The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-08-24
Catholic University of America
BY HON. S. N. HAWKINS.


Observation-Disclosures ssSssSssSssSss
visited the Catholic University of
America some time ago and was re-
ceived very courteously by the rector,
Rt. Rev. Mgr. Conaty, and was shown
all through the principal buildings
and halls of that immense institution.
The Mcmahon hall and Caldwell
hall are massive buildings, and ap-
pear to be we'll arranged for the
purposes for which they were
erected. One of the young priests
showed me all the principal rooms
and then told me that l was at liber.
ty to go from room to room at my
leisure, and make such notes and OBJ
servations as l desired. availed my
self of his kind offer and proceeded
through corridors, halls, lecture rooms,
libraries, reception rooms, studios, and,
in short, through every place of note
throughout the buildings.
The first object to attract attention
as you enter Mcmahon hall is an ele-
giant and large statue Of Pope Leo XIII
carved from the purest white marble.
There he is seated in a large cushion
ed chair with flowing robes and his
| hand outspread as if in the act Of
blessing all mankind.
Around the rotunGa may be seen,
here and there, elegant paintings OF
the most noted cathedrals of the
world, and on the second floor the cor
ridors and doors are inscribed with the
names Of the different departments of
learning and the lecture halls and H.
brary rooms are designated in like
manner.
Here you find a hall devoted to the
study of English, there one for Greek,
over yonder one for Latin, and in other
rooms the different Oriental languages.
Then you find rooms in all directions
for the study of the various branches
of learning-Botany, Chemistry, and
Philosophy, and in short all the sci
ences that go to make up full and
complete university course.
Then, too, you may see the various
apparatus and appliances and speci
mems and the students busily engaged
in making their experiments. Upon the
walls Of the several corridors may be
seen the pictures Of all the noted men
of learning of every age and country,
and in the lecture rooms may be seen
maps and charts to aid the student in
his researches, and close by each lec-
ture room is library we'll filled with
all the books that are necessary upon
the subject.
Caldwell hall is named in honor of a
Miss Caldwell who donated $500 900
for the purpose Of erecting the insti-
tuition, and in the reception room you
may see full life-sized oil painting of
that beautiful lady. Other paintings
are there of Eugene Kelly, the rich
banker of New York, of O'Connor Of
California, and several other philan-
thropists who donated large sums to
the university.
| Upon the wall may be seen beau
tiful marble tablet inscribed with the
names Of the different chairs of learn
ing that have been endowed by
wealthy Catholics, and upon another
you may see the names of the persons
and societies that have contributed
large amounts as prizes to the stu
dents.
| Perhaps the most noticeable and i'm
pressive sight in Caldwell hall is the
Chapel, the beauty and solemn gran
deur of which surpasses all descrip.
ton.
The Chapel itself is not very large
one, yet. am told, that 1t alone cost
$4,000.
There are six large windows on
each side and five large windows in
the sanctuary. Each window forms
of itself subject for great study and
reflection; stained glass in which is
inwrought the finest and most solemn
and the most beautiful paintings that
man is capable of making, represent
ing the highest and Hottest aspira-
lions of holy and pious thoughts.
There are six small chapels like al.