The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-21
EARLY DAYS OF MGR. CApEL.
The Speed with Which He Assembled, and
How Rapidly He Came Down.

Writer in Detroit Post and Tribune,
Some years ago l CHANGED to be in ST.
Lenords-on-Sea which is to the south OF
London. | sought and obtained board and
lodging in the paternal home OF Mgr. Capel.
The family then consisted of fve-the
mother, two sons and two daughters. The
father had been a coast guard, the mother
kept dodgers, and was clever woman
though quite illiterate. Joseph Mgr
Capel) had served his time as a pupil teacher
and gained certificate as q
teacher in the Hammersmith training
school. After that he became a Christian
brother and taught in one or more of the
Catholic brother schools of London. At the
time had the honor of his acquaintance he
was an ordained priest, and officiated now
and again in the convent of the Holy Child
Jesus which was in the same street, oppo-
site his mothers house. His manners re-
member were of the persuasive order, bland,
and almost pl;nfully polite. He was, in
deed, very attractive, bal ii | may hazard
the remark he had not the -. ."ot could
conceal art He pursued his career
teacher in the Hammersmith training-school
until his services were dispensed with. Not
much more of him than this was known
until the conversion of the Marquis of Butte.
Then he became the rage of the day. The
Marquis rentroll was about EGO 600 per an
mum, besides a large fortune accumulated
during long minority, SO to speak. Mgr.
Ndpe1 dSCeHueu the CanOnlcal ana social lad
der with incredible swiftness. He travelled
all Europe with the Marquis as companion,
and he returned to London the leading, if
not the most distinguished, ecclesiastic of
that large city. He had a most charming
villa and grounds at Kensington, and it was
the resort of the Duke of Norfolk, Lord How
ard Of Glossop and family, Marchioness of
Lothian, and Talbot family, and indeed all
the leading Catholics of London. He had
a private chapel in his villa
the altar alone of which cost
FL, 900, and was blessed by Plus TX for his
use. He was not attached to any church and
had no congregation, yet he was wealthy and
he cared for his mother and sisters. A few
years ago l read from both Scotch and En-
glish papers that Mgr Capel's villa and
paintings were sold by auction; as we'll as |
can, shall quote what the Daily Telegraph,
of London, said on that occasion: Mgr
CapePs villa and househould furniture were
yesterday brought TO public auction; those
beautiful grounds in which one might see
Mgr. Capel surrounded by lords and ladies in
animated discussion, are now desecrated by
the common herd. Everything suggested
disaster and misfortune. Even his dog that
had kbeen taught to growl so savagely for
Bismarck and wag his tail so briskly for the
POpe,7 was not forgotten, for" said the Tele-
graphi she wandered about deserted and for
saken at the last moment" So ran the said
article A friend stepped in and bought the
altar and sacred vessels.
After that event no more has been heard
of him. One thing was certain; there was no
more conversions through his agency L
may add that these truths can be corrobor-
ated by application to the principal of the
Hammersmith training school. or the Rev.
John Foy, Catholic clergyman, st. Lenords-
on-Sea, England.
1 hardly think / anu too preSumptuous if
l say that his ostensible purpose in coming
here is to make money. If 1 am wrong /
beg his pardon