The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-16
Hueffer,s Vivid Account

Hueffer's Vivid Account T have read many brilliant accounts of the investiture of the American cardi- nals, but the most vivid that has been written is, perhaps, that by Ford Madox Hueffer, which appears in the Christmas Collier's,' said layman. 'Hueffer is a well known English man of letters-novel- ist, essayist and critic. He is free lance writer. and has given us some highly spiced impressions of the pre-Raphaelite brotherhood. Anyone who has read his last book, Memories and Impressions the story of artistic and literary London a generation ago-can form a good idea of his literary style, which I would call nervous in good sense and singularly epigrammatc. His account of the crea- tion of princes of the church is an eX- ceptionally choice specimen of his work. Hueffer is himself, member of the Catholic church. His sketch was sent from Rome to Golfers by the Marconi Transatlantic Wireless telegraph. What lends particular charm to Hueffer's de- scription is the fine stimulus to the imagi nation and color he produces in few words. This is the way his account starts:
 The entrance of the American col lege here is under high, grim arch. You see old stones, worn steps, and-beyond- light and a green garden in a quadrangle. It might be Oxford, and I cannot imag inc any place better calculated to induce in a student that deep devotion mingled with a mellow and assured knowledge, which is what we Catholics look for in our priests. And usually this is the quietest spot in the world. You may see sometimes a few young fellows in long black gowns that are the symbols of their removal from the material side of life going in under the arch in black companies of twos and threes. Pleasant fellows they are-different, think, from most of our European priests in that they show nothing of mental strain. They look you frankly in the face, and speak with just enough American accent to make them seem lively, alert and shrewd, and as far as is consistent with the dis cipline of the army of the church. free. Yes. lovable young fellows! They pass under the high arch, kneel down, say a short prayer, and disappear in the lit tie corridor to the left. Then all is quiet under the arch, and little fountains play That is Hueffers introduction or setting for his striking picture. For it was in this American college that two arch bishops from the United States and the apostolic delegate were staying, awaiting the time for them to appear before the holy father in the consistory. Saturday there was little quiet in the closters,' continued Hueffer. There were many people, much color, and the rustic of feet. The sun shone on the spray of foun- tans, and at the ends of the arcades was the glow of oranges palely pointing the green of the winter trees and the palms. And over us all the feeling of excitement, of reverence, and of cere- monial.'
 "Hueffer's pen sketches of the Pope and of the new cardinals are character isticly vivid. Of the holy father when he begins to speak Hueffer says: It is strange, strong voice with a deep chest sound. It is at once nobly courte- ous, paternal, encouraging and exhort- ing. He hardly moves except to turn sheet of his manuscript but the voice sounds on. Little golden shadows play over the white dress and over the dark, strong, simple face. And then, 1 having done with his courteous speeches of welcome, he begins to exhort these men and us all to keep faith in the name of the Savior. It is easy to see that then the holy father Is moved. He has little gestures, quaint move ments of hand-the movements not of | an orator or of a preacher, but those of a kindly earnest parent. Then l under stood something that I had never un- derstood before. For this man there speaking seemed to me no more to be q sovereign pontiff, no more to be high or distant or upon a bright golden throne from which there played golden shadows No. He was the kind and dear head of my family-of my own family. l was listening. I had never | felt so at home. Yes, that was it. It was my home. We are a great family, we Catholics, and l was in the private room of the head of us all, and I had the right to the blessing of the good and kindly head of our family who will surely not refuse it to them that be of good will
 "'Then the holy father went away through the little door to the left of the throne, and we all found our ways out through the rambling village that