Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-19
AMERICAS FIRST PRINCE.
GIIBfPSES OF CARDINALMCIOS-
KEYS HONE LIFE.

servitors Governed by the Rules OF a
Royal Court-The Gorgeous Piles of
Marble Surrounding the Episcopal
Residence-Oneo of Judics COstumes-
Rough on Aimee.
NEW YORK. Oct. l6.-The close OF Car
dinal McCloskey's career centres pubic
attention on the big and ornate piles OF
marble that occupy block in New 1ork's
most fashionable section. The Roman
Catholic cathedral of st. Patrick, the
costliest and finest example OF cnurch
architecture in America, is right across
corner of Fifth avenue from the Wander
bilt mansion, while facing 1t from Madl-
son avenue at the rear is the reproduction
of an Italian palace that Henry Willard
had not completed when his downfall
cane Ynd on all sides are the residences
nj men of extreme wealth and luxury.
on two corners Of tho square on which
the cathedral stands are lesser aud yet big
structures ia corresponding style OF
material and ornate shSpeliness. one OF
these is the official residence OF Arch
bishop COrrigan, and the priests belong
inc 10 his and the Cardinals establish
ments. The other has for a few
wears been exclusive to the only
Prince of the Roman Catholic
church that America has had. With
In this beautiful inclosure Cardinal
McCloskey formed and maintained acourt
that had all the ceremonial, Formally ard
much OF the magn ifcence OF secular
ruler, for il is anunwritten law OF Roman
ism that a Cardinal shall sustain GER
tain degree OF princeliness, and Cardinal
McClOskey. despite his personal SIM
plicitv of character and tastes, felt bound
to obey the usages of his church abroad.
A feature Of the Cardinals palace was
chapel occupying TWO stories OF the Dulld-
ing. The interior had all the appoint
ments OF Catholic worship, except that
there were no peWs for a congregation.
Here masses were performed daily. The
Cardinal went 10 confession once week,
his confessor being Father Preston, the
only priest 10 New York who came from
a family of-wealth and social distinction.
The Cardinal was devotional In the eX-
freme and very punctllious in his obserY-
ances. He also eXacted 10 the utmost
that Difference which was due from his
household 10 his rank lie lived plainly
as 20 eating and drinking, however,
and his likes and desires ran
altogether In the direction OF
literature, art and religion. He never
went out in society, and was never seen
in the streets after he became Cardinal,
and when compelled to 90 anywhere he
rode in q close carriage. In the summer
he lived quite retired in convent belong
ing to a sisterhOOd situated on high, rural
ground just north OF the city proper. Dur
ing the last two years Of his life a physi-
clan visited him every day, and the same
constant, skillful sort Of attendance ex-
tended even to the lowest seryitOr, and
among these the etiquette of royal |
court, such as the use Of the phrase |
''Your Highness" in addressing him, low |
obeisances in entering his presence, and /
awaiting permission by wave Of the /
hand to speak. was sedulOusly enforced. I
In mis- privacy he wore a simple robe Of /
black, and a beretua Of the same color. 1t |
was only on rare occasions of great |
ceremony when be took part in the wOr- /
ship Of the cathedral. His age-enfeebled |
health prevented him from taking any |
active participation in the public rites,
had be been so disposed, but he was an
ideal figure when he did show himself as
the centre Of the brilliant scenes Of
ecclesiastical pomp.
n.