The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-19
PERE HYAcINTHE.


Cisy-His Appearance and General Deport-
memt-The Monk, LIE Perc, the Revolution
tst--The Religious ssLI0n,s Opens His NIind's
Eye to the Herald Reporter.
Perc Hyacinthe, has arrived. At length the great
revolutionary ecclesiastic has touched these shores
not with the cheek OF religious braggadoco,
Lutheran determination or Calvinistic enthusiasm-
with no intention Of inauguratng open-air
meetings in view OF a charitable collection
for the poor OF France, nor with the idea
OF forwarding the interests or any would-be
Assemblyman during the coming election.
Indeed, the reverend gentleman for appears to be
Influenced by no such common place motives-and
motives OF the kind must be regarded as mercenary
also-be the same more or less. Pere Hyacnthe has
not yet studied the politics New York, and, there
fore, cannot consistently be presumed to have
arrived solely for the purpose OF forwarding the
interests OF the classic and powerful wgw am.
Under all the circumstances, therefore, 1t
may reasonably be supposed that tho Pere,
unwilling to follow the path OF other
arrivals is opposed TO politics In the
commercial sense in which the word Is generally
employed. The Pere may inaugurate new doctrines,
launch forth his religious javelin at the Catholic
capital, worry his ecclesiastical brethren, nap his
sacred wings, expanded, doubtless, by new invig-
Grating atmosphere, and lift nigh the finger OF
righteousness when advocating some novel form OF
faith; but the reverend gentleman Is evidently not
disposed to mix in politics. although his arrival ut
this particular time might indicate to many unscru
puous persons the idea OF an immediate connection
with the Tammany chief. 1t is clearly evident,
then, that the reverend gentleman has come to this
scene Of turmoil not for personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT,
but merely for the purpose Of repose, Just as ono
sometimes desires to be seated on the Peak OF Tene-
rife, there. with chin on elbow, to ponder on the
things that were, and still watching the dry pebble
on the shore wait until 1t becomes wet ana covered
with the sea. Micawber waited till something did
turn up Pere Hyacnthe Is not unlike Micawoer III
his antcipations.
AS early as six O'Clock yesterday morning the
steamer Perelre arrived az tins port from Havre and
Brest, having GA board the now celebrated French
priest-the reverend gentleman above alluded to-
whose stubborn opposition 10 the Ecumenical Coun.
Gil has made him TO be regarded as the Lutheran
sensation Of the nineteenth century. His arrival
eagerly anticipated by thoroughly equipped regi.
ment OF Bohemians, who prowled near the dock at
which the good steamer was to take up her quar-
tiers. The bright, brilliant sun had no charms for
them; the calm rep0se which prevailed las TO them
perfectly stupid, and, although the surrounding
featqres Of the scene were perfectly harmonious the
gallant Bohemlans were i'll ut ease. Besides the re-
cognized squad OF touters was fair representation
Of the metropolitan press. All were on the Qut ripe
for the famous priest Never had monk 80 many
lustrOus deep meaning eyes, the dark brown habit,
Rirdle, beads and sandals were pefecty delightful
TO contemplate. 1t would not have surprised some
II the reverend gentleman had addressed the men
who vigorously rolled the merchandise and warned
them to beware OF their evil doines Though mar
starting and tongues tipped with expectant inquiries
Pere Hyacinthe disappeared-not by any submarine
passage spirtuaistlc influence, for the reverend
gentleman quietly took o carriage and went to his
hotel, just as any other sensible man might be ex-
SO newspaperdom was in perfect dilemma-it
came, but 1t neither saw nor conquered, and the
Pere was wished many hearty blessings. II was no
use though; the Pere had arrived. and 80 it must be
chr0nicled.
It was evident from the first that the reverend gen.
tleman did not desire not0riciy, the fact being SUBJ
sequenty demonstrated by persistent rcfusals on his
part to see host OF newspaper men who waited 10
.Interview' him. Father Hyacnthe quilted the
Perere about O'Clock and took up his quarters at
the Fifth Avenue Hotel and being very much atgued,
retired Immediately TO his room. He had PROBABLY
when cards tumble IN thick ana last upon i, him.
out he was reluctantly obliged TO decline ali recep.
lions, adding, however with tnat polteness charac
terlstc OF his country, that he would be delighted
porter was on hand. In he went, after previous
invitation, and was courteously requested to seat
ne could command. Pere Hyacinthe was delighted
to see him. had heard Of this great journal IN Paris
his arrival was eagerly looked forward 10. .'A'
"He did, the reverend gentleman went on to
state, che did not expect anything Of the kind he
was humble man. nor did he aspire to religious
fame. True he had made noise abroad, but"-
the reverend gentleman shrugged his portly
meanwhile the writer cast a reportorial glance Of
clnthe is what is generally known as ine looking
man." or course 1t Is very dubious phrase,
but the Pere s not far from forty years
medium height, high forehead, aquiIine
nose, angular Drows and black, deep set, but pecu-
great intellectual capacity, while his nrm set mouth
and extremely thin lips az once proclaim his tiger
IKE tenacity to principle ana strenuous determna-
u Ia a a head nd
globe; hair cropped closely and your first impres-
sion OF the reverend gentleman is that he knows
in attire that would remind you OF any religious
hero that anybody ever heard Of He was dressed
as any gentleman who had Just made handsome
.cornefn in certain locality famous for Its cor
dial reception OF greenhorns. Altogether the Pere
appeared TO the writer as clever man, well read,
polished and polite. The reverend gentleman spoke
nothing but French, and, being equal to the emer.
gency, the writer shrugged his shoulders and was at
home. Paris and It's scientific attractions were
slightly alluded to-all In praise OF course. "Napn
was spoken Of IN pumping sort OF MANNER but the
Pere was not TO be caught even after most persist
ent endeavOr.
But what to theatrical managers Of the present
'efrect' was YET to come. We had discussed general
topics at length, and the writer for the information
By the way, how about That Ecumenicai Council,
Candidly the most polite cross examination failed
Pere was fatigued after his trip but at presenter
course nothing was obtained. In day or 10 he
would be happy to communicate h,s opinions In the
matter-in day or 3d. but the fatigue vOus COM
prenez, was much to be endured. The beautiful
ferrety eyes travelled from side to SIDE and the SEN
satl0n experienced by the cross-examlner was not
by any means comfortable He spoke but little
mas U0uS sdrez Ia rdts0n, said he, for he was
weary.
About TO depart and leave the Pere to sweet re-
pose, knowing well that extra favors had been
allowed the present interpreter, the invitation TO
'call agaln''-the reverend gentleman must have
been posted In France-was most heartily extended.
Rising from MS seat Pere HyacInthe said he had
come TO America 10 learn, for continued he there is
more to be learned In the United States than IN oil
the countries OF Europe On that account the Pere
thinks that most OF his time will be spent In travel
ling. by way OF parting compliment the writer
hoped the reverend gentleman would not fail to
countrymen.
The Pere smiled for the first time, by the way and
said that It was not Improbable that he would write
work upon the subject lie would not have much
time for observation, however. as he intended re-
turning TO France at the end OF December, though
hone the writer nadc n last onEar4 70 fath he