ARRIVAL OF BISHOP RICARDS AT GRAHAMSTOWN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 149, 10 March 1876, Page 8

ARRIVAL OF BISHOP RICARDS AT GRAHAMSTOWN.

(Concluded.) At the entrance gate of St. Aidan's ground, near the porter's lodge, a triumphal arch had been erected, and daring Saturday, Mr. Lindsay Eddie — an old pupil of Bishop Ilicards' — was busily engaged, not withstanding the rain, in decorating it with flowers, evergreens, flags, lanterns, &c, and in placing in position the transparencies for illumination at night. On the left of the archway was a full length portrait of St. Ignatius, and on the right one of St. Aidan. Over the archway, in largo letters, profusely decorated with flowers, birds, trees, and shrubs peculiar to South Africa, the word " Welcome." Above both effigies of these saints, but in separate panels, were Latin inscriptions. Immediately over the archway was a neatly executed shield, on which were emblazoned the South African arms. Considering that the only guide in the painting of this shield was the small coitof arms that appears in the 'Doninion 1 newspaper, above its leading articles, the execution of it is very creditable indeed. Lower down on either side of the archways were other shields, one with jv Cardinal's hat, surrounded by a wreath of thorns, and on the other side one on winch were emblazoned the Papal arms. From the archway to the entrance of St. Aidan's were two rows of poles, painted white and blue alternately, with lines upon which to suspend colored lanterns. Banners, bannerettes, flags, and streamers, of every variety and color, and in great profusion, were displayed from poles around the seminary, giving to it a very gay appearance. Several transparencies were placed in the windows. In that on the right of the front entrance to the building was one representing St. Francis Xa\ier, tho patron saint of missions, preaching the Gospel to the heathen. On the left was another of St. Louis Gozaga, patron of schools. Over the entrance, in the upi er story, in the central window was another transparency, with the letters "1.H.5." surmounted by a crown — the arms of the Society of Jesus — surrounded by a wreath of thorns and passion ilowers. The remainder of the windows in the front elevation were filled with coloured lanterns for illumination at night. In the lower window in tbe eastern gable, was a large transparency representing Bishop Ilicards. His Lordship is attired in full canonicals. In the background is a view of St. Patrick's Cathedral, with the convent buildings among the trees to the left of the pic'ure. In transparencies of this kind no one would expect to find a portrait as true to life as though produced by the photographer's camera ; but the lady who painted this picture of Bishop Buards — a lady, too, we are informed, who has never seen his Lordship, and had to paint, of eour.-e, from a portrait — had n..t faihd in producing a likeness of the good Bishop that could be recognised by all in a mou.ent. In the window above were the words : "' 2s'on nob/s, Dowine, non nobix, sed noinini iuu JDa Gloriam." The whole of the portn.it transparencies were the work of a lady, Mrs. J. M. Orpen. Mrs. dimming painted the elaborate floral transparencies, including that o-ver the arfehwny, with the word " Welcome," and the " I U.S." over the entrance to St. Aidan's. When the lamps suspended between the poles along the avenue from the archway to St. Aldan's, and those i.luminatu.g the archway and the windows and transparencies ia the building, were lighted," the effect was very fine indeed. A torchlight procession started from the Albany Ilall .-it about half-past seven o'clock, and proceeded round Beaufort street. w here tie Bishop and party joined in the procession, down Somerset and High-streets, and thence by way of Hill-street to the Seminary. The torches were not so good as could have been desired, nor was there much attempt at character representation, there being only three or four mummers at the head of the procession, ll.e members of St. Patrick's Soci«ty carried torches and Chinese lanterns. A great crowd thronged the streets, and accompanied the procession to St. Aidau's. The Bish.-p was loudly cheered on flighting. There was no attempt at speechifying, the crowd and the crush being too great. The professors who are to remain permanently at St. Aidan's — Father Bridges, Principal, and Fathers Lee and Law, were left in possession, and the Bishop rejoined the procession and returned to the episcopal mansion. The windows of St. Patrick's Society-room were illuminated, a very tastefully executed transparency being placed in each window facing the street. Arrived at the Bishop's residence, His Lordship was again cheered to the echo, and having briefly thanked his people and the public for their demonstratons of welcome, retired to the privacy of his own home. The recaption accorded to him, and the enthusiasm displayed, could not but be very encouraging and pleasing to His Loidship. Tar barrels and fireworks kept t' c fun up in the streets for an hour or so longer. — ' Eastern Star.'