The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-28

golden lgnt fell, and for a moment As
each richly garoed pre,ate made els exit
the sunbeams ginled on EildeJ COPE ana mitre
with dazzling effect. Slowly descending the steps
and a. slowly moving over the street, walking
two BIZ two, the procession assembled the stairway
and entered the Cathedral. Acogres led the way,
and they were followed ~ priests, in hight, breezy
surplices Of white camorlc over black soutanes.
The gorgeous yestnents Of the bishops and arch
bishops, worn by men for the most part
OF unusual bulk and stature, made pa
geant or uncommon picturesqueness. The
lofty nodding mitres. the richly decorated
robes ana the dignity OF carriage each
prelate held gave to the scene a grandeur that
Impressed itself on the minds OF the beholders.
The thousands grouped at either END Of the long
block on which the ednce stands and the many
who filled intermediate points OF vantage gazed
with looks OF the most intense interest on this
most uncommon spectacle in the American me-
tropolis. Nothing like it had ever been seen be-
fore but it was spectacle OF briefest possible
duration. II lasted but few minutes, and the
short but superb panorama ended when the
line OF golden color passed from the street and dis
APPEARED within the sacred edihce.
SCENE IN THE STREETS.
The houses IN front and rear OF the Cathedral
were thronged with sightseers. The windows
were crowded to their utmost capacity ana the
ragged roofs OF the many old tumhledown con-
Germs which abound IN tine neignbornood were
laid under contribution by adventurous men and
boys. The Presentation Convent, at the corner OF
Prince and Mott streets which usually keeps its
exterior darkeneo to the world by close Venetian
blinds, threw open a dozen windows in front and
three ut the Mott street side. where
bright crimson curtains, EDGED with lace.
were suspended aud looped up. All around
the square ON which the Cathedral stands the
windows OF the innumerable tenement houses
were lung open and the roofs were black with
people.
THE CATHEDRAL
stands in the very midst OF q district given over to
poverty and sin. II stands where Christ Himself
would have placed 1t, for He came on earth not so
much to save the just as 10 call sinners to repent
ance. These crowds OF eager people on the street
corners on Mulberry ana Blocker; on Mulberry
and Prince, on Mott and Prince, the housetops
and in the windows OF the dismal tenement dwell
ings are mostly the poor and lowly.
THE NOBLE GUARD.
Count Mareioschi, who wound up the procession,
came directly after the pale Cardinal, from
whose shoulders hung short mantle or purple
velvet, was the great sight OF all. The helmet OF
the Count, suggestive OF the Roman helmet OF the
days OF Cesar the bright red tunic, the white
doeskin pantaloons and tall black boots, was sim
gular sight to American eyes, but the Count was
great curiosity.
THE STREET CARS
that pass from the east TO the vest side OF town
along the tnoroughfare or Prince street were per-
mitted to break the lines so jealousy guarded by
the police Pedestrians were prohibited from
crossing on this route from Broadway to the
Bowery but as each car broke through the human
embellishments O number OF thoughtless youths
managed to swing OIL 10 the rear platform, and
4ha hat hatx md
conductor furnished an endless fund OF amuse-
ment 20 the many idle spectators.
POPULAR EXPERIENCES.
There was old man pushing his way vlgor-
ousy through the crowd His nat was shattered
and MS clothes were torn. but there was strong
sense OF purpose in his eyes. He wanted to burst
through the line OF people that blocked up Prince
street and Mulberry and go straight into the
cathedral. lie was an American citizen though OF
Irish descent and he believed all those police reg
ulations were so many relics OF an efrete despor-
ism. Rudey enough the convenient policeman
shot the earnest old patriarch back into
the midst of the crowd as he strove
TO pass the barrier, go and take a walk around
the block" ADVISED a heartless observer on the
was to make the best OF circum stances, quickly
responded, an 20 n you go WITH me-" Eyes. If
round the corner" And in this way ME patient
crowds amused themselves The police had the
the most concern, aud OF all things on earth, ex-
cept mau running after MS nat on WINDY nay.
policeman CHASING small boy Is the most ride
ulous.
spectators occupied the corner OF Mott and Prince
streets tne women predomlnated, az they al
ways do where religious ceremonies are In Que s.
tion. Perhaps nity polcenen were ranged In line
around this corner. The curiosity 81 the multiu
was excessive, out BETRAYED seIf IN no effort to
break :nrougn or evade tue ponce regulations
now THE LADIES PARED.
beautiful ladies'. TWO oil wBom were FRENCH come
10 the crow lei barrier III ae corner OF Prince ana
Mott; ana IN their utter simplicity they sought
10 pass through and enter the Cathedral They
had no tickets, nor did they seem 70 .tnlk that
any were necessary TO eUter "A Catholic church
shat, as rule, always throws It's gates wide oDen
TO tue ricn and poor, hiEh and lowly,
alike. For hours anu hours they lin-
gered ABOUT the neignoorhood, fonay
hoping some f0rtuitous circumstances might give
rious ceremony being enacted within; but there
were lnexorao.e police ana equally inexo ,s,o
seats Tor the countless applicants.
The CARDINAL
Near the end OF tue procession was the Cardinal,
with purple cape thrown lightly over his
THE ITALIAN DELEGATION.
In the early morning a large gang OF Italian
laborers was engaged sweeping the dirty streets
that surround tue Cathedral. they seemed 10 feel
their work mad 4 double signlncance and that
Mother Church was served az one ana the same
time as Lne street Cleaning Department. They
cid their LABOR VEIL and never before did these
old streets present SO clean and attractive an
appearance.
THE CONGREGATION DISPENSING.
When the proceedings at tile church were over
mighty stream OF people poured out uDOn all the
adjacent streets. The tendency was 70 Broadway,
and surely never before IN the broad light OF day
dld that thorOughlare witness such multitude OF
women bearing prayer books-iashiOnaDle women,
too, ana through this medium OF fashion,
able women the Catholic Church was bear
tGg the torch or its apostolic mission.
All the streets around the Cathedral were KeOt
scrupu.ously iree OF pedestrians ana tue many
gallant equipages that drove mp to olsemDark
their freight Of aides 0f c.ergYmen had plenty
Of room 10 manGuvre. Hack carriages were lew.
Private carriages were tue rule, ana some oil them
were oil The most complete equipment.
sCHOSLBOY5 BRIGHT AND HOPEFUL
Near the Cathedral rs an institution called the
st. Patrlck's scnOOl for Boys. In the windows OF
this building as many boys as could possibly stow
themselves we're seen stretching their little heads
la q painfully peTtous way over the brown stone
stils Many OF their numDer we're taken out to
form the procession OF acolytes that led the pro-
90. q NJ. . L.L4.r !. n. IL