The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-17
MONsEIGNEUR CAPEL.
Something About a Distinguished Church.
man Who win Shortly visit Us.

man Who Will Shortly Visit Us.
Paris Special to New York Herald.
Mgr Capel, known to the readers of Dis
raeli as the Mgr. Catesby of "Lothair," and
to fashionable England even better known as
the brilliant preacher who drew all London
to the PRO" Cathedral, will shortly visit
America. He has often intended to make q
trip to the United States, where he has many
friends in Philadelphia and elsewhere, but
various circumstances, notably some long
standing ecclesiastical litigation, which COM
PEELED him to take up his residence in Italy
for nearly year, has hitherto prevented him
from carrying out his purpose.
Mgr Capels objects in undertaking this
journey are of various kinds. AS he himself
explained to me in an interview, he has al
ways had a great wish to see the United
States; but he has greater wish to see them
quietly and unostentatiously, as any distin-
guished private gentleman or prelate might
see them.
He is 10 mere booksh recluse, as I need
hardly tell you, but modern of the mod
erns, taking the liveliest interest in the com
pick questions which agitate his own time,
and keenly alive to the dangers which threat
en- churches as we'll as nations which remain
stationary and refuse to make use of the
modern means supplied for working out
eternal purposes.
AL though devoted Catholic and English
man. he has always taken an unpTe JUDGED
view of the Irish difficulty, and prides him
self upon being at the same time honestly
submissive to the behests of the Holy Father,
and yet enlightened enough to perceive that
home rule, in some shape or other, though
not exactly in the shape preferred by any of
the Irish leaders at the present moment, is
10 nf Of
English sovereignty in Ireland; but he has
no intention to NEEDLE in pure or impure
politics during his stay in the United States.
At various points of his journey-at Phila-
delphia certainly, and in Chicago probably,
also in New York Boston and Washington
he will deliver lectures on matters con-
nected with Catholicism in its bearings on
morality, art and education generally. But
of political questions, as political questions,
he will do his best TO steer perfectly clear,
for it would hard be possible to touch on
them publicly, even in passing, without
raising a host of enemies and compromising
the Catholic Church.
Being DESTROYS to see America from every
point of view, Mgr. Capel thinks of spending
a few days or weeks in Newport, Saratoga
and representative watering places of the
United States, at which, to quote the words
of your future guest, Il suppose shall find
q most varied gathering of Americans from
all parts of America" 81 am particularly
anxious to see Boston" says Mgr. Capel,
land some of the great workaday centers OF
America-Pittsburg, Chicago, Cincinnati, or
all three" 1t is, therefore, more than prob
able that if time allows the ex-rector of the
Catholic University at Kensngton, the elo-
quent orator and, above all. clever convert
er, will visit two at least Of those new world
wonders.
Il wish" sand Mgr. Capel, ito study the
educational system of America as thoroughly
as | can; and, lastly, l am curious-nay,
anxous-to understand what influence the
American climate and institutions have upon
Irish character"
In conclusion, a few words about Mgr.
Capel himself. He is singularly handsome,
healthy, courtly man. l did not ask him his
age but he appears to be forty, or there
abouts though he may be a trihe older His
manner is engaging, even fascinating fact
which may have had not little to do with
his popularity in English society.
Two of his most striking pecularties are
his passionate love of dogs and his horror of
amateur diplomacy. On either subject he
can be remarkably eloquent, as you will no
doubt soon find out for yourselves. He
speaks with purity, chooses his words nicely,
and yet remains always natural III private
intercourse.
No man can be more dignifed or more
simple but I can readily imagine him any
thing but amiable to importunate people, and
unless intervewers have very definite objects
in calling upon him. they would, perhaps, do
wisely in letting Mgr Capel alone.