Page:On papal conclaves (IA a549801700cartuoft).djvu/120

 of eager contests after the death of Honorius of the Savelli blood in the adjoining family palace, the picturesque remains of which constitute still such a striking feature. The earliest Conclave recorded to have met within the Vatican precincts is that of 1303; and not till the election of Urban 1378, did a second assemble at the same spot. Then there followed again a series in various localities, until, in 1455, a succession of Vatican Conclaves began with Calixtus that was not broken until this transfer to the Quirinal in 1823.

Although apparently the Vatican has now become obsolete for electoral uses, its name stands so closely associated with the eventful traditions of Conclaves, that the reader will excuse a few words on the arrangements which on such occasions were made in this celebrated locality. The whole of the first floor of the pontifical palace was strictly shut off for the accommodation of the Cardinals and of the throng of individuals of various degrees who were appointed to share their imprisonment. Each Cardinal was lodged in a booth by himself, technically termed a cell, and erected in the vast halls constituting the Vatican