RECEPTION OF THE MOST REV. DR. VAUGHAN, COADJUTOR OF IRELAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 38, 17 January 1874, Page 10

RECEPTION OF THE MOST REV. DR. VAUGHAN, COADJUTOR OF IRELAND.

Twice only have we had in Australia an opportuniny of giving a welcome to an Archbishop, once to the venerable prelate who is still our Archbishop, and again to his chosen Coadjutor, who comes to sustain the authority of his high office and share with him the almost awful weight of its duties. For Catholics at least these events mark important epoel ■ in the history of this country. Dr Vaughan's reception was a gnnid one, and took indeed as he rightly interpreted it, the character of a great demonstration of Catholic loyalty. It was certainly not so magnificent as that given to Archbishop Polding ; but he was greeted by a multitude of friends who knew him, while Archbishop Vaughan is welcomed by a multitude of frionds who did not know him. First receptions too are usually tho best, perhaps, because they are the first, and Sydney is the first and only archiepiscopal Australian see. The demonstration of Tuesday was not quite so enthusiastic as that which took place on the arrival of the SufFrngan Bishops, but it was, however, a more general one, and it showed no lack of spirit. The day was empathically a day of expectation, and the expectation does nH end with the day. The people wanted to honor Dr Vaughan, and they wanted to see and hear him — their determination to do this manifesting itself all day, from the time when the city bells rang out their Bigaal-call in the morning until the conclwning notes of the Te Deum were, in the evening, smothered in tho impatient crush at the Pro-Cathedral. The realistic forces of these scenes (upon the wharf and in Church) must certainly have dissipated any notion that might previously have settled in the mind of his Qraoe — under the glamour of the Australian sun, and sea, and shore — lhat in entering Fort Jackson ho was sailing straight into fairy land. | It is very wonderful how sooii on an occasion of this kind the bishop is forgotton in the man. Even the best of Catholics feel the common spell of humanity. But Dr Vaughan soon disarmed ciiticism by his manner and speech. If first impressions be true his Grace will be a most popular prelate. There has been no disguise here of tho feeling* that there would have been more general satisfaction had our Coadjutor Archbishop been chosen in accordance with the precedent of nomination established in Ireland mid America, and adhered to lor very many jears without a breach until this precedent lias been hardened into a rule— a precedent too established in England, but not there undeviatingly adhered to. Even the chairman of the first public meeting called to take steps to receive his Grace suitably, took the opportunity of proclaiming that ho, himself, would wish tho choice haJ fallen in " another quarter " ; and the principal speaker, who was " neither an Englishman nor an Irishman," apparently concurred in this view, as a matter of justice. We menlion these facts to show that there was no "gpurnn^ up" for the recent demonstration, and we think the manner of his rccptiou will convince Dr Vaughan lhat principle not prejudice was involved in the aversion shown to his appointment. Had there been any poivonul or national prejudice at work he would certainly not have been iwceived as he h.ta boon. Dr Vaughan could not hide liis nervou-.ii* I *-:* upon this point notwithstanding Ins marvellous tact and judgment, mid a less adroit elocutionist would certainly have bluudered over Ins beautiful allusion to the tics ot sympathy betw ecu the old Catholic laouliasof England and persecuted Ireland. But his reception, which lie- himtielf designates as "princely," i tilt; most practical proof that could possibly be givon that his fears in this lc-peet aie groundless. ll is Giuee has a pleasant way of puttuig huroilf en rapport with tho Catholic laity, and wo take it as a happy augury for the future. — ' Fryman's Journal.'