The Irish standard., 1888-11-24
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
OF America at Washington, Z
G., Now in Course Of
Erection.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURE,
And the Purposes for Which it is
Being Built-The Magnificent
Surroundings, Etc.

O0AlS 0U1l0 AuO uACsSsAIANOAv
Surroundings, Etc.
American civic pride, says.a CORES
pondent in late issue Of the Boston
Pilot, touches its high water mark in
Washington, and with good reason: for
it is not only already the loveliest city
in the land. but, il the verdict Of wide
ly-traveled and far-seeing people counts
for anything, bids fair soon to be the
loyeliest in any land. Washingtonians
rejoice at every addition to its attract
iveness; and since last May no "Wash-
ington Illustrated" is complete which
does not include view OF the Ameri-
can Catholic University.
Driving out from Washington to the
University grounds, one has a fine view
of Howard University, and passes the
Prospect Hill, st. Mary's, and Glen
wood cemeteries.
The Washington country road Of gen.
erous breadth, AS all the Washington
roads are, divides tho University
grounds from the magnificent demesne
of the Soldiers Home. Sixty 6ye acres
are inclosed for the site Of the Univer-
sity; and one enters it, suggestively
enough, by the Bunker Hill road.
We found 100 men-masoIs, stone
cutters. carpenters-at work OH the
Divinity Building, which was up III its
fourth story, and the chapel, which was
ready tor the roof. The building is to
be Of stone, 266 feet front, with depth
CT lG9 feet in the wings. The chapel is
parallel with the wings, running back
80 feet from the main building. 1t is
90x42, and will have a seating capacity
of $50. This chapel, be it remen bered,
will be for the exclusive use Of the di-
vinity students. The whole structure,
already SO far advanced that one can
form a correct idea OF its general ap-
pesrance, gives one the impression Of
strength, spaciousness and durability,
rather than of architectural grandeur.
Fresh from the reading Of Bishop
Keane's "Chat About the Catholic Uni
yersity," in the current Catholic World,
we recalled his words: The building
which we are getting up,' says the
Bishop, 'while suitable in style and
proportions for the purposes OF Unl-
verslty> will be characterized by the
simplicity and modesty becoming the
divinity studies to Which it is to be de-
voted, and will cost only part Of Miss
C&ldwell's gift. We have meyer forgot
ten, as one of our critics rather snap
pishly accused ,us of doing, that it is
not buildings but men that make a uni
yersity, and the funds which We are
now collecting are meant almost exclu-
sive]y for the men, for the endowment
OF the professorships, and afterwards
for the scholarships and fellowships."
But mo1e inspiring than the remen.
brance Of the printed page, the recol-
lection of a recent conversation with
Bishop Keane himself, In which, with
a few nervous, vivid words, he brought
the completed University before your
correspondents eyes. Here, where the
noble vision is in part bodied forth, it
is easy to Eli out the picture. The Di-
vinlty Building stands on a slight ele-
vation fronting the main road. Round
about it's chapel will be grouped houses
of the various religious orders who may
send members to study in the Univer-
slty. and who will wish to retain for
them at the same time the privacy OF
the religious life and the chance to live
according to their respective rules.
To the left Of the Divinity Building
will stand the Lu1ldiDgs for the other
faculties of the University and the Uni
versity church. Work on these will be
begun directly after the Divinity Build
Ing is completed, and the contract calls,
for it's completion by October s, 1889.
The library will occupy separate
building, and will be located so as to
be equally accessible to the students Of
the various faculties. Up and down,
over the fine grounds Of the University,
will be scattered, as at Harvard, the
residences of the professors and Of the
stuC ents who prefer to reside at the
University.
Firs, cedars and poplars diversity the
grounds, and care has been taken in
clearing the way for the buildings to
spare goodly number Of these noble
trees. The architect Of the University
is Mr.. e. F. Baldwin, of Baltimore.
Your correspondent had talk with
the CAPABLE and courteous superint end
ent Of the building, Mr.. Edward Brady,
Of Baltimore. This gentleman lis a
famous church and school builder; st.
Martin ''ssand ST. Leo chupches and ST.
i. Ilndust I, \ rial schoo Baltimore,