be interred without much ceremony and display, and had in fact directed that, if he died in the course of any of his pastoral visits, he should be buried in the cemetery of the parish in which he expired. His wishes, however, in this respect it was not deemed proper to carry out. The body was exposed in the chapel for seven days, during the whole of which time masses were said from morning to noon, and the office of the dead was recited from noon until evening by the clergy of the different parishes. The 26th of July was the day of the funeral obsequies. They were celebrated with the utmost magnificence, and with all the tender veneration which the virtues and dignity of the illustrious deceased commanded. The cathedral was richly hung, and in the middle of the nave a superb catafalque was raised, decorated with the arms of his eminence, and with all his insignia and emblems, both as Cardinal and Archbishop. The procession was composed of all the religious corporations and communities of the city, of all the civil, military and judicial authorities, of a large portion of the clergy of the various sections of the diocese, together with the bishops of Perigueax and Rochelle, who had come to pay the last honours to their metropolitan. It passed through the principal quarters of the city, in the midst of the troops of the line and the national guards, who vied with each other in their efforts to render the ceremonial orderly and imposing; and every where along its route, a silent multitude testified, by their mournful aspect, the grief, respect and love with which they were filled. There was one moment especially when all hearts were inexpressibly affected, that at which the procession reached the spot where, four months before, M. de Cheverus had made his solemn entry into Bordeaux, invested with the Roman purple, and saluted with deafening shouts of triumph and delight. The approximation of so much joy and so much grief, of so much glory and the tomb, presented a contrast which no breast could resist. After the usual prayers and ceremonies, the revered remains were deposited in the principal vault of the cathedral. That, however, was only a temporary disposition of them, all minds and hearts having at once united in the project of erecting in the church a monument fit to receive ashes so holy and dear. It is now in progress, and there is every reason to believe that it will be a monument worthy of the diocese of Bordeaux, worthy of the metropolis of Aquitania, worthy, above all, of the eminence and virtues of him who is to repose within it, in the hope of the resurrection. 23 MEMORIALS OF CARDINAL CHEVERUS. MEMORIAL. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Boston, April 22, 1823. To his serene highness the Prince of Croij, Grand Almoner of France, and Bishop of Strasburg. We have taken upon ourselves a painful and a responsible. duty. We rejoice that the exalted merit of Monseigneur L'Eveque Cheverus, is so justly appreciated by your highness, and by his sovereign, and the evidence of his worth is found in the distinguished favour of a nomination to the bishopric of Montauban. That we should interfere in the hope of preventing his translation to the higher scene of social and pious usefulness, demands an entire justification. It is found in this: the Catholics of this place, and of the New England states, are generally a description of persons, who need not only instruction as to their great duties as Christians, but also advice, consolation, encouragement or correction in their temporal concerns. To accomplish objects, so important to them, and so necessary to the good order of society, the most commanding confidence is indispensable in their ecclesiastical rulers. It is impossible for us to make known to you, by any words, how entire, grateful, and beneficent is the dominion of bishop Cheverus over all to whom he ministers in his apostolic authority. We hold him to be a blessing and a treasure in our social community, which we cannot part with, and which, without injustice to any man, we may affirm, if withdrawn from us, can never be replaced. If the removal to the proposed diocess, would be conformable to his wishes, we should mourn over this in silence. If it proceed from your own wishes, and those of his sovereign, to have this truly estimable prelate associated in the immediate church of France, it would not become us, to attempt to oppose those wishes. But if the removal can be referred to the principle of usefulness, we may safely assume that in no place, nor under any circumstances, can bishop Cheverus be situated where his influence, whether spiritual, moral, or social, can be so extensive, as where he now is. In the sincere hope, that this excellent divine, and amiable gentleman, may consistently with the wishes and views of your highness, and of the worthy sovereign of France, remain to ornament and bless our community, We have the honour to be, And the most entire respect, After these communications were sent to France, he appeared relieved from the agitation attending a decision of a point so important to himself and others. He thought the question of his translation at an end; but it was not so. The solicitations were renewed from such high authority, that they came to him in the nature of a summons, which could not be refused; and he commenced the preparations for an early departure. A few days previous to his leaving Boston, his flock presented him the following address. It was a grievous calamity to lose him; but he had taught them to submit to the dispensations of Providence without repining. He left them prosperous, and in the care of men deep in the affections and confidence of every member of the congregation, and highly respected by the whole community. |