The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-05
Mss LEARY'S aUMVERSIFY. "
HER ITALIAN SCHOOL YET IN A
FORMATIVE STATE,
Hut M Has Great Hopes for Its Future
ITO BE Largely Devoted 10 Religious
Instruction, as Are All Her Charities
1.-The Countess and Her social Aims.

A0A - NO1A VI lAOAO Nag So POH@A~
tion in the neighborhood OF Charlton street
has been mildly excited over the news
that on or about May 1 the italian Uni
vensity and Pope Plus X. Art Institute,
founded by the Countess Anne Leary,"
would open its doors. The title Is taken
from b bronze tablet which decorates the
front Of a two story brick and maneerd
roof building In Charlton street.
The news was first given out In thefSnA-
day schools connected with st. Anthony's
Church in Sullivan street and the Church
Of Our Lady Of Pompeii Ia Bleecker street,
which two parishes include about 5000
Of the half million Italians In New, York. 8
At the same time an invitation was given
to boys and girls overstt years OF age, 70
Join any OF the art or industrial Glasses
connected with the institute. Little or
nothing was said about the aoAdemlo or
scientific course. This, it seems, VIII nothe
considered before the autumn.
The tablet wa put up more b . year
ago. Since then curious persons stopping
to read the inscription have marvelled
at the u~ntenanted appearance Of the prem.
Uses, and residents Of the neighborhood
have continued to inquire when the place
would be opened The headquarters Of
the institute include the house bearing
the tablet and . similar house next door
but one 70 II, where the art olasses VIII be
held. Both houses have been for many
months In the hands Of WofkInen on whose
shoulders was laid most OF the blame for
the delay In opening the university.
Ask any Italian in that quarter what
the university stands for and he can't
answer further than to state with pride
that IL IL only for Italians. Others better
informed explain that Its object is to give
free instruction to the talented Italian
immigrant anxious to get q higher duo
ton and to develop the artistic Instincts Of
his q o Eventually some enthusiasts be-
lieve 'The italian University will rank
with other universities Of the land. At
present only one floor in the building,
consisting Of two large rooms, is available
for classrooms. The first floor lie taken up
with a chapel which il to be blessed by
tina Archbishop, and an adjoining recep-
ton room. This is always spoken Of a
Miss Leary's floor. The top floor 10 used
for servants quarters.
Eventually the intervening house will
probably be added TO the university equip
ment and 1t Ia not unlikely that a day a
substantial building may stand on the site
Of the three small houses.
It IL believed that from the start the Art
Institute, which, by the way will be re-
qhristened the Columbia Art Institute. viii
not lack enthusiastic pupils for the reason
that Il will include also classes in various
industries not exactly related TO art. The
Art Institute will have evening Glasses for
boys, afternoon Glasses for girls.
The Italian University is q development
Of the work begun eighteen years ago by
Miss Leary In behalf Of the Italian immi-
grants OF the lower West Side. At that
time she started q mission for small children
in Sullivan street. q mission which che still
conducts and finances In q basement OF
the Bleecker street Italian church. Here
Italian missionary sisters Of the Sacred
Heart under Miss Leary'S supervision teach
their young charges singing. sewing. the
catechism and prepare them for their
first communion. In celebration Of that
event they get a fine breakfast and q present
q prayer book, rosary beads and q sacred
picture. At Christmas there is o tree and
Miss Leary distributes hundreds Of gifts
among the pupils and their mothers.
But from q kindergarten TO q university
is q big jump. 1t is not unnatural, there
fore. that some curiosity has been expressed
as to the personality of q woman who is
willing to finance q university for the benefit
Of an alien people.
As most New Workers know. Miss Leary
In a devoted Roman Catholic and few women
have attracted 90 much attention In church
circles. This Ii due not only to the enor-
nous outlay OF money represented by her
benevolences, but TO her personal ardor in
propagating the Catholic faith. In the
many charitable ENTERPRISES started and
maintained by Miss Ieary, in every enter
prise. in fact, in which she has q controlling
vote. the religious feature invariably is put
first.
Her title Of Countess came from the
Vatican about three yearsago, accompanied
by an autograph letter from the Pope.
Miss Leary's religious ardor has never
interfered with her liking for society.
Something like a quarter of q century
ago Miss Leary and her two brothers were
among the pioneers who did much to pro-
mote the social life Of Newport. Miss
Leafy's afternoon musicales became ia
mora or less excellence were sure TO be
heard at them. There were fewer palaces
In Newport in those days, and the social
pace was less rapid, 30 that afternoon re-
captions with had o more honorable
place In the entertainment schedule than
they now have.
Newport grew fast, big houses multiplied,
new people with big fortunes kept on COM
ing, the social entertainments grew bigger
and more numerous and more extrava- |
CANT, and afternoon receptions were with
few exceptions dropped from the social
schedule. One OF the exceptions vas Miss
days at homo in town and out OF
Miss Learyis Tuesdays stn continue
10 attract many |
After Arthur Leary'e death there were
that Miss Leary would With
draw from society. Nothing Of the kind
happened. During her period Of mourn
abe gave her almost undivided attention
10 the erection Of a handsome Catholic |
chapel as q memorial to her brother In the
Of Bellevue Hospital. This chapel
she maintains at her own expense. An the
garments made by Misc Leary's Ienten
GLASS 20 to Bellevue Hospital for
the benefit Of poor patients. |
Emerging from her period Of mourning
Miss Leary resumed her social activities
In New York and In Newport on a larger
scale than before, at the same time planning
more busily han ever charitable projects
for the advancement Of her religion. Many
Of her old friends OF downtown long ago
moved 70 the region east Of Central Park,
Miss Ieary continued faithful 10 lower
D. IA 1900 N..-lI go. - |