The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-13
THE POWERLESS PRELiTE
MONSIGNOR CAPEL, A TEXT FOR
PROHIBITIONISTS.
Silenced by the Church Of Which He
Was Once Master Mind He Now
Ekes Living In Poverty.

makes the startling statement that
Mgr. Thomas John Capel is living in
abiect poverty at San Francisco, Ia |
booed by fashionable society and his |
priestly functions taken away from
him by his church. 1t is stated in adj
dition that he is dependent entirely
upon his pen for the necessaries Of
life, and has devoted himself exclu-
sively TO literary work.
In San Francisco he did Just what
he had previously done in New York
borrowed money whenever he could
and from whomever would lend it.
At times, tits said, his condition is
pitiable in the extreme, but his friends
hope he viii see better days. He is
now in receipt of tolerably fair in
come from his pen, and Is able to live
without charity. This state of affairs
has been brought about by one cad
failing which the eminent divine has
in common W tn many other men OF
genius-a . iality for the fluid which
inebriatss as well as cheers.
The car er OF Mgr. Capel has
been particularly brilliant one. He
was one Of the foremost churchmen
in Eng and and exceedingly popular
in Eoglish society, OF which he was a
distinguished ornament. To mag
Efficient presence he added charm
ing tauvity Of manner, which never
failed 10 impress the most causual OBJ
server and give him that magu etc
power over men, which he turned to
the advantage Of his church. The
task OF converting to his faith peope
in high station was the one great
mission OF his life, and he succeeded
to q degree. He WAS social king,
aud was warmly welcomed every
where. He accomplished wonders in
his way, but it was noted with some
concern, even in his early days, that
he was developing taste for the
wine cup. No great harm, however,
came of 1t until the time he estab'
lished the great Catholic public school
at Remington in 1873. lie entered
that enterprise with the greatest en-"
thusiasm, borrowed extensively 10
carry out the reject, and contracted
debts which he WIS never able to pay.
The scho oil dill rot prove a success,
and the matter 30 preyed on his mind,
1t is said, that he part1ok heavily OF
wine. The habit grew upon him, and
fell under the obs, rvation OF Cardinal
Newman. A conference with that
reverend gentleman brought about a
temporary reformation in the mon
slgnor's habits.
About two and half years ago he
arrived in this country, and society
threw open its doors TO him. He was
the social lion OF the hour, and no
company seemed complete without his
presence. He was the great English
Catholic, and no attentions seemed to-
great for him. He had received
special dispensat'on from the Pope,
was free from all religious restraint,
and acknowledged supremacy to no
one save the cardinal. He had a
mission to work out, and he was per-
mitted to accomplish 1t ON his peculiar
lines. His mission here was the IN
version of prominent society people,
and he succeeded almost as we'll as
he did in England. Amongthose who
succumbed to his personal magnetism
and iorcible logic was Col. George
Bliss. The conversion OF the doughty
Colonel was looked upon as some thing
marvellous by those who enjoyed his
friendship, and Mgr. Cspel rose still
higher in the estimation OF his asso-
ciates.
Ever since his arrival in this coun-
try, Mgr. Capel has been almost
continuously the guest of die
tinguished people in different parts of
the country. To tneir eorrow they
had noticed the fact that his potations
became more frequent as time went
on, and finally it attracted the atten-
ton OF the late Cardinal McCloskey.
The cardinal suspended him, and took
away from him his priestiy iuncti ons.
That was about ear ago, aud from
that time forward cloud seemed to
hang over the fortunes OF the dis
tinguished divine. IL lowered and
completely envelopad him when he
appeared in an intoxicated condition
at tia famous dinner of the police
captains at Delmonico's shortly after
After that dinner some of the guests,
..,sil n ..z~ Tia q 49, I