However, this calculation does not always apply.

Gregory XVI. ought to have died in 1834, but he did not actually vacate his see till 1846.

It is also well known that an ancient tradition forbids the hope of any of St. Peter’s successors, pervenire ad annos Petri; i. e., to reign 25 years.

Those who sat longest are

Years.Months.Days.
Pius VI.,who reigned24 614
Hadrian I.“231017
Pius VII.“23 5 6
Alexander III.“211123
St. Silvester I.“21 0 4

There is one numerical curiosity of a very remarkable character, which I must not omit.

The ancient Chamber of Deputies, such as it existed in 1830, was composed of 402 members, and was divided into two parties. The one, numbering 221 members, declared itself strongly for the revolution of July; the other party, numbering 181, did not favor a change. The result was the constitutional monarchy, which re-established order after the three memorable days of July. The parties were known by the following nicknames. The larger was commonly called La queue de Robespierre, and the smaller, Les honnêtes gens. Now, the remarkable fact is, that if we give to the letters of the alphabet their numerical values as they stand in their order, as 1 for A, 2 for B, 3 for C, and so on to Z, which is valued at 25, and then write vertically on the left hand the words, La queue de Robespierre, with the number equivalent to each letter opposite to it, and on the right hand, in like manner, Les honnêtes gens, if each column of numbers be summed up, the result is the number of members who formed each party.

12345678910111213
ABCDEFGHIJKLM
141516171819202122232425
NOPQRSTUVXYZ
L—12L—12
A— 1E— 5
S—19
Q—17
U—21H— 8
E— 5O—15
U— 5N—14
E— 5N—14
E— 5
D— 4T—20
E— 5E— 5
S—19
R—18
O—15G— 7
B— 2E— 5
E— 5N—14
S—19S—19
P—16181
I— 9
E— 5
R—18
R—18
E— 5
221
Majority221
Minority181
Total402