardinal Rompolla announcing the honor that the Pope desired to confer upon him. The first of these letters was engrossed upon a piece of sheepskin two feet square, and was addressed to “Illustrious Sir Charles L. Webster.” The insignia of this order are a ribbon and a golden star of eight points, with a blue enamel face, interspersed with golden rays, and a small round medal in the centre, of white enamel, upon which letters of gold is inscribed: “Pius IX.” Around this medal is a narrow circle bearing the motto: “Virtuti et merito.”

The Order of Pius was instituted by Pope Pius IX. “to stimulate men of merit to still greater exertions in the cause of virtue and truth, and to offer them some recognition for their praiseworthy actions in civil society.” It is a continuation of the ancient order of the Knights of the Golden Spur.

C.H. Swan, Jr. , a boy aged sixteen, wrote from Boston to Sam, asking if it were a coincidence that his pseudonym was also a call in fathom depth on the rivers [MTP].