Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-18
CARDINAL GIBBONS.
His Uno.tcntntjoUs NnnDcr-find In
the Hnbiliments of u Priest.

A Rome letter Of the date of May 3lst
to the Baltimore sun says: Shortly after
midday group Of distinguished
strangers gathered together at the railroad
station of Rome. Several ecclesiastics
were here among them being Rev. DR..
Farrelly, secretary Of the rector OF the
American College; Mgr Straniero. canon
of the cathedral church Of Rome ST. John
Lateran. and formerly ablegate 10 the
United States; Rev. Father Meyer ;. j.,
one Of the counge,lors Of the general or
his order. and two fathers OF the congre-
CATION Of ST Sulnice, in Rome. Among
the laity were Advocate Pietro Paceili.
one of the municipal councillors Of the
city: Count IMuccioN, noble guard OF
Leo Kill. who accompanied MGR. Stra-
niesO to America when this prelate was
bearer of the cardinalitial beretta to the
Cardinal Archbishop OF Baltimore; Count
NJ. Harry Cassen, private chamberlain
to Leo MIL; MIR. J.. J.. Comedian, OF
Boston, and SignOr Salvatore Cortese
They had come to meet Cardinal Gibbons
Sharp to the time. 1870. the train slowed
into the station, and the Cardinal de-
scended from the waSonlit in which he
travelled He was accompanied by the
Right Rev. John Foley. Bishop Of De
troi, and by two priests acting as secre-
taries Mgr O'Connell, the rector Of the
American College. left Rome on the pre-
vious day to meet the Cardinal at
Florence. AMI return with him here. The
group Of eccle ,iast.cs and laymen already
mentioned now pressed forward to vel
come in the most cordial manner the
eminent Cardinal and his travelling COM
panions The greeting WAS equally Kind
on the part of the Archbishop of Bait
more. and as he was already acquainted
with nearly all who had come here to meet
him, the good-naturei recognition Of each
was expressed in his eyes.
The simplicity and love of retirement
which distinguish Cardinal Gibbons were
made evident to-day. He came into Rome
in the simple hahiliments of a priest.
such as one meets with every day en-
gagged in their round of duty or mercy
in the streets Of an American city. The
pomp and dignity that in former days
surrounded the entrance OF a prince Of
the Church into the Eternal City and
now dispensed with and 1t was ony the
tiny crimson silk skull-cap. revealed when
the Cardinal lifted his hat. that made
evident TO the watchers at the station
the high ecclesiastical rank Of the newly
arrived.
Such simplicity reminded one of the en-
trance of the late Cardinal Newman into
Rome several years ago when he came
10 receive the red hat The present
writer was present then also at the sta
ton, one of about half a dozen eccle-
siastlcs and laymen, among whom the
present Duke of Norfolk was the most
prominent parsonage. 1t was the after
noon Of April a. 1879. that Dr. Newman
arrived. and this is how he appeared: An
what. gentle, resigned look in his eyes,
as though his thoughts We're far away
from his immediate surroundings. lie
wore black oyercOat, Il tall hat with a
broad brim, We'll back on his head, md
he carried in his hand "A small, brown.
well-worn leather portmanteau. And this
was the man whose name and fame were
known and admired wherever the English
language was spken.
1t was in an almost similar guise that
Cardinal Gibbons presented himself before
the eyes of those awaiting his coming
this morning. IL Is quite true that the
look in tie kindly gray eyes was not that
Of dreaminess or absorption. but a look
that took i'm all aspects of persons and
things around him-the look of one who
~ alive to all that is good in the world
about him. and symDath.zes with every
human effort toward light and goodness.
There was a look Of fatigue IN his face,
but that was natural after his journey
in day in which the air is warm and
heayy-a day quite unlike the bright days
of May, such as one looks for here in
Italy. so celebrated for its beauty.
The elegant carriage In which the Car
dinal. the Bisnop of Detroit, and Mgr.
O'Connel proceeded to the American Coll
leee was sent to the station for this pur-
pose by Mrs. MacTavish. of Baltimore.
A number OF the others also followed the
Cardinal to the college, where brief and
informal reception was held.
In the course of conversation with the
present writer the Cardinal expressed the
kindly reception and treatment given him
on board the Touraine. on which he sailed
from New York TO Havre. and dwelt upon
the excellent voyage across. In Paris he
stayed three days in the great house OF
the Sulpicians. religious congregation
lie in the highest esteem In the United
States on account of the admirable &c
cleslastical training they give students
| for the priesthood entrusted to them.
Here he was received with great honor.
AT Dion. the ancient capital OF Bur
sundy, the birthplace OF the greatest OF
| modern church orators. Bossuet Bishop
OF Meaux, the Cardinal rested for one
! day. He was delighted with the respect
, ful welcome bestowed upon him here.
1 Indeed, throughout his journey through
| France. he has been treated with the
greatest consideration. He mentioned In a
particular manner the reception bestowed
| uyon him by the American Ambassador
to France. Mr.. Eustis. similar honor
| had been designed by Mr.. Wayne Mac
| yeagh, the United states Ambassador to
| Rome, but delicate health. and especially
| at the present trying season, Obliged Mr.
! Mac Veagh to leave Rome for time
The Cardinal begins his receptions to-
morrow mbrning and IL Is certain that he
! viii be kept busy during his stay here.