THE EOMAN CATHOLIC MISSION. 
73 
At the close of this month some thirty or more Roman Catholic 
missionaries arrived^ and their chapel was re-opened. T was startled 
irto tears when first I heard the chapel hell : home seemed nearer. 
Some of the monks were to proceed np the White Nile to a station 
of the community called Santa Croce^ and others were to form a 
settlement between Khartoum and the Nouaer territory. None 
would go to Gondokoro^ where they had formerly established an 
important station,, hut attended with difficulties so great that they 
had been compelled to abandon it. Their mission-house at Khar- 
toum is built of sandstone : it is an imposing edifice^ and the 
gardens are extensile. 
Shortly after the arrival of the missionaries,, they invited the 
European residents^ numbering about thirty^ to assist at a Mass in 
memory of Dr. Peney, who died recently at Gondokoro. He had 
been universally esteemed, and few absented themselves from pay- 
ing that tribute of respect. We were accompanied by some of our 
household, amongst whom was Halima. I had endeavoured these 
past weeks (with all humility) to give her Christian teaching. The 
disconsolate widow, Madame Peney (an Abyssinian), clad in the 
blue mourning robes of the country, ashes on her head and face, 
was kneeling close to us. Her stifled sobs, the darkened chapel, 
the coffin, velvet palled, in which were no remains, the chanting 
of the Miserere, touched us deeply. It was known also that two 
of the monks recently arrived were dead and others were ill, and 
so a great gloom oppressed us all. 
Leaving quickly the chapel when the last rites had been cele- 
brated, I hastened home with Halima, not trusting myself to speak 
to those who were at the mission-house, where coffee, &c., was to 
be served. My heart was full as I thought who next of the little 
band was to be called away ? Halima suddenly asked me. 
