The Story of the Mountain
Mount Saint Mary's College and Seminary

Commencement was held June 28, 1854. "Emmitsburg," says a reporter, "still wears its venerable and conservative outside, evincing but little interest in the progress and modern improvements of the times in which we live. . . ." Rev. Dr. Cummings, of New York, was to address the graduates, but found to his alarm that one of them had chosen his own theme, "Public Opinion." A way was found out of the fix by making the stranger speak first. The other discourses were on "The Crescent and the Cross," by Charles N. Morse, of New Orleans; "Public Opinion," by Augustine J. McConomy, of Lancaster, the valedictorian; "Human Progress and Perfectibility," by Edward M. Morse, of New Orleans; "Steadiness of Purpose," by Charles Monmonnier, of Baltimore; "Exercise," by George Carroll Jenkins, of Baltimore. Dr. McCaffrey, as well as Bishop Michael O'Connor, of Pittsburg, also made addresses. There were six graduates. Rev. Henry McMurdie was ordained at Loretto, Pa., by the Bishop of Pittsburgh, Aug. 15 of this year. David B. Walker, '55, became first prefect.

As we recorded in its place, Father Francis Xavier Gartland, '32, had been made first Bishop of Savannah, Georgia. This year the yellow fever raged there and counted among its victims the devoted bishop. The following is his last letter to his Alma Mater. It is of date Sept. 14, 1854:

Rev. and dear Friend: . . . You have already heard of our painful and desolate condition the yellow fever raging for several weeks past several of our physicians carried off by it, Bishop Barren also gone, not the victim of the pestilence, but of his charity and zeal for the salvation of souls. He came to us just in the midst of the pestilence and with his usual zeal and devotedness, seeing our destitute condition, set to work and unfortunately for us overtaxed himself to such a degree as to bring on a violent attack of his malady, asthma, which brought on pneumonia, causing his death. In the meantime there were but three priests with me, Rev. Wm. O'Neill, Rev. N. Kirby and Rev. Undengly. The two former were taken down. Mr. K. was so heavily salivated that as soon as he was able to move about I had to allow him to leave town. Mr. O' N. went to his work again, and again he is down, and I have been for several days quite indisposed, though I have reason to believe not seriously so. At this moment and for several days Rev. Undengly is alone on duty and having to prepare from 53 to 60 patients in the course of the day for death nothing but confession and that only partial, and absolution. It is impossible to do more than what is absolutely indispensable paying special attention of course to the subject of repentance. This is our condition at present. To add to our afflictions the most terrific gale or hurricane that ever I experienced came upon us last Friday 8th inst. and the destruction that has ensued is appalling. Our streets were all lined with large shade trees most of them were broken off near the ground or torn up by the roots. Scarcely a building with a tin roof but has been stripped, among the rest our own dwell ing and the new addition to the front of our church. In the midst of this terrific storm Bp. Barren was sick in my house and three others. I had him removed to my front parlor to protect him from the rain and next day to Mr. Prendergast's, where he died day before yesterday and where I am at present making my home. The average of interments in our cemetery for each month of the past year has been from seventeen to twenty in July only nineteen August one hundred and twenty-two. This result will be much, very much larger. The number of deaths last week in the city, that is, from Thursday to Thursday, has been two hundred and ten, and it is now supposed that there are not five thousand white persons in the city. All who could do so have fled. I cannot tell you all. Our situation is truly appalling. Pray for us and ask prayers from all at the Mountain, also from the good sisters at St. Joseph's. I have no objections to your sending this scrawl to Mother Etienne. We need the prayers of our friends abroad. For with us there is no Mass no office it is impossible to attend to them. On Sunday alone we try to have a couple of low Masses for the few that can attend. God alone knows where all this will end. Tell the Prendergasts that all of their family that are here are well; I believe the families of the other lads from this place are also thus far safe. Once more procure all the prayers you can for us. Respects to all our friends. Yours most sincerely in Xt. Frs. Xav., Bp. of Savannah.

This "good shepherd" died of the plague six days after this letter was written.

The First Provincial Council of New York, including the dioceses of New York, New Jersey and New England, began Sept. 30, 1854. Of the eight prelates composing it, four, including the Archbishop, were Mountaineers.

It was this year that Mr. Carroll Spence, the fellow-graduate of Abp. Elder and others in 1837, received from the United States government the appointment of Minister to Turkey. His brother, Charles Lowell Steward Spence, also a Mountaineer, accompanied him. We give one of the letters written by the former previous to his departure, in farewell to his Alma Mater:

Washington, Oct. 3, 1854.

Mr. McCaffery:

My dear friend: I cannot leave this country without writing a few lines to bid you farewell. I assure you that I shall ever remember with feelings of pleasure the kindness which you extended to me when a student and the friendship with which you now honor me. Goodbye, my old friend ! May God grant you all the happiness to which your many virtues entitle you. Remember me to Messrs. Elder, Cony, Beleke, McCloskey and tender them my adieux with my sincere wishes for their happiness. Had time permitted, I should certainly have visited the Mountain for "auld lang sync's" sake, but I have been for the last two weeks in Washington examining questions connected with my mission which have arisen since my appointment. Instead of reading dispatches and looking into records 1 should have been pleased had I been allowed to employ my time in taking farewell of my friends. Be so kind as to read the letter in which this is enclosed to your faculty. Your picture is at Barren's, frame maker, corner Howard and Saratoga Street. I sail on Sunday, again farewell. Your friend most truly, Carroll Spence.

This gentleman was a Baltimorean, but not a Catholic. He made a large collection of paintings, of which he gave several to his Alma Mater, and they hang on her walls, with others of more or less value, some possibly of great price. He reached great distinction in the diplomatic service.

William Miles, now Consul at Callao, writes to Dr. McCaffrey, Dec. 23, 1854, in reference to the purchase of one of the Elder plantations, now known as Hayland, where in fact he built a mansion and resided in his latter years:

"So, if nothing occurs to prevent it, we shall be at least near you, but not so near as Clairvaux. I did hope to have Clairvaux; to decorate those graveyards and put a chapel in the meadow not far off. All those places are sacred spots! The first school, the brick house, the old Elder chapel and the graveyards! Who is to write their history, who is to find out all the facts and let us know them? Sea-faring persons and rovers love the country. To me winter there has every charm of summer.

"I have written some of my sentiments to your Greek professor to go by this mail. I can never forget the Mountain and its inhabitants; nothing can efface those recollections. Uncle Jemmy Cretin and his pretty, if untrained, children, and all the rest of the good Mountain parish, often come before me, and I can see the Church, be present in mind at its services and celebrations, and hear you talk, at almost any time I choose. ..."

Uncle Jemmy Cretin, when the chronicler met him in 1884, still lingered in Sleepy Hollow, or Cosy Dell as they called it. He died slowly and standing like one of the oaks he knew and loved so well. Though tall and majestic in his eightieth year, and recalling the patriarchs in his venerable appearance, he was undemonstrative and silent, as dwellers of the forest commonly are. We were strangers, too, and knew nothing that would draw him out. Doubtless with old acquaintances he could talk freely enough. It was a great treat to witness the quiet delight of those old Mountaineers when Archbishop Elder in his old age used to walk around visiting them, who were children with himself in auld lang syne. One of Jemmy's "untrained" daughters had some poetic ability and described very prettily the charms of Cosy Dell in the local papers.

Rev. Geo. Flaut to Dr. McCaffrey.

Baltimore, Dec. 14, 1854.

Rev. and dear Friend: I hear nothing, except indirectly from the good old Mountain. I saw some of the missioners for a short time, who seem to have been much pleased with the Mountain, where I am sure they have left a good impression. In their missionary course they seldom find so well disposed a people as yours, or a people so well instructed as the Mountain folks who have heard so many good instructions. ... I hear that you have lost some members of your little flock, or rather I hope sent them home to heaven where they never can be lost. A most favored people who have the happiness to die and repose under the sweet shade of Holy Mary's Mount. How much better and sweeter than to die in a noisy, bustling city! I understand that your school is very large, but as all kinds of eatables are high it will not be very profitable. I spent a month during the Fall in New York and Albany and had it not been that I was begging, which you know is always more or less disagreeable, it would have been one of the pleasantest mouths of my life. It was among my dear old Mountain friends, who received me with heart as large as the Mountain itself. Seeing how closely they are united together in affection and in the interest of their common great Master, and what good they are doing, I felt proud of the old Mountain which has done so much for religion. Considering the obscurity and loneliness of your situation with regard to the world, and seeing the good which it has done and is doing, we may say with St. Paul, that God has chosen the little and mean things to confound the great. The great lights which are to enlighten cities are prepared and kindled in the shade of your Mountain. . . .

As you and your fellow laborers have often kindly invited me to return to the dear old Mount, if you are yet willing when the Archbishop returns, I shall leave all and go. All I will ask is a small room in the garret and something to eat, where I may do penance for my sins and prepare for eternity. . . .

As showing the classical taste of those days, 1854, we give the letter by which an eminent priest of New York, the founder and pastor of St Stephen's, Manhattan, that city, acknowledged his admission into the Philomathian and accepted their invitation to address them on Commencement day.

Jeremias Cummings.

Philomatheanae Societatis Moderatoribus Salutem.

Pergratum mihi aceidit quod per vestras literas compertus sum, me scilicet in Philomatheanum Coetum, sociorum suffragiis esse numeratum. Enimvero cum semper in deliciis mihi fuerit bonarum artium studiis operam dare, insignium atque doctorum virorum amicitia, hujuscemodi studia foveri sentio et cohonestari. Ut maximas igitur meo nomine universe coetui gratias agatis, vos etiam atque etiam rogatos volo. Quod vero pertinet ad desiderium quod apud vos exstat, ut sub anni fine inter publicas quae haberi solent exercitationes verba faciam, in vestra vota transiens meliori quo possum modo quod petitis praestabo. Certe gratum erit et vos invisere et studiis vestris per breve saltern tempus sociari, quod uti lubentiori animo per me fiat amore et reverentia qua utor erga Collegium San'ctae Mariae commoveor. Novi Eboraci, XIV Kalendas Martii, A. E. S. MDCCCLIV.

Augusto J. McConomy, Philomatheanorum Coetus A Secretis, etc., etc., etc.

The priest, who wrote this reply and who delivered the address referred to sent his nephew here, Henry McDowall, '61, who afterwards went to the Propaganda, and dying pastor of St. Agnes' church, New York, left us the valuable library which his uncle, himself a Propagandist, had bequeathed to him.

One is charmed with the courteous tone of the correspondence between the literary societies and the professors or the honorary members living outside, a tone that is due probably to the fact that the great majority of the pupils were from the Southern States. Presents also were interchanged, and when Dr. McFarland went to Fordham College in 1845 the Philomathian voted him "fifteen dollars, or its value in books," and a delightful letter of thanks for his services as critic.

The feature of electing professors, distinguished alumni and others honorary members was much in vogue, and the letters of acceptance are often models of polite recognition. Here is Father McMurdie's letter:

E Seminakio Sanctae Mariae Ad Montem. 19KAL. Jan. 'LIV.

H. S. I. McMuBDlE, Societati Philomathecmae 8. D.

Vestras literas me quamvis indignum invitautes ut ex vobis unus devenirem heri accepi. Nihil mihi gratius contingere posset, et pro his maximas meas gratias accipiatis. Nimium mihi honoris facitis, sed benevolentiam vestram et benignitatem erga me, ante oculos semper habebo.

Debeo quod scitis semper magnis vacare officiis, tamen si quid mihi fuerit otii, summa cum voluptate ad societatis salutem provehendam operam dabo. Vobis sum addictissimus.

H.S.I. McMurdie.

The College had this year the honor and happiness of seeing and hearing the renowned American missionaries, Fathers Hecker, Walworth and Hewit. The chronicler feels privileged in having had personal acquaintance with those great priests who, with Fathers Baker and Deshon, some years later founded the Paulist community and essayed the conversion of the non-Catholics of our country.

We translate from the "Annals of the Redemptorist Order," to which the priests then belonged:

"Fathers Walworth, Hecker and Hewit betook themselves to the very celebrated College of Mount St. Mary, near Emmitsburg, Maryland, Archdiocese of Baltimore, to give a retreat to the students and a mission to the faithful frequenting the Old Mountain Church. Rev. Dr. McCaffrey, President of the College, with the other priests, received with extreme "When the time for parting arrived the students assembled in front of the College and bade the fathers farewell, Fathers Walworth and Hecker making brief speeches and the boys shouting joyous return and giving three cheers for the United States, for its conversion, and for Mount St. Mary's College. Of the people, three hundred and fifty, and of the boys one hundred and fifty received Holy Communion."

A correspondent of the Baltimore Mirror, writing of this event, says:

"Long before daybreak you might discern from the hill a solitary lantern flitting around the College; a moment after came the chime of the bell for early Mass, and you could see the windows brightening up one by one, while far over the plain below, from farm and cottage, came the moving lights, all tending towards the Church,

As stars toward the sun. Repairing, in their golden urns draw light.

The most beautiful and most impressive of all the ceremonies was the solemn renewal of baptismal vows. Before a font richly decorated and enveloped in light the whole crowded congregation with one voice repeated aloud their renunciation of Satan and their adhesion to God. It was a scene profoundly affecting for all. ... As for the boys, none who were present can ever forget the last cheer that shook the walls of Alma Mater in honor of the blessed name she bore. . . . The Redernptorists have added another charm to the classic ground of the Mountain."

Half a century passed but the memory of that mission and of those apostolic men had not died out. " How beautiful upon the Mountain are the footsteps of the messengers that bring good tidings to Zion!"

At the College a Gymnastic Association drafted a constitution and by-laws at this time. (Nothing could be launched at all in those days without a " Constitution " more or less elaborate.) The association had a director, secretary, treasurer, storekeepers, chosen from among themselves by a governing board of six elected by the society, the first prefect of the College being ex-officio president. The initiation fee was 50 cents, the semi-annual dues 12 ½ cents.

On May 15, 1855, the Landing of the Pilgrims was celebrated, the dramatic performance taking place the evening of the 14th. "At half-past nine in the morning of the 15th the military companies drew up in front of the College, and after parading over the grounds and firing three or four volleys marched out of the gate with flying colors, bright arms and uniforms, the Mountain brass band led by Dr. Dielman playing in advance. Opposite St. Joseph's the companies halted, fired a salute, and then marched on through Emmitsburg to the Catholic Church where they again saluted. After parading through the main streets for some time, firing at intervals, they returned in the same order as they had gone out. The day was fair and favorable, the heat being somewhat oppressive, and the companies, well drilled and ably commanded, presented a gallant military appearance. Captain Jenkins and the other officers of the Rifle Company deserve great credit, as do also the officers of the Archers and Spears. The whole line was ably commanded by Colonel Walker, of the Mounted Dragoons. After a dinner of substantial eatables, such as efficient soldiers know how to do justice to, the companies marched up the hill and fired in front of the large cross erected in front of the Church and then descended into the valley, accompanied as before by the Mountain brass band.

"Having visited White Cottage and Clairvaux, at each of which places they paraded for some time, they returned to the College in high spirits. The military concert which came off in the evening terminated the exercises of the day. H. E. Casamajor's oration on the glories of the Maryland Line was well received by the young soldiers before him. After he had ended, the Rev. Dr. McCaffrey, President of the College, made some remarks upon the uniform gallant behavior of the old Mountaineers in the Mexican War and concluded by enjoining on those of 1855 the practice of those virtues which make the true patriot, which render him in peace a good citizen, and in war nerve his arm with ten-fold vigor in his country's cause."

The Catholic Mirror of Baltimore some years later upbraids the Catholics for not celebrating the Landing of the Pilgrims, and points by way of contrast to the Plymouth Rock people. Little societies are always more active than great ones. Catholics are so confident and have so many church feasts that they neglect civil ones. At length in 1906 the government of Maryland made the day a State holiday, and it is to be hoped we Catholics will for the future take our share in the celebration.

Helman, in his History of Emmitsburg, from which we have several times quoted, tells us that "The College boys came on parade to the town on Washington's birthday, one company with guns, another with bows and arrows, a third with spears. It was a great day. The Faculty in carriages, the band with other young professors and students. The town and country boys of course followed and scrambled for the arrows, and usually organized one or two companies in imitation. ..."

Abp. Kenrick invited Dr. McCaffrey to be one of his theologians at the Provincial Council of 1855 and to preach the funeral oration of the deceased prelates. Bishop Young, of Erie, sent him a similar invitation, "if I be not too presumptuous in making the request. ... If a see should be erected at Washington, I do not know one for whom I could vote more safely and conscientiously than the president of Mt. St. Mary's. ..."

George H. Miles, as we said, was Dr. McCaffrey's godson, and his letters to the President are most genial, confidential and affectionate in matter and style. We saw how he bantered the old gentleman on his fall from a horse, bidding him choose a beast more becoming a sedate clergyman ; suggested that he rouse himself and show the world what he is and can do; now he insists that the new plantation shall be called Hayland. "If you value your reputation as a man even of moderate taste never object to Hayland again. Oh I the fragrant hay! ... It was the longest day in the year and over the rolling deep green fields we wandered until eight o'clock. When the sun went down in the west I sent my respects with him to you : he always seems to set just behind your room in the trees around the fountain. ..."

This year, 1855, a catalogue was issued for the first time since 1836, when "The Calendar of Mt. St. Mary's College" was published. In the new catalogue we find the Faculty list, etc., very much as in all succeeding ones. Rev. John McCaffrey, D. D., was President and Professor of Rhetoric; John McCloskey, A. M., Vice-President and Treasurer; Wm. H. Elder, D. D., Theology, Church History and Scripture; H. S. I. McMurdie, A. M., Moral Philosophy and History; Wm. G. McCloskey, A. M., Latin; David Whelan, A. M., English. Messrs. Caspar J. Beleke, A. M., LL. D., German and French; Bernard Quinn, A. M., Greek ; Charles O'Leary, A. M., Chemistry and Nat. Phil.; Patrick McCahill, A. M., Mathematics; Augustin Van Schalckwyck, French ; Henry Dielman, Mus. D., Music; James D. Hickey, Drawing and Writing.

Before this mere programs were at first written for Commencement day; later printed ones were used. When the first catalogue was a-compiling an excellent youth, afterwards a prominent citizen of the town referred to, exclaimed : "For pity's sake put me down 'Maryland,' not 'Port Tobacco!'" "Port Tobacco" was on the west side of the Chesapeake, but was usually classed with the "Eastern Sho'," which was a constant subject of merriment for persons who had not the good fortune to call it their home.

The Commencement was held June 27th, 1855, with ten graduates. The prefects were: David B. Walker, Peter C. Fagan, Michael Vaughan and John Koch. No general honors were awarded this year.

Carroll Spence, hearing that Dr. McCaffrey had been made a bishop, writes from Constantinople, Aug. 6, 1855, congratulating him, and giving details about the famous Crimean War, in which France, England, Austria and Sardinia helped the Turk against the Muscovite. He compares the Catholics of the Turkish capital with those of the United States, and contrasts both very favorably with those he had known in parts of Europe.

Turning from the Levant to the Occident, we find ourselves in New Jersey:

Newark, Aug. 27, 1855.

Rev. and dear Sir: The bearer, Master Michael Corrigan, is the son of one of our most respectable Catholic citizens. He has been for some time in Wilmington, but his father is anxious that he should enjoy greater advantages in the way of learning, etc., and has determined to commit him to your care. He is a good boy and I believe very attentive to his books; I therefore recommend him to you with a good deal of confidence. If he should turn out a good priest one of these days, so much the better. I remain with sincere regard, yours, James, Bp. of Newark.

The boy so modestly introduced to the mountain College wore for seventeen years the archiepiscopal mitre of New York the successor of Hughes and McCloskey. We shall see more of him in this history.

The nomination of Dr. McCaffrey to the See of Charleston by the last Council seems to have created something of a stir among Mountain circles. Rt. Rev. George A. Carrell writes from Covington, Aug. 29: " 'Them Bulls' will soon be coming. My friend, Rev. R. B. Hardy, is sojourning with me. We were talking over these matters when he remarked: 'Mr. Wood, who is rawboned and very like a Scotchman, ought to have been put down for Charleston ; he would suit the climate and the climate would suit him. Dr. McCaffrey's physical constitution would not suit, the climate would soon finish him.' I have heard two or three others say the same thing. Then to put Mac. in a place whose debt ($30,000) killed the late incumbent! 'A place that has not more Catholics than the city of Covington !' So the late Bishop Reynolds remarked to me. Bp. Whelan, who would make an Abp., has a diocese that will hardly support a decent priest. Rome will know these things. ..."

Mr. George Miles was at this time connected with the Mirror, the Catholic paper of Baltimore. He writes to "Godfather," Oct. 26, 1855:

... I have made my mark on that paper already, and if you will condescend to assist me in tuning the organ up to a proper metropolitan pitch, we shall make music worth listening to. I should dearly like to have a contribution of McMurdie's: say to him that he shall have it all his own way in theology, etc. A column a week from him would give the paper at once a front rank, and would do him no harm. . . . Between us all, have we not genius and industry enough to create a paper of larger calibre than the American cockney bore? President, it is time for you to stir yourself the chance is offered you, and likely for the last time, of making the Mirror your organ: mark my words, the Jesuits will get it the paper unless you aid me. I have not time to fight the battle alone. In God's name, let us three consecrate a part of our abilities to nursing this weakest suckling of the American Church. There ends my eloquence. You have done wonders for religion miracles in other men but trifles for you. Not only does Heaven exact from you your great mind still more, but unless you extend your range, instead of developing, you will contract. You have been stagnating a year, for lack of intellectual exercise: so write, or expect another impudent lecture. . . .

Dr. Dielman published a " Short, complete and easy Mass, including a Veni Creator, with accompaniment for the organ." It was dedicated to Rev. John McCloskey, Vice-President.

Traveling in 1855 was rather slow. A correspondent tells the Catholic Instructor of Philadelphia how he went by rail from that city to Hanover, and then at six p. m. " had the good fortune to get a seat in a stage which brought him to Emmitsburg between two and three next morning, after traversing as rugged a road as can be found, as rugged as is, they say, the road to Heaven, but the journey was made tolerable by the unfailing good nature of the proprietor of the stage, one White."

The Purcell had seventy-two members this year.

The swimming hole in Tom's Creek was still a great center of attraction for all the boys both of the College and of the country around.

Father Patrick Corry, '37, for eleven years a professor at the College, died July 4 in Philadelphia. One of his pupils received first prize in a mathematical contest at Paris the year previous.

Father William Byrne, '59, afterwards President, lived in Baltimore in the Know-Nothing times, and says that the life of a Catholic, at least an Irish Catholic, was in some danger. Maryland and Kentucky, peopled by the same English race, were the great Know-Nothing states, Maryland alone, however, electing a Know-Nothing governor. The rioters of Baltimore, such as the "Blood Tubs," "Plug Uglies," "Black Snakes," "Rip Raps," and others formed secret and oath-bound societies. A jeweler told the chronicler how his father did a rushing business in badges and emblems, the "blood tub" in particular consisting of a miniature tub with a drop of red sealing wax overflowing in it. The awl was used with great effect in dislodging obnoxious voters from their place in file before the polls, and in processions they had a portable forge with a smith making these terrible instruments. They held the city for years, but at last the State rose against them, and the hanging of four rioters in the presence of thirty thousand people closed this page of the "Chronicles of Baltimore." Even at Emmitsburg in those days drunkenness and disorderly conduct were common, doubtless a ripple from Baltimore.

Boston, Jan, 17, '54. "The discipline of the Mountain is more rigid than that of other colleges. I know it and am proud of it," writes a priest.

May 28, '54. A man signing name and address proposes giving Dr. McCaffrey information about the "Know Nothings," for "some remuneration" to be agreed upon. He claims to hold '' a prominent place in this society, the object of which is the downfall of the Catholic Church in this country. ..."

Bishop (Card.) McCloskey writing to Dr. McCaffrey Jan. 31, 1854, lets in a ray of light on his own agreeable character and on that of his correspondent: "... I had quite calculated on a visit from you while on your way to or returning from Cincinnati. As usual I have been disappointed, and I regret it the more as I must confess I am a little interested in having an opportunity to discuss more fully that subject which we have not yet decided, what is the world coming tot . . ."He goes on to ask for priests, alludes to the death of Father Thomas McCaffrey, and ends by saying: "I am rejoiced to hear so many good accounts of the flourishing condition of your college. Long may it prosper! But tell me, what it the world coming tot . . . "

Aug. 22, '54. George Miles writing to his Godfather Dr. McCaffrey describes the baptism of his Jewess grandmother very beautifully"the pilgrim of 82 with more than infantile innocence. ..."

The relations between Fathers Obermeyer' 37 and John B. Byrne ' 38, afterwards Bishop-Elect of Pittsburg, seem to have been very cordial and this letter reveals the heart of the former:

St. Vincent's Church, Baltimore, Feast of St. John Baptist, 1855. Rev. Father Byrne, Washington City.

Beloved Friend: Receive as a gift of affection and esteem these beads of pearl strung on golden wire with my own hands for you, and blessed on this your patron Saint's day.

Be kind enough to offer up a little prayer to our Blessed Mother for an object dear to my heart, and be assured that you shall ever share in the unworthy prayers of

Your most affectionate friend, L. Obermeyer, P. P. , [Father Byrne had been assistant to Father Obermeyer at Cumberland. ]

Father Bouquette, the Louisiana missionary and poet, wrote to Dr. McCaffrey Nov. 24th, ' 55, asking for a copy of his discourse on ''Church and State'' and Bending some of his own essays.

In the following extract we have a final allusion to Bp. Dubois" temporal possessions: Oct. 29, '55. "The land in Illinois for which a man offered me four hundred dollars, is the only inheritance except that of his debts which ever came to his heir. ..." Thus Abp. Hughes of Bp. Dubois' estate.

Dr. McCaffrey" s traits are suggested in a letter by .William Miles, Dec. 20, '55: "I am glad to hear of your success. It is the reward of talent and labor assisted by ambition and a never-ending perseverance. . . . "

One of Prof. Lagant' s stories is to the effect that an association was formed to erect the monument at the capital to the Father of his Country. It was called the Washington Monument Association and the Know-Nothings got control of it, but signally failed to advance the work and lost the public confidence. The Pope had in the most noble and friendly manner sent a block of marble from the ancient Temple of Concord in his capital city and forwarded it to Washington as his contribution to the monument. Some person or persons flung it into the Potomac. It bore the inscription, Rome to America. Apropos of the Know-Nothing riots, Abp. Hughes wrote: "What greater compliment could be paid to God's Church than such beastly modes of assault a virtual confession that reason and argument are hopeless weapons against her!''

Special thanks to John Miller for his efforts in scanning the book's contents and converting it into the web page you are now viewing.