Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-01-24


steal Decrepitude Forms a Pitiful
I Contrast TO the Splendid Honors
Paid Him.
/ New York Telegram.
/ There was a magnificent regal pomp
IN the Roman Catholic Cathedral of
st. Patrick this afternoon Cardinal
McCloskey sat on the throne, with in
cidental pageantry unprecedented on
this side of the globe. The occasion
was the tiftieth anniversary of his en-
trance to the priesthood. That he
will add another year to his service
was not indicated by his appearance,
His physical decrepitude was in pitt
ful contrast with the splendors OF the
ceremonial honors paid to him. The
basis of the doings was a pontiicial
high mass. He was too weak to bear
the fatigue of merely sittingup during
the whole, and it was nearly over be-
fore he could get strength enough to
participate in the remainder BY that
time the great cathedral had been
crowded densely for an hour and q
half. Nearly 500 costumed priests
chciristers had marched in procession
to the altar-end of the edIfice, where
they formed goodly congregation
by themselves. The mass had been
extended and beautified by the music
of two choirs and organs, by the in
donations of four alternating Bishops,
and by the worshipful movements of
many robed assistants; then all noise
ceased, and all motion too, except in
the lay assemblage, where everybody
strained for a better view than his
neighbors of the expected Prince of
the church. Double doors came open
at one side eff the spacious chancel,
and at once the lacking central figure
for the gorgeous spectacle was in
sight. Bearers of lighted candles, a
tall double crucifx, and a shepard's
crook preceded him - At his sides
were Mgrs. Quinn and Preston. the
highest officials of his religious court.
Their robes were purple velvet Near
er than them to the Cardinal was a
necessary temporary supporter,
against whose health and strength
the aged mans decrepitude leaned in
sharp contrast.
THE CARDINAL.
No mimic Richelieu ever yet had
such a stage scene to enter upon, or
was more venerable in his personal
picture of mental strength in physi-
cal wreckage. He leaned heavily, yet
TREMENDOUSLY, on the young mans .arm;
his step had the slow drag of almost
entire exhaustion, and his head hung
forward, so that the red insignia hat
of his Office sat level, though pushed
well back from his brow His Shout
dercape of white fur being high and
full in shape made him look still more
bent than he really was but whatever
impression of enfeebled dignity might
have been given by his manifestations
of weakness was more than counter
balanced by the sweep of his kingly
red robe of velvet, which trailed be
hind him, and the crown-lke hat
which topped him majestically. His
face was in satisfactory keeping with
the royal costuming of the figure. 1t
was bloodless, but not nerveless its
features were as regular and amiable
rs woman's the mouth had manly
firmness that overcame the general
delicacy of facial expression. He bent
for an instant before the altar ON his
way across the platform tothe throne,
which, as Cardinal, he is privileged
to occupy IN the cathedral.
ON THE THRONE.
This was an ornate structure of
carved wood and beaten gold, reach
ing, with its pinnacles, gables, and
images, more than fifty feet towards
the vaulted roof. 1t made a canopy
for massive chair, into which the
old man was gently placed by the at
tendant. He was able to see but dim
ly-for his eyesight was much inn
paired-the people who gazed on him
with eager curiosity, and IN numerous
instances with visible reverence. They
pressed forward into the cha eel in
their attempts to get a closer view;
but most of them were quickly obedi-
ent to the slightest word from the
priestly ushers, and decorum was not
once broken.
The space filled by the Ecclesiasti-
cal Court was about 200 feet wide and
$50 feet long. The arrangement of
the priests had been made with a view
to scenic effect Most of them were
ranged in rows, rising towards the
sides, but with an ample clearing be
tween the spectators and the magni-
ficent altar. The tall mitres on the
heads Of nine Bishops were extremely
picturesque. The variety of colors.
intermingled with the prevailing
white of the draperies, the occasional
costume of a monkish order, aud the
groups of altar and choir boys in
gowns combined to make an imposing
assemblage.
HAPPY WITH HIS HONORS.
The Cardinals head dropped. and
several times he wiped tears away
from his eyes, but his lips parted in
half smile, and it was clear that he
was very happy with his honors.
As the mass proceeded tall candles
were borne hither and thither, censers
were swung to emit their perfumed
smoke all along the lines of clergy