CARDINAL GIBBONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 2, 9 May 1890, Page 15

CARDINAL GIBBONS.

A. PE-W weeks ago the representative of a New York daily paper called on His Eminence Cardinal Gioboue. After gaining access to the archiepiscopal residence in Baltimore, witaout much trouble, the reporter describes the meeting with His Eminence in the following manner :—: — c

The Cardinal camp into the parluur with a quick step. His footfall is clear and distinct, and there is something about its sound which reveals the length of the stride. He entered the parlour with an loquisitive smile on bis face, his head slightly inclined to one side, and his eyes turned upon his visitor with a searching attention, which was full of kindness, but still seemed to make a demand for the stranger's identity. You would take him at first glance for a man of 40. He is of medium height and slight figure, and wore the purple archiepiecupal cape and caßsock, whicti is piped all along the edges with red, and is trimmed in front with small red buttons ; a red scarf encircled his waist and hung at the left side. The beretta shone through an opening at the neck, under the white Roman collar. On the back of his head was the red zucclwtto. His thin, brown hair, brushed from the left side, fell in a placid wave across his forehead, and was pushed back from his ears. His face, long and thin, has an ashen delicacy of hue. J

Cardinal Gibbons is not merely a learned man but a tireless worker. Sixteen hours every day are given to the duties of his office Only eight hours are devoted to sleep, rest, and recreation. At exactly 10 o'clock each night— not a minute sooner and not a minute later— the Cardinal gets into his bed, and promptly at six o'clock in the morning he is on bis feet preparing for the heavy tasks of the day. At seven o'clock every rooming he celebrates Mass in ordinary priestly robes at the Blessed Virgin's altar, to the left of the main B .™ r '' D the Cathedral. It is a public Mass and is well attended At 7 60 the Mass is over and the Cardinal returns to his residence ™ f l £ e Cathedral. At eight o'clock the breakfast bell rings' and the Cardinal and the four priests who live in the same house sit down to their meal, which is always plain. A coloured boy waits on the table and all receive the same attention and aie served alike lhe Cardinal is the lightest eater in the house, and finishes his meal long before the others. He is ascetic, and believes in mortifying the

flesh. After breakfast the Cardinal and his private secretary, Father Donohue go over the extensive mail-received three times daily. Cardinal Gibbons i& very careful in hfs letter- writing, but gives all correspondents due attention. At 10 o'clock he recites his Office— the piayers said by priests a certain number of timea each day and which are the same for priests, bishops, archbishops, cardinals and the Pope.

Wnen the weather is fine he reads his breviary while walking up and down the brick paved path between the Cathedral and his residence. Ofien, too, he reads theological works while walking in this pi ice. He is fond of reading in thia way, and frequently walks up and down his library with an open book in his hand, studying it. At 10.30 o'clock the doors of his house are open to visitors *irst come bishops and priests of the archdiocese, next heads of aocieti s connected with the Church, and then members of his congregation. The poorest of his flock are as welcome as the nchest At 12 o clock in each day in Lent he and the priests have dinner together.

At 3 o'clock visitors are again received. Strangers in the city who wish to see the Cardinal and converse with him come at this hour and find no difficulty in obtaining an audience. At 4 o'clock the Cardinal again recites his Office and about 5 o^ clock is ready for his daily walk. Everybody in Baltimore knows Cardinal Gibbons' habit of taking an extended walk every evening He usually goes alone and always in a new direction if possible, cowards the city limits. He dresses plainly in black. In summer be wears a Prince Albert coat, which hangs rather loosely from his shoulders ; this weather he wears a black overcoat. The red beretta is the only insignia of his high office that is perceptible; it shows beneath bis Roman collar like a red cravat. His tall silk bat is a notable feature of his attire. Under this hat is the zucchetto— the red skull-cap which the Cardinal must wear at all times— but it is concealed from view. A black cane is carried, not for any help the pedestrian expects to get from it but for company. With eyes fixed ahead and directed towards the horizon His Eminence goes through the Btreets at a rapid gait, and never on any of these tramps walks less than twelve miles. He has a long stride, though not long-limbed, and is reg&rded as the fastest walker in Baltimore. After supper the Cardinal retires to his study and at 10 is in bed. On Sunday he is usually very busy. He preaches every Sunday during Lent m the Cathedral ; at other times he has appointments at certain churches to administer Confirmation when he also must preach and assist in the afternoon at vespers. Sometimes he goes to Washington on Sunday. He assists atHigh Mass on all important occasionsin the Cathedral. His throne is to the left of the main altar and faces the congregation obliquely. It is under a canopy with red hangings, and occupies a dais raised one step above the chairs of the Cardinal's attendants. Back of the throne, pictured in gilt on the wall, is the symbol of his divine office— the Cardinal's hat with its tassels, crossed eroziers, and a middle design with a scroll btaring the inscription, '• Amnicc Mariue.