Page:On papal conclaves (IA a549801700cartuoft).djvu/37

 recurrence. As the Constitutions of Nicolas II. and Alexander III. are the fundamental instruments for the organic powers of franchise vesting in the College of Cardinals, so must that of Gregory X. be held to be the fundamental instrument for the ceremonial which has come to be observed on the occasion of Cardinals meeting in Conclave; for the modifications that have been subsequently introduced affect only points of detail. In this memorable decree the principle was first laid down of locking up the Church's electors, with the view of shutting out the action of secular influences. It had before happened that Cardinals suffered imprisonment at the hands of violence, but now it was decreed that they should always be immured as long as they were engaged in the sacred avocation of creating a Pope. It was ruled that on a Pope's decease ten days must. be allowed to elapse before his successor could be chosen, with the view of thriving time for Cardinals at a distance to come to Conclave; on the tenth day the Cardinals present could proceed to an election, the legitimacy of which could not be impugned on account of the absence of any colleagues. Meeting in the very palace wherein the Pope died, in the