Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-19
NO.. 1ls.
BISHOP CHEvERUS.

uiiuSo 10 VIC 1SOLudA SdtuOuC CudpclS Iy-
ing on hilltop, in grove. in sight of
the 'Ten Mile Pond" which in Europe
would be called lake, where the upper
settlement and mills are situated. A de-
scent of about sixty feet, and within thir-
ty rods, unites the outlet Of this pond with
the river. This is splendid site for fac
tories. Its vicinity to the sea on the one
hand, and fine agricultural market on
the other, with an ever-hewing and never
failing supply of water, have often caused
me to wonder that it has not long since
been occupied by men of capital. Salmon
trout, from eight to twelve pounds in
weight. once abounded in this pond; but
pickerel were introduced, and they have
nearly destroyed the trout under modern
reform.
Two merchants, Kavanagh and Cotterill,
between thirty and forty years ago, dwelt
on this river, distinguished for their enter
prise and hospitality. The first occupied
the spacious, elegant mansisn, which
looms up among the trees on the mar
gin of the pond. The other lived by
the bridge two miles below. They came
here poor. acquired wealth, built the chapel
on the hill, which was founded by Bishop
Cheverus, and were looked up to by the
country round. In their death the
Catholics in this region lost friends Of
much influence. The son of Mr.. Kav-
anagh, Edward, was educated at Montreal
College, and has been pupil of Bishop
Cheverus. He was one of the best Latin
scholars ever met with, and was familiar
with French, Spanish, and the musical
Italian. He was a perfect gentleman, and
most interesting companion, His mind
was richly embellished with knowledge
and though we'll acquainted with the world
he valued but little the freezing forms, the
hustle and the tame fashions of city life.
His ioy was in the home of affection, and
amidst the picturesque scenery around his
fathers house. He had been member of
Congress, Charge d'Affairs to Portugal,
aud officiated in 1913 as acting Governor
of Maine.
When | pass by st. Patarick's Chapel,
which looks down from the lonely hilltop
on this village, and gaze at the cross in
the adjacent churcli-yard, it seems, in the
beautiful language OF Macaulay, in his es-
say on Milton, as though ''all the burial
places of the memory give up their dead!"
1t was here that Bishop Cheverus, while he
had charge of the Cathedral of the Holy
Cross in Boston, made an annual visit, and
with his sweet voice revived and comfort
ed the little flock, which dwelt among the
mountains.
On one such visit first became ac-
quanted with this holy man. He was
small in stature, of spare habit, with fea-
lures superscribed by deep thought, with
the air of one humble before God, and yet
dignifed in the sight of men, and with
smile of peculiar fascination. His voice
was soft and gentle, his manners affable,
and his disposition open and ever ready
to impart to others the rich treasures OF
knowledge. He was plain in his attire.
abstemious and self-denying in his man.
ner of living, and in the orbit Of duty
moved like some retired luminary in the
heavens, without noise or parade. He
spent much time every year among the In
dian tribes of Maine, and like his Great
Master, he delighted to 60 about doing
good. Never was man more beloved by
all classes of christians in this city. He
was almost adored by the people under his
pastoral care, many of whom were poor
emigrants, little blessed with the advan-
tages of early discipline and education;
and the Shamrock of Erin seemed to wear
an immortal green, when he taught them
that the only true freedom was an eman-
cipation from the bondage of sin.
Bishop Cheverus was disciplinarian in
his mental habits. shall never forget his
conversation on the Classics. when he de-
scribed the severe routine of his studies at
the College of Louis lie Grand in Paris. So
perfect were his attainments in the Latin,
that he informed me he could more easily
sustain thesis in that, than in his native
language. Indeed there was in all his ac-
quisitions, that thoroughness, which the
great educationist, Horace Mann, so forci-
bly, enjoined as the duty of instructors. |
was but q youth at that time, but l could
nave listened to the conversation of such
a man, with the avidity of miser.
have often heard Bishop Cheverus be-
fore the glory of this world shaded his
honest brow, with its cardinal honors, and
while his presence literally filled the Cathe-
dral with an overflowing flock, He was,
in the true sense of the word, most elo-
quent man. He spoke like one of those
Apostles who had been present not mere
y by faith, but in reality, at the crucifix-
ion of the Redeemer. The Cross was for
ever before him. lie felt what he said.
and made others feel. His voice at the
altar was clear and musical. He delt in
no harsh thunderbolts. He shone in the
sunshine of his own love, and often be-
dewed the hearts of others by the tears of
his own tenderness. heard him when
he delivered his eulogy on his predecess-
or, the good and venerated Able Matig-
non. There was an immense crowd pres
ent, but it was still as Nature at an eclipse
of the SUM- lie spoke Of the virtues OF
this excellent man-of their deep friend
ship-of his own now loneliness in land
far from homeland of the diocese, in
which they had mutually strengthened
and comforted each other in their arduous
charge. Many an eye was dim, many
deep sob broke upon the listening silence,
as he pictured his own sorrows at the loss.
There are times when it is manly to weep,
and the tribute OF many tears was the
richest offering his eloquence could wit
ness,
Indeed he was a man who had no supe.
rior in sacred oratory, and but few equals.
Had he lived but a few years longer, be.
Vond doubt the biohest human honor