cause you cannot possess, this hour, the trifle that you have fixed your heart upon? Think on this folly, think on this ingratitude, and repress that fretful and unwomanly temper, and determine • to subdue it; and to-morrow you shall arise from this bed in health and peace." And the Bishop left me to reflection; and in the morning I arose in health, and, I hope, improved in virtue. His preaching is very impressive; and his voice, language, and manner, are all excellent. I could occasionally detect a dash of the soft dialect of his country in his flexible and varied tones. His action is subdued by good taste, and is wholly subservient to the dignity of his subject. Of course, his discourses are extempore.

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To me the daily intercourse of a Priest was in itself a novelty, and I examined into his character, and analyzed its component parts, with the intense curiosity of a child struck at the sight of a flower he has never seen before. It was charming to observe his dress and habits; his violet robe, and garments of delicate lace, his mystic signet ring of contrite amethyst, his chain and crucifix of gold. His manners so gentle, but so distant, so courteous, yet so reserved, seemed to me unusual and quite peculiar. His conversation is delightful, and he is singularly well informed on many subjects unconnected with his profession. The pictures of the Bishop have been chiefly painted since he became a man of battle," and convey an impression of anxious, and somewhat stern deportment. There is one, however, of earlier date, by Neagle, in the house of the Jesuits of St. Joseph's, in Philadelphia, where he long resided. The youthful Priest is painted in his robe of white and stole of silver; THE SACRED BOOK lies open before him; the complexion is fair and ruddy; the forehead thoughtful; the lip severe; the hair in profusion, light and curling; the countenance is benign, full of sweetness, and possessing that elevated and unearthy expression which is so frequent among the Superior Priesthood of the Catholic Church; the picture reminded me of the beloved Evangelist, whose name he bears. But changed is this face of youth and hope since he was torn from the peaceful labours of the cloister, and compelled to run the gauntlet through the ranks of prejudiced and angry politicians. It is now a face of care, of age, and sometimes of suffering. The Bishop somewhat stoops, but not from age, for he has not yet numbered fifty winters; nor from infirmity, for his make is muscular, though not of large proportions; but study, prayer, and

* I have understood that he has the peculiar and inherent love of fine linen, which often distinguishes men of exalted character.

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other priestly duties have laid their impress on his frame; and he yields not to the requirements made upon his time for needful repose, or ease; Sleep, nature's soft nurse," is oftentimes by him unsought; his frugal meal is consumed in haste, like the Passover; the heat of summer, and the cold of winter are both by him alike unheeded; if the infant require baptism; the young instruction; the betrothed their marriage; the pious their communion; if the guilty desire to unburden his conscience, the penitent to be absolved from his sin, or the dying to be consoled with the last affecting sacrament of his religion; for all and each of these, this Catholic Priest is ready and willing to devote each hour, to surrender all personal comfort, to risk his health or safety, and even to die in the fulfilment of his duty. And this is the universal spirit of the admirable Clergy, of which he is the Prototype.

Each interview which I had with this singular and exalted personage, was in itself an event, marked with new features; and I never ceased to feel his superiority; he was ever one above me; and I constantly recognised the influence which he is acknowledged to exercise over the minds of others. I have never known any man who possessed this inexplicable and mysterious element of power in so eminent a degree, and who used it so habitually and so unconsciously. None ever regarded him with indifference; by some he is hated; by some feared; and by many loved; but his name is never pronounced unattended by some striking and expressive epithet. I approach him with reverence and with diffidence, for separated from him by my Country, my Religion, and my sex, the usual intimacies of society never seemed in accordance with his station. Serene, apart, and passionless,—and high, and pure, and holy, I cannot mingle him with things material. Familiarity intrudes not into his presence; and worldly objects become divested of their importance, and sink into insignificance. Deeply conscious of the divinity of his mission, he clothes Religion with majesty and beauty; never have I discerned even a momentary weakness in his nature; never heard an unguarded word escape his lips; never, for an instant, beheld his reason unseated from her throne. An habitual elevation of mind and sentiment prevails in his discourse and correspondence; and in all that concerns himself, may be remarked, the most refined and sensitive delicacy; he shrinks with innate disgust from even the involuntary thought of a dereliction from the most scrupulous morality. The untrodden snow, fresh from the clouds of Heaven, is not more pure than is his conscience, nor more spotless than

the record of his life; and if human feeling, with unbidden presence, does sometimes penetrate the recesses of his bosom, it there is separated from earthly and corrupting influences, and becomes a heavenly sentiment.

Among the few ordinary attributes of character which belong to him, are a certain love of adventure and admiration of the picturesque. He enjoys the Ocean and its dangers; to him they are delight; "As rises the tempest, so does my spirit."—" Niagara by moonlight, and the surrounding landscape crisped with hoary frost."—"I love my beautiful, tormented birthplace with fond, and pitying, and undying memory.' "Sweet to me were my years of study on the Mountain." Lady, I would fain have been your companion on the Mississippi, and on the Great Lakes, and on the St. Lawrence; and, had I time, I should delight to trace the footsteps of Cartier, Marquette, La Salle, and Hennepin; to kneel before I die upon the soil hallowed by the labours, the success, the lives and martyrdom of the Jesuit Fathers, the chartered Nuncios of the Cross; to look upon De Soto's grave;t-each spot of earth washed by these Lakes and Streams, is classic ground to the Catholic."

In May, 1846, the triennial Convention of the Catholic Church was held in Baltimore. The Bishop of New York at this time received an official communication from Washington to the effect that the Government required his presence on "affairs of State." As soon as he could be released from the arduous duties of the Convention, he obeyed the summons. On his arrival in the Metropolis, he was immediately introduced by the Secretary of State to the President, who received him with the highest distinction, and at once carried him to the Cabinet Council then assembled. The Mission to Mexico was offered to his acceptance. It is said that the wisdom and penetration of Buchanan suggested this statesmanlike step; and that he discerned all the advantages that would accrue by appointing a Catholic Prelate of such distinction and influence, as Ambassador to Mexico. The Mexicans added to their other apprehensions of the consequences of a war with the Americans, that of a desecration of their temples for the purpose of carrying away the precious vessels and ornaments belonging to the Altars. The presence of a high Dig

* Mount St. Mary's, Emmetsburg.

† De Soto sleeps beneath the Mississippi; he who had been the discoverer of the "Father of Waters" found a befitting burial-place within his bosom. No soil of earth would have concealed his death so faithfully, nor guarded his memory so fondly, so sacredly, as the grateful river.

nitary of their National Church, would have allayed this dread, sufficient of itself to rouse the indignation of a Catholic people. The Bishop unites with his Christian calling, all the distinguished properties necessary to meet an important crisis; he can be as great a Statesman as he is a Priest. And there is no doubt that had this Mission been carried into effect, it would, under his auspices, have resulted in the pacific adjustment of all subjects of irritation between the belligerent Nations.

The Bishop of New York is thus the first Catholic Dignitary who has ever been called to the Councils of the United States.* This incident derives peculiar interest, from the historical reminiscences which it awakens, of ecclesiastical Ambassadors employed between the different courts of Europe; and at this mo ment, when men and nations seek to tarnish and vilify the name of Priest, the bold and unusual step taken by Mr. Buchanan exhibits his moral courage, and his manly confidence in the most honourable light. The Mission would have been as successful

as it was august.

I saw the distinguished Prelate the morning after his return from Washington; he was gratified by the confidence reposed in his talents and patriotism, and touched by the conduct of Buchanan; but no desire existed in his mind to go to Mexico; to have left his Diocese would have been painful and inconvenient; and he sought no personal consideration from the Mission. "As a citizen of the United States I am bound to serve my country with all the energies that I possess; and as a Christian Bishop I am bound to be the Messenger of Peace; but I have no favours to ask from any, and I have important objects to fulfil at home."

Politically, as well as morally, he strongly condemned the Mexican War, and to me he has repeatedly, from first to last,

* The excellent and amiable Dr. Carroll, the first Archbishop of Baltimore, accompanied Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Mr. Chase, and Mr. Carroll of Carrollton, on a Mission to Canada; but not in an official capacity.

It is a curious feature in the history of the Mexican war, that the Roman Catholic Volunteers deserted from the United States' army. The Administration requested the Bishop of New York to send down Chaplains. He at once complied, and in two or three days the Rev. Mr. M'Elroy, of the Jesuits' College at Georgetown, was on his way to Mexico. This excellent personage is sixty-eight years of age, but ready for service, and was accompanied by a brother priest of less advanced years. The venerable Mrs. Madison, whose name is heard throughout the United States with affection and respect, had for many years been acquainted with Mr. M'Elroy. She gave him letters of introduction to General Taylor, of whom she is a relative, and the Catholic Chaplains were received by him with every mark of respect. Since their arrival in the camp no more deserters have been reported.

The Bishop was also applied to for Chaplains for the Navy-he replied

prophesied its expense, duration, and perplexities. "Their irregular warfare," said he, " will harass the Americans, and Mexico, in all human probability, never will be conquered. The Mexicans have Spanish blood in their veins." So far as politics are admitted into his thoughts, the Bishop is a Conservative, and inclined to the principles of Mr. Clay; they are the appropriate principles of his order. Owing, I suspect, to his twelve years' residence in Philadelphia, he is attached to Protection.

On the question of Slavery, the Bishop takes neutral, or rather Scriptural, ground; he looks upon it as a subject entirely removed from the jurisdiction and interference of the Clergy of all denominations.

On the 14th July, the Doctor and I were present at the opening of the College of St. John's, at Fordham, about ten miles from New York. This Institution is indebted to the Bishop alone for its existence; he purchased the land and buildings, and improved them; he had for three or four years sedulously attended to its progress, but becoming at length too deeply engaged in the other duties of his Diocese, he invited over a Society of Jesuits, chiefly from Bardstown, in Kentucky; and it was on this occasion that he confided his charge into their practised hands. The Bishop, in resigning his trust, announced that he had obtained a Charter of Incorporation for the College, from the State Government. "This Charter," added he, "was signed unanimously by the Legislature of New York. Let no man henceforward assert that the Americans have refused to the Catholics, the equal privileges of citizens.-Let no man say they do not love them.” The scene of the College and grounds is very beautiful, an opening in the midst of fine forest trees; a running stream is near; the buildings are handsome and capacious; the exterior of the Chapel is in excellent taste, and there are some fine painted glass windows. The Ecclesiastical Seminary is very complete, being divided into separate apartments; and already there is a good library. The Bishop is occupied in the formation of a Picture Gallery at this College, which will, I believe, be the first attempt ever made of the kind in America. We penetrated into the Retreat, or private apartment of this excellent person, to which, in obedience with the observances of his Church, he retires at stated periods to perform private acts of devotion, to commune with his own heart, and with Him who seeth in secret. The sole orna

that "at present the appointment would be a sinecure; but that whenever the Navy should be called into action, the Chaplains should be ready."