St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-06-06

cured beforehand, and in very many
instances were roundly paid for. The
ceremonies themselves were of the most
brilliant and sumptuous character. Sell
dom outside of Rome or Paris has such
an ecclesiastical pageant been witnessed
as here celebrated the dedication of
this magnificent centre and home of
the Roman hierarchy in America. The
participants were Cardinal McCloskey
and most of the American arehbishops,
assisted by innumerable priests and
acolytes; the whole forming process
sion, whose robes and jewels and dec
orations, with the dazzling white mar
BILE and rich stained glass of the interior,
presented to the eye a kaleidoscope
series of gorgeously colored pictures.
Of the ceremonies themselves, 1 can
not of course attempt to give an ac-
count, as description of them occupies
a full page of fine type in the city
papers. They consisted in general of
sprinkling the doors and other portions
of the building with holy water, march
ing and counter-marching by the priest
ly host, the chanting of interminable
prayers, the whole literally interspersed
with music of high order. At night
when the cathedral was lighted up for
its first evening service, a beautiful
effect was produced which an eye-wit-
ness thus describes: mo sooner had
the electric spark lighted up the gas
jets that encircled the foliated capitals
of the massive columns and had darted
from pillar to pillar-shedding flood
of radiance on the wide expanse of nave
and aisle below, bringing the architec-
tural details of the high altar into bold
relief and investing them with an I'M
earthly beauty-then strange sight
presented itself to those who were on
the streets Immediately adjoining the
edifice. There appeared in habiliments
of fire, radiant features and dazzling
splendor, the saints, the martyrs and
the confessOrs of the Catholic church
on the stained and stored windows.
Scenes from Scripture and from the
lives of the saints shone amid the dark
ness of the night, and to lOokers-On was
revealed an epic traced in fire on each
window. Despite the rain that fell with
persistency at the time,
this grand revelation of art attracted
the attention of passers-by and lined
the streets with groups of interested
gazers. Within, the noble proportions
of the structure were etherealized in
the blaze of thousand lights, and the
rich mOuldings ard beautiful tracery
seemed to gain additional charms"
During the week, an auctio sale was
held at the cathedral for the purpose of
realizing as much as possible from the
natural desire among rich parishioners
for choice pews in their chosen place of
worship. First choice was run up to
50, 100, at which figure it was obtained
by Mrs. Navarro, wife of the vice pres
ident of the Metropolitan Elevated road.
Succeeding choices wee sold at con-
stantly dwindling figures until some
$4,000 had been realized in these
bonuses, which, of course, have moth
ing to do with the regular rent of the
pews.
Another somewhat notable event in
this general connection was the meeting
held by the assembled prelates the day
after the grand dedication, to consider,
under the leadership of the Cardinal,
plans for the cancellation of the enorm-
GUS debt of Archbishop Purcell, of Gin
who was on here to attend the
opening of the cathedral. The knotty
question, which has caused so much
public and private discussion since the
insolvency became known,
was handled with the vigOr and bnsi-
ness capacity which is SO singularly
of Catholic administra-
ton generally, and a plan for an Or
ganiZed subscription throughout the |
was matured, which bids fair
to bring about a satisfactory settlement
of the sanity bankrupt's affairs.
Another notable event of this week,
was the celebration on the 2Sth of the |
of Thomas MOore's birthday. |
In the afternoon, colossal bronze bust |
Of the poet was unveiled in Prospect |
Park, with appropriate ceremonies !; |
and in the evening, the Academy of
Music was thrOnged with fine audi |
eGce, whose entertainment consisted in |
of the great minstrel, alternat-
ing with performances by well-known
vocalists of his most celebrated melO-
dies.
Decoration Day was this year OBJ
served in about the usual manner, or
perhaps indeed little more generally
5han common, on account of the eX-
fine weather, which allured |
rom their occupations many people
who, as a rule, pay little attention to
holidays. Flags and excursions, pro-
'essions and speeches, all literally be-
'prinkled with flowers, made up the
,rder of the day.
The Reverend Talmage celebrates his
lcquittal by taking a three months va
;ation in Europe. He sailed on Wednes-
lay last, accompanied by his wife and
and the large portion of the
congregation that went down the bav
n the steamer Grand Republic to see
lim off, kept up an almost continuous
heer for ''the Dominica The elders
If his church, most of his church mem
,ers, Arbuckle bearing his cornet, and
he majority of the Presbyters who re-
emily voted that DR.. Talmage had not
'een guilty of falsehoOd and deceit,
we're in the steamer. They made a
reat time over their eccentric pastor,
Who waved an adieu as long as he could
'e seen, while the band played "Auld
lang Syne," and Arbuckle gave, as a
arting solo, ''Praise God, from whom
IL blessings flow" DIR. Talmage will
oliver a series of lectures in England,
nder the management of Mr.. Pond. of ,
ate Henry Ward Beecher's lecture
gent. He will return home to preach
n the first Sunday of September.
RADIx. I