Page:On papal conclaves (IA a549801700cartuoft).djvu/21

 But if it is impossible to recover the exact features of particular Conclaves until the curious contents of these so long closed archives be dragged to light, there are yet other points of interest bearing on the general subject of Papal elections, which, though enveloped in no denser mystery than some amount of intricacy, have been likewise very imperfectly dealt with by all writers short of ponderous canonists. The points we allude to have reference to the constitutional forms of a Conclave—the modes in which a Pope might be created, the provisions devised to meet the exigencies of an interregnum, and the forthcoming political prerogatives that are called into existence on the occurrence of a Pope's decease. An exposition of these various matters would furnish a concrete view of the organization of the Holy See, for it is only during assembly for the creation of a Pope that the members of that See are in possession of definite powers. As an institution regulated by palpable laws, the Papacy exists only in the season of its creation; the moment it has been embodied it passes into the state of irresponsible incarnation, above all conditions, all liens, and all obligations.