New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-05-12

~
him Immediately and found him in state Of complsss
apoplexy. He was emit ely insen,ible, he performed
no voluntary motion, and bis respiration soon If e
hrst became stertOrous. His whole face changes
bis features were aered-all influence Of the mind
upon them had ceased. He continued In this state
between two and three bonrs and then expired sur
rounded by those he most loved.
The volume closes with the memoir on the last
sickness of Gen. Washington which has been
already noticed in our columns at the time Of
it's appearance, in connection with Mr.. Eyerett's
life of the father of his country.
MEMOIRS OF THE RIGHT REVEREND SIMON WI
LIAM GABRIEL BRUTE. D. d.. FIRST BISHOP on
YINCENNES By the Rt. Rev. JAsHs RoosEyEL1 BAYLRr,
GO.
The subject Of this interesting biography was DIS
tingushed pioneer of the Roman Catholic Church in
the United States and entitled to an honorable
brance no less by his personal qualities than BY
the historical significance Of bis public career. In pro-
pairing the volume, Bishop Bayley has made use Of q
large number Of manuscript authorities, comprising
notes and "reminiscences and various journals aud
sketches by Bishop Brute, selections from his DOR.
respondenee, which have afforded ample store
of authentic materials.
Bishop Brute as we learn from the present vsiamc,
was native of the ancient province Of Brittany IN
France where be was born in the year l779. He be-
longed to family Of wealth. and of high social poi.
tiOn with the most brilliant worldly prospects opening
on bis early youth The death OF bis father, however.
left the family in state Of great pecunary troubles bio
accounts were found 10 be in almost inexticabe con-
fusion he had permitted worthless persons to run 10
debt to him, TO an enormous amount; and was only
by the singular energy and excellent judgment Cd
bis widow, that the estate finally settled withous
a ruinOus loss. Her remarkable intelligence and
strength Of character, were combined with high
religious prnciple and from her example and instrac-
tions, her son derived the Impressions which gave
such pure and elevated tone TO bis future life.
When Bishop Brute was twelve years old, the Leg;
islatve Assembly passed the most laws agant
all the clergy who refused to take the oath TO the
"Ciy Constitution of the Clergy" most Of them pre-
fered mourning the penalty, rather than to violate
their consciences and hence the public exercise OF
religion and of education was almost completely sus-
pended in France. The college at which young Bru%
was studying was broken up, and he was Obliged 70
resort to private teachers. The excuses Of the Reyo
luton surrounded him with perilsi he has left vivid
record of his experience during the period Of terror;
but amid all the alarms and suherings Of that time he
continued his regular pursuits making rapid progress
temporarily placed in a printing-ofice, to save bin
from being enrolled in q regiment made up Of children
After passing through of medical instruction.
be graduated at Paris with the highest honors IN loO5
and at once received appointment 10 one OF the
Partisan dspensaries but having already decided to
study for the Church. he refused the Office, and socn
aferward entered the seminary Of 81. Sulpice. His
abandonment Of the medical profession was
not occasoned by any feelings Of disgust lie
never Loot his attachment to it rs one Of
the nobest pursuits for talent or philanthropy
Even after the lapse Of twenty or thyyeas, be Was
wont to astonish learned medical men by bis minute
and perfect knowledge Of what he had studied In his
youth under the great masters Of the French capital.
He declined tue practice from sincere religious con-
vicon that Lis services lees needed physician
for he body than ply stefan Of the soul. For ten
years the houses Of religious instruction bad been shut
up. The guilotne had devoured large portion Of tho
clergy; others had been sent to prison and places OF
exile few OF the former clergy sufyiyed and Of lhese
many were occupied in foreign missions. In spite o.
the prevalence Of inddoy, an immense number Of The
French people stll remained faithful TO their religion.
and new supply Of ecelesiaties called for 10 IN
the plGces of those who had persisted.
Under these circumstances, Mr. Brute determinedn
devote himself to the spiritual interests Of his fellow
men. He engaged in bis studies for the sacred work
with enthusiastic zeal theology science in which
he took peculiar delight; his preparation singu
larry profound and thorough; and during bis four yeas
z, ST. Supice, lie made extraordinary progress in the
various branches Of sound learning. Having completed
the usual course and Iassed through the ntermecats
steps, he was ordained priest in 1905 and soon afS
was appointed professor OF theology in the the diocesan
serving Of RENEE. The bishop the time offered
him u canonicate in his cathedral which dignity he
however refused. Although he faithfully devoted him
self TO the discharge of bis new duties, he pepet
uay haunted with the idea Of a missionary lie.
He at length obtained permission from his superior 70
engage in that service in the United States aud he nc
coIdingy sailed for Baltimore in the Summer Of 1910.
For nearly two years after his arrival be retained
professor Of philosophy in the seminary at Baltimore
In 1872, he sent on tie mission at ST. Joseps 90
the eastern shore of Maryland where he have
been tormented with the difficulty Of learning English
II have preached" he says in letter. bad preaching
il may be, in six different places. This must force
this dreadful English into my backward head or lmus
renounce forever 10 know it. On Monday l will be
making English and blunders ON nay Eastern shore
During the same year, he was transferred to MI 81
Marys College, near Emuittsburg where he remained,
with the exception Of one or two year,, until he W"
appointed TO the bishopric of Nincennes. His ad'
mrable disposition, his profound learning, and his
eminent virtues here found congenial sphere.
and his influence stamped upon the institution tae
character which has made it such conspicuous land
mark in the history of the Catholic Church IN the Unit
ed States Though apparently hidden III the mountain
retreat absorbed in his quiet duties as professor and
missionary, his activity felt on every side no oP'
nortnuity for usefulness escaped his reach aud the