168 
from the medical college lodge in the house, and two of them are 
constantly present. For lunatics there are appropriate cells on 
the ground-floor. 
I was twice in the Catholic Cathedral, the first time on Sun¬ 
day, October 30th. The desire of hearing good music, decided 
me on going to this church, and I had no occasion to repent it. At 
the beginning of the service, I remained standing near the door, 
but being perceived, was conducted to a pew near the altar. The 
archbishop was sitting on an elevated chair, under a canopy. The 
music was particularly good, both in composition and execution. 
There were ladies attached to the choir, and it was a lady who 
played the organ. The charity sermon, by Mr. Wheeler, on 
charity and on the pleasure of doing good, was very edifying. This 
text had been chosen to move the hearts of the congregation, in 
behalf of the Catholic poor-school. Several days after, I return¬ 
ed to the Cathedral, in company with Mr. Vallenilla, (attached 
to the Colombian legation, and who had lately been married here,) 
to see Dr. Fenwick consecrated bishop of Boston. The church 
was crowded; it was with difficulty we obtained seats in a gallery 
opposite to the choir. A mass, composed by Cimarosa, was ex¬ 
ecuted under the direction of Mr. H. Gilles, in a masterly style. 
I do not remember to have heard such good music for a long time. 
The best female voices were those of Mrs. French, Mrs. Gilles, 
and Miss Olivia Donaldson, sister-in-law to Mr. Vallenilla. The 
ceremony lasted very long. I remained from ten o’clock until 
two, P. M. and then left the church; the service continued until 
three o’clock. The archbishop himself officiated, in pontifica- 
libus , with a mitre of cloth of gold and his gilded crosier-staff. 
He was served by the bishops of Charleston and Philadelphia, 
who wore mitres of cloth of silver. The first, Mr. England, de¬ 
livered a long sermon, with a strong Irish accent, of which I 
did not understand much, except that he drew a comparison be¬ 
tween a republican state citizen and a good Catholic: he spoke 
with much vehemence, and was very declamatory. It is said 
that this prelate is one of the pillars of the Romish church, in the 
United States. 
I found the society very agreeable in Baltimore; at dinners 
every thing was unceremonious, and the conversation very in¬ 
structive and lively; the evening parties afforded excellent music; 
the ladies in general are very handsome, and sing very well. It 
was at one of these evening parties, given by Mr. Henry Gilles, 
that I made the acquaintance of General Bernard and his lady, 
Baroness Serchenfeld of Bavaria. His acquaintance gave me 
great pleasure. I found him a very plain, modest and interesting 
man. 
