The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-01-30
CAPE GmARDEAu, Mo-, Jan. IL, 1870.


CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo-, Jan. IL, 1870.
Editors Morning Star and Catholic Messenger
Seeing that your paper, the MORNING STAR
AND CATHOLIC MESSENGER, Is essentially an
organ of Catholic communication and south
ern sentiment, allow me, through the meulum
of this widely circulated paper, to make known
a few items, which, I douEe mot, VIII interest
many of your Southern subscribers THESE
items will make known q few Of the very pea
SAINT pastimes of the students IN ST. Nlpeenbs
College, which, when known, viii eassc many
asthrob of delight TO heave IN the hearts OF
many Southern families for a/gocdly number
of our students hail from your charming sunny
cline. ,
The above college is situated on the west
bank of the Mississippi, fronting $50 feet to-
wards the river, its briclS-work being taste
fully marked off by-crystal pointing. Beautl-
fully laid out walks Lead You from the nam
gate TO the extremity of the college front. A
= rich sward of some 800 feet, falling in gentle
slope, invite you to the brink of the ever-rip-
- ping, ever-mprmuEing course OF the Father
of Waters Magnificent and widely branching
trees deck the lawn, which in summer time
hail the painting student to their refreshin G
shade. The general fairgrounds, behind the
college, are spacious and well frinSed with
rows of beautiful trees, offering the same vel
come to their soothing shade The cfHss=roo1ns
are large and commOdious being well heated
in winter time and well ventilated in summer
time The study hall, for its extent and COM
fort, may vie with any in the land, each stu
dent being furnished with his private desk and
comfortable armchair. The dormitories are
truly worthy of notice, both on account OF
their yastness and the Jealous propriety reign.
ing there, as we'll as the fine coup Spil we ex;
avenues of beds, glowing in their coYeriets OF
snowy whiteness. The chapel is but small, far
too small indeed for present need {there being
an increase of thirty in the number of boys
this year), but it is extremely neat and taste
fully adorned. The refectory is very spacious,
though simple in it's architecture; but we
know there is one cherished feeling which
reigns supreme among the boys, and which
binds them together in one common accord
that is abundance of healthy and cheering pas
times.
- Our winter has been unusually mild up to
the present; let not our Southern friends
imagine that it is all-pinching frost, scathing
blast and drenching rains with US at the Cape
So far have had but little frost, and, what
is still worse, less skating. But for that, shall
say that our hearts have been sad and for
lornf That no sun ever bursts-upon us, bear
ing upon its rays the sweet smiles of onr dear,
our sunny South. Shall we say that our Christ
mas time has passed unhallowed, unnoticed
and unknewn-that all was sul1en dryness,
heightened visage, wrinkled brow and pendant
lip Ask our college boys, and they will re-
spond in unison with me: No such thing"
Tables writhed under the weight of highly
seasoned viands and pastry most varied nor
did the sparkling wine fall short, for at inter
walls the BOTTLES stood filled to the neck, await
ing the signal for toast from college friend to
college friend, not forgetting to pledge bum
per to those and dear to them, though
absent and unseen. Christmas week was truly
O time of jovialty, mirth and gaiety.
Though the material man was Well cared for,
the.intellectual man was not left UNDECIDED.
Thests dramatic society" which is truly an
tanned us most pleasingly during four nights,
each me1Sber showing dinseff perfectly mas
ter of the solemnly sublime grave fantastic.
The dresses and stage scenery (work of the
members of the dramatic club) reflects the
highest credit on them as young gentlemen of
the most refined taste, and of talents of a very
high order AS to the acting, each character
was given in q true life-iil1e representation;
tone of voice under the most effective control ;
physiognomy wildly displaying every shade
OF passfoffi ard gestures the most natural to
the ideas to be conveyed. In word, the act
ing of many of the Young gentlsnen could
nobly contrast with the actingo some whose
names have been chronicled by high-sounding
fame!
The superb brass band of the college, under
the leadership of that most efficient professor
of music, Nh. +, Blanchez, of Donaldsonville,
La, opened the evening TTorrcdfuESs BY dis
coursing, in a mastery manner some of their
very fine pieces, compositions by the same pro-
fessor. Being somewhat of IL musician myself,
Lean vouch for the execution of the pieces.
Precision the most perfect harmony the most
complete finish the most artistic, cresceuCfos.
etc. were the motto of the performance. When
we consider the short time these young gentle
men have given themselves up to this charm
ing study of instrumental music, and the great
efficiency tIey-dsplaY in each and every piece,
toe mach cannot he said In faxor of their truly
devGtcJt tafeutgJt fgarfgr; spares neither
time, care nor zeal to bring his noble brass
band (of which he may be truly proutil NJ the
highest state OF, peTtecJlOn. L nave, visited
many colleges have heard their respective
bands, bat, in truth can l say, know not if
have as yet found II college band that can sur
pass this band of ST. Vinccnts College for finish
and execution of pieces pf3teett before HEM.
The monotony of ihterludes bet Heeu the
scenes WAS chaFmngly done away wifh by the
very sweet and choice selections performed by
several victims, flute ptaUo, etc. Juse dis
played in no less Il. gree than the br isS band,
their efficiency Oh their pectivc inst runents.
The violins were fingered by ynntiiS of from
ten I'd fourteen years Of age. Their instru-
ments seemed t. lie part of themselves, SO
delicately and so !aeiing!, did their ijttlc fin
gers stray along The chords, AS ii IN quest of
strains of life. They seemed tn seek a soul in
every chord, and hail it on to blend It's sweet
murmurings to the illusions of their own little
hearts. The flute sent forth its notes of mel
low inuTmur, that moved the heart not fash
toned of stone. The piano was touched with n
mastery hand its movements, at one time
rapid like the hurrying torrent stream, then