Year: 1879

gates of Camden-hOuse and thence
across the common to the little chapel.
The building is without ornamentation,
and it is situated in the midst of tall
trees, beeches, and Towering laburnums.
Within, the walls are plain, only re-
lieved by the stations of the cross in
colored terra Gotta. The gorgeous
Paschal Ornamentations have been re-
satin curtains offered by
the Empress, the carpet woven by ladies
of France. A few flowers decorated the
walls, and there were roses and peOnies
among the tapers on the altar, where
the chalice OF the gold monstrance was
the only ornament. Above it the light
came through a rose window, in which
the Virgin in painted glass supported
her child on her knees. A perpetual
lamp was suspended from the roof.
The swinging censer made the air faint
and heavy. Within the sanctuary stood
a chair draped in black. 1t was one OF



Empress, and their son. Another chair
in the mortuary chapel at the side
whele, in the great marble sarcOphagus
presented by Queen Victoria, the body
of the third Napoleon reposes, was also
draped in black. There were no other
sable hangings. Indeed, the altar fur
niture was white and gold, for yester-
day was the festival of the Sacred
Heart. To-day at eleven o'clock the
black mass will be celebrated, and will
be attended by all the household of the
Empress. MonsignOr Goddard said the
first mass, and afterwards proceeded to
Camden-hOuse, where temporary al
tar had been erected in the Rrince's
room. A prie-diea was placed just be-
fore the altar for the ex-Empress, and
she was surrounded by her immediate
attendants. The MOnsignor returned
to the church for the mass of the day
at eleven o'clock. At the end of the
mass he came into the sanctuary and
went at once into the pulpit. He an
nounced that the mass for the repose
of the soul of the Prince Imperial would
be said to-day at eleven, and, after
reading this and other notices, he said
il few words to his flock, evidently un-
premeditated, and spoken from the
heart with much emotion. The par
ishioners, on their part, were deeply
affected. 1t would be easily under
stood, the Monsignor said, that his
whole duty that morning consisted in
asking them to pray earnestly for the
Prince and for the Empress-fOr the
dead son and for the childless mother.
In his anxiety about the Prince, know
ing the dangers to which he would
necessarily be exposed by circumstances
and by his own daring, he himself
wrote to his Imperial Highness, and
reminded him that it was the season of
the year in which every Catholic APP
preached the altar and performed his
sacred religious duties. He added that
he was afraid lest in the hurry of
preparation for his departure this
should have escaped his memory. In
replying the Prince wrote these words
in French


81 thank you, Monsieur lie Cure, for
the letter you have been kind enough
to write to me. 1t proves once again
the love you bear me; ; but am anxious
that You should not believe that the
hurry of my departure or the care OF
it's details should make me forget my
duties as a Christian. l will present
myself tomorrow morning at eight
O'tlock to receive for the last time the
holy communion in the church of
Chislehurst, where | desire to be placed
when die"


AS yet no news has reached Chisle-
hurst with reference either to the en-
balment or forwarding of the Princes
body. All that is known is that it will
be preserved at once, and without de-
lay forwarded to England but when
this ceremony will take place is not at
present stated. 1t has been stated that
when he left England for the war, the
possibility of his death was not left
altogether out of cOnsideration--it was
well understood that he was bent on
no pleasure trip, and that the chances
of war might bring him to an early



grave-and the body servant whom he
took with him carried to South Africa
the materials for embalming his body
in case of any untOward event. Be
that as it may, the remains are to be
conserved and forwarded to Chislehurst,
there to receive at least temporary in
terment. ........


Ridn Gof UoI