Adventures and Misadventures of a Jolly Beggar (continued)
Destroyed 12 years ago by earthquake—20,000 buried. On Monday, 27th April, 10 o'clock, but started at twelve. Rested that night—no mention of place. Some stop of mensajeria. Up at 2:00 of 28th. Off at 3:30. At 10:00 came to a post, had breakfast. At 1:00 another post "introduced as Archbishop of U.S.A." On 30th arrived in Rio Cuarto. Train in Rio Cuarto for Rosario (probably 1st May). Arrived Rosario, Saturday, 2nd May at 9 p.m. Rosario, 3rd May said Mass at 12:00 steamboat for Buenos Aires. Arrived TALITA on 4th a.m. Then—hour and a half in train for Buenos Aires.
4th May 1874: Put up at San Francisco. On 5th, St. Pius and octave of St. Paul of the Cross said mass of St. Paul. Heard of a Canon Dillon (feared might be another Vicuna Mackenna). Looks for him. Runs into a Protestant Seminary "they were all a parcel of heretics." Saw Cathedral and Bishop's house. Went in mechanically and "in three minutes was thrown into the presence of His Grace the Archbishop." Was told I had all the faculties at once in the diocese. Got Canon Dillon's address. Found him "he was a real fine fellow, educated in All Hallows, who worked his way by sheer talent and integrity to the head of the clergy in the diocese. He behaved like a true Irishman."
"On Pentecost Sunday, 24th May, preached at the High Mass in San Roque. In the evening at 6:30, I preached the first sermon of a week's mission to the Irish in this city. The opening was very well attended." Afterwards at Archbishop's attended levee, introduced to Sarmiento (president). Passed pleasant hour. 25th May feast, Te Deum, fireworks. Called at Irish convent and a lot of Ballymahon girls cried for joy at seeing me and gave donation. "On Sunday, 31st May, Trinity, concluded mission. The first ever given in Buenos Aires and people said they never saw so many men in the Church before as were at my concluding discourse. One 2nd June sent 120 pounds to Dublin, chiefly Irish contributions."
Went to Lujan—Irish Chaplain there, Fr. O'Reilly. Chapel three leagues away. Got to Brown's in time for dinner. "The camp is like an Irish bog, but no heather and does not move. His lap-wing (tero-tero). Mr. Brown is a Barony of Forth man (Wexford). He possesses a league and a quarter square foot of land and flocks and herds innumerable. He is the richest estanciero in these parts. He has a very nice place and has brought up a fine family. His plan; give little mission, 3 or 4 days at each central point and collect alms when I find the people assembled. It is impossible to visit all, as every home is about nine miles apart. On Thursday, 4th June, Corpus Christi preached at La Choza and started mission. 5th & 6th brought bigger crowds, on Sunday quite a congregation. All on horseback from 10, 20, & 30 miles. In this way I got $8,000 - 320 gold dollars (64 pounds). Heard confessions six hours one day. Archbishop given me most ample faculties.
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