Father Cullen*» Welcome. 
18 c? 
Negroes wlio had never previously refrained from giving vent to tlieir 
bad tempers when prevented pitching camp at sundown were as silent 
as the life surrounding ns. The lesson they had been taught this 
morning was still too fresh in their memory, and their inward exaspera- 
tion was under such firm control, that their outward calm actually 
eclipsed Nature’s because the latter would be interrupted now and again 
by a water-fowl taking to the wing, by the sad melancholy note of the 
goat-sucker or of an owl, or by the buzzing of insects swarming around 
the closed Nymphaeae. At last when even my own patience threatened to 
give way we heard at a fair distance off the sounds of several flutes and 
violins, a sure sign that we were now within the precincts of the Mission : 
a few shots on our part ought therefore to let the frolickers know that 
there were still some uninvited guests coming to the feast. 
617. The first boat stopped at the landing, its repeated gun-fire 
notifying the residents that strangers had arrived : a large lantern was 
soon seen swaying in our direction and then Mr. King greeted Missionary 
Cullen who was carrying it. The latter received us in very friendly 
fashion but regretted that we had not come the day before when he had 
celebrated some Saint’s day with his wards. Midnight was long past: 
but so as to give the loudest expression he possibly could to the joy 
felt by him at our arrival, he ordered the boy accompanying him to use 
up the whole supply of powder and fire the small mortar that he 
possessed, instructions which the lad right willingly obeyed. Under a 
continued cannonade we accordingly climbed the hill on which the 
Mission stood and entered our cordial host’s quarters which at the same 
time served as Parish Church. Besides Fr. Cullen, we met his brother, 
a young surgeon only arrived from Ireland a few weeks before just to 
visit his brother, as well as a young catechist whom the Bishop had 
despatched from Georgetown with letters. Kitchen and cellar were put 
under contribution afresh, and everything that had not been devoured at 
the Saint’s feast, was placed at our disposal. The quieter we new arrivals 
had whiled away the time before midnight the noisier did we spend the 
subsequent hours. A huge bowl of whiskey-punch shortly steamed upon 
the table: it was quickly emptied and soon made the company lively. 
Irish songs followed Irish speeches, till finally by dawn of day, we 
sneaked into our hammocks. On opening my eyes in broad daylight I 
got a shock: in front of me was the High Altar with its crucifix rising 
above the empty bottles and glasses that had been heaped up around it, 
while the steps served as stalls for several goats! While still upset over 
this desecration of the Most Holy, I heard the priest’s loud voice 
driving the goats off the steps and us out of our hammocks : he had yet 
to say Mass during the forenoon, and accordingly everything profane had 
to be removed to a distance. Were all these persons in earnest or were 
they hypocrites? I believed the former, because Cullen saw nothing 
scandalous in it, and thought my surprise unaccountable. 
618. At the hour appointed some 300 people or so came up for llieir 
devotions, stepped up to Fr. Cullen who now seemed quite another 
