People We Hear About

New Zealand Tablet, 11 May 1911, Page 873

People We Hear About

On the feast ,of Ireland’s Apostle, an Irishman died in : New York whose name ? may soon' be forgotten- in the hurry and noise of that great city, but whose work will continue for many a day to accommodate the teeming population of the metropolis. . For John B. McDonald, ; who departed this life after several I weeks’ illness on St. Patrick’s Day, was the builder of the Subway, that great artery of the life-blood of New York. This, of course, was not the only nor even the greatest engineering feat performed by Mr. McDonald, but it is the one with which his name is most generally connected. Mr. McDonald was a Corkman, having been.born in the ‘Fair City’ in 1844, the son of Bartholomew McDonald, a contractor and an Alderman. Notre Dame University, in awarding the Laetare Medal this year to Agnes Repplier has conferred a high honor on one of America’s most brilliant essayists (remarks the Catholic News). Miss Repplier is a graduate of the Sacred Heart. Convent, Eden Hall, Torresdale, near Philadelphia, .and through her writings. she reveals her ' strong Catholic faith and gives evidence of the fine training she "received at the convent. As a Laetare Medallist Miss Repplier "is in good company. From 1883, when the first Laetare Medal was bestowed on John Gilmary Shea, until the present day the recipients of this honor from the great University have all been noted members of . the American Catholic laity who have performed conspicuous work, in literature, art, science, or philanthropy. Among the women similarly honored as Miss Repplier have been Eliza Allen Starr, art critic; Anna Hanson Dorsey, novelist; Mrs. J. Sadlier novelist; Katherine E. Conway, editor, and Frances Fisher Tiernan (Christian Reid), author. . Count Cecil-Kearney, whose death has taken place at Ins London residence recently, came of an ancient’ and distinguished Milesian family, who. were possessors of Kearney Castle and vast territories in and around the city of Cashel from the time of King John, and who were for many centunes hereditary keepers of St.'. Patrick’s pastoral staff (commonly called the ■ ‘ Kearney crozi'er ’) until its transfer to the Archbishops of Cashel, in whose care it still remains. The late Count, who traced a royal pedigree, being a lineal descendant of the O’Briens, Kings of Thomond, in the early history of Ireland, was formerly an officer in the 97th Regiment. He was created a Count of Rome by Pius IX. Who revived in his favor the title originally bestowed in the reign of James 11. upon an ancestor, who was son of that Monarch s Secretary of State. Count Kearney for many: years aas a notable personality 'at all religious and social gatherings of the Catholic body in London. .. " The birthplace of the Catholic scientist Pasteur at Dole has become a place of pilgrimage for the people of Jura and the neighboring departments. They go to contemplate with respect this modest dwelling where on December 27, 1822, one of the most illustrious savants of our time first saw light, and the Municipal Council bv a unanimous vote, has purchased the house. Pasteur up to the-entT-of his life, showed the greatest affection for’this little house. Notwithstanding his great and manifold labors, he never allowed a year to pass without visiting the old home, wluc.i he always behold with emotion. Great was Pasteur s my on a certain visit to his birthplace when kf u- ?.n Ar , ls . x tho ancient sign-board of the tannery < f his father, with its gaudy colors. He brought it piously to Pans, to the Institute in the Rue Dutot, and there pmend it in his bedroom, by the side of a portrait of his mother, which he had painted himself when he was fifteen years old. cu r Courtfield the ancient and historic home of the \aughans at Ross, Herefordshire, has been the scene of a : fire, the consequence of which may be termed disastrous at least from an historical standpoint. The Vaughans have been settled at Courtfield in Ross for centuries,- and the historic chamber in which Henry V. of Monmouth was nursed aas nearly burned out. But for the energetic handling of the outbreak by the household, who soon extinguished the flames the mansion would have been destroyed The nursery at Monmouth is the only room which lias suffered to any eat extent, and was in the occupation of Miss \auglian. xhe family of the Vaughans are noted for their devotion to the Church. The present owner of Courtfield is Col. Baj am V aughan, whose father also held the same military rank. He had three brothers, who entered‘the Church. One was a Jesuit, another a Redemptorist and the third was the late venerable Catholic Bishop of’ Plymouth, whose unobtrusive bearing was cnlv equalled bv became r IS„, man ”S' T 1 F v*' 1 '! °- “clesiastici oecame nuns. Col. J I. Vaughans offspring have enlaiged the record. There were fourteen children of whom! eight were sons. Of these six became ecclesiastics. One was the late Cardinal, another son became Archbishop U of Sydney, and a third, Father Jerome, founded the community at Fort Augustus. The others are Father Kenehn V aughan, Bishop John Vaughan, and Father Bernard Vaughan, S.J whose setmons create so much interest All the sisters entered convents. 3 • AU