August 1^st. 1843. A newspaper from Mr. Troy and a *letter* from Fr. Pentony - strange that Kilian has not written respecting his future. Met in my ramble this evening little Paddington - there is something mysterious about this little man. Can any notions respecting his location in the Guiana Vicariate be entertained by himself or the Propaganda?

August 2 1843. D^r. O'Finan has been at the Propaganda, and found them in Congress - this is unusual on a Wednesday. A visit from Fr. Browne - he tells me that a new Prior has been appointed to the Posterula - a Father Lynch of Callan Convent.

Gagliardi called, and seemed a little nervous about the commission of Fr. Kilian - he has the picture nearly finished and knows not where to apply for payment.

A suffocating sirocco today - crawled out this evening after 22 o'clock but found it then so oppressive that I was scarcely able to move.

3^rd. D^r. O'Finan called at the Propaganda today, but Brunelli had no news for him, not having yet spoken to the Pope on the subject of his affairs. Poor old man - he appears disappointed and dispirited. He had it, he said, on the highest authority that Bishop Rese is imprisoned within one of the convents in Rome!! There was a rumour to this effect some year or two ago, but I gave no credit to it. A newspaper from Mr. Troy.

4^th. S. Dominic's Day. Lyons called on me and wished to leave with me a paper, part of the long coming defence of D^r. O'Finan, which I refused receiving. Some other points connected with his own case are to be discussed in the General Congregation of Monday next.

Dined at the Minerva - an excellent fish dinner including sturgeon - as usual on this day the Franciscan General presided.

From Lyons' report of an observation which fell from Monsignor Brunelli, there seems little hope for poor O'Finan in that quarter.

The state of Ireland is better understood by the Italians than I had any previous idea of - I was both surprised and pleased at the accurate knowledge which the Franciscan General Cipolletti and others displayed on the subject.

5^th. August 1843. A letter from M. K. much more satisfactory than the last - hers to Marcella must have been written under the feeling that it would be read by the Superioress. A letter also from Masini. Met D^r. Cullen and D^r. O'Connor. Walked to S. Maria Maggiore to hear Vespers.

6^th. Within all morning - read the paper which Lyons left with D^r. O'Finan - a very able comment but quite mal à propos as a defence of the Bishop of Killaloe. Met Downing - he has been appointed Prior of Dungarvan.

Tomorrow the Guiana question will be decided - I am glad that MacDonald and MacNamara have not as yet appeared.

7^th. On the deliberation of this morning's Congregation my future destiny rests. God grant that something positive will be fixed.

Bought a S. Paul the first Hermit from a poor lady in distress. She maintains it for a Guercino and I believe it is. I was asked 30 Scudi for it - she consents to take three - bought it.

A letter from J. Ryan at last - he accounts for his silence.

Met D^r. Baggs who told me that Sharples' case was to come on today, not for Malta but for England - also a Mr. Riddle's for England, likewise with O'Connor's for Pittsburgh.

This day closed without relieving my uncertainty as to the result of this morning's deliberations as affecting myself. Unfortunately tomorrow will be Congress day and I cannot call upon Brunelli.

8^th. August 1843. A visit from Fr. Browne. Met Lyons. In the General Congregation of yesterday, Cardinal Fransoni renewed the discussion on his case and sought to undo all that had been done in the last Congregation, but did not succeed. L. came off triumphantly.

Assisted at the *laureation* of the regent of S. Dominic's, Bologna.

Still without any notification from the Propaganda.

9^th. Called at the Propaganda this morning and saw Monsignor Brunelli - the substance of the interview was that they were ready to give me Guiana and Barbados, but that the addition of the other islands named by me would require the assent of a General Congregation, which could not be held till after the vacation. He asked me if I would consent to accept the Vicariate with the four Islands, and I said yes. He then remarked that I might depart immediately with jurisdiction (as I understood him, over Guiana) and employ the intermediate time between this and the holding of the Congregation in looking out for priests etc. With respect to New Brunswick, for which I applied in preference to Guiana, he said that nothing was as yet settled as to making that a Vicariate; and that the Cardinal and the others had no recollection of having mentioned the likelihood, nay the certainty of my being appointed to it. What unprincipled lyars. Clancy asked for two months leave of absence from Rome - he was ordered to withdraw Bates from the mission.

Dr. O'Finan had also an interview of the Secretary. The Pope will not listen to a rehearing of his case. Vae victis [woe to the conquered].

Changed a £24 bill at Freeborn's.

10^th. August 1843. Paid for two pictures 75 Scudi - one of them for Mr. Troy.

Wrote to M. K. and Revd. T. Grace.

A visit from D^r. Kirby who brought me the letters from Demerara. The secret has come out - the Cardinal is the obstacle to my appointment to Demerara - Kirby looked on it as certain, having heard it from one of the Segretteria - no doubt Abbate Palma. He seems mortified at the result so far. Cullen, he says, went three times to the Cardinal on the subject, and he himself once, and found him very cold. Next Wednesday will settle the matter one way or the other.

Dr. O'Connor and D^r. Sharples are to be consecrated on Tuesday next, in the church of the Irish College by Cardinal Fransoni. Kirby invited me to attend.

11^th. What a mortifying disappointment it will be should the obstinacy of Fransoni continue. Wednesday will decide whether he will yield or not.

Called at the Posterula and saw Downing, who promises to write to Fr. Kilian respecting the Crucifixion.

The report concerning D^r. Rese has been contradicted by another of D^r. O'Finan's authorities.

Met Lyons and Donovan together this evening - the latter ran across the street to speak to me - this is the first approach at familiarity since the Tablet which contained the lying account of S. Patrick's day reached Rome.

12^th. Since Kirby's late visit I have been in a sad state of mind.

Had a visit from a friend of Masini's - a professor in the Academy of Perugia. He speaks enthusiastically of the merits of the Ascension. Had a letter also from Mas: by post. Wrote to the Misses Grant of Leghorn - posted the letter myself.

12^th. August 1843. D^r. O'Finan has had an interview with Cardinal Castracane on the subject of his affairs and has taken as high ground as if they were easy of accommodation - no hint that he was disposed to accept the pension dropt from him - nothing will satisfy him but the removal of D^r. Feeny. If he wait for that, he will wait till the cows come home.

Dean Lyons called and brought with him another portion of his defence of D^r. O'Finan. The Dean is evidently impatient till the work is done and he is off. A visit from Fr. Browne.

Bought two prints each of S. Peter and S. Paul for Mr. Lee - paid for them 18 *pounds*.

Called at the Palazzo Valdambrini on the Dutch Ambassador Count Ludoweke whose card was handed to me a few days ago by the Porter. It was a curious mistake - the card was left for a countryman of his, Count Vandervreke, who is domiciled in the Minerva and was presented by the stupid portiero to me instead of to that gentleman.

Met Cullen and Kirby this evening - there seems something more kind than usual in their manner - can this mean anything.

Within all morning, ruminating over my present disagreeable position. I cannot divert my mind from it for a moment. Strange that we have no account of the two priests who left Demerara for Rome? Walked to S. Peter's this evening still pondering on my unpleasant position. I shall call on Monsignor Brunelli in the morning and strive to extract something from him of a decisive nature. I have had many uncertain and anxious moments since my arrival, but this present period of uncertainty is the most agonizing of any I have ever felt.

14^th. August 1843. Called at the Propaganda and found them in Congresso.

Met in my walk little Paddington - he congratulated me on my appointment - he heard it at the Irish College - and from two or three other persons.

15^th. Assumption of B. V. D^r. O'Connor and D^r. Sharples were consecrated this morning by Cardinal Fransoni in the Church of the Irish College, the first, Bishop of Pittsburgh in the United States; the latter, Coadjutor Bishop of the Lancashire district, England.

Took a walk to S. Maria degli Angeli. The whole world is out - The City wears an interesting appearance this evening - the windows are all lit up in honour of the festival - and the innumerable Madonnas with which Rome abounds are hung with new drapery, ornamented with chandeliere and lit up with wax.

16^th. Called at the Propaganda this morning and saw Monsignor Brunelli. He had still no decisive answer to give me, and owing as he said to the Cardinal's not being able to make up his mind as to the addition of the four Islands to Guiana. He advised me to see the Cardinal and excite him to put an end to the business - to represent to him that I cannot remain as I am etc. I promised to see his Em: tomorrow. I do not know what to think of the audience, and the advice of Mon: Brunelli - can it be a ruse on his part to get rid of the question, by hearing from the Cardinal an unfavorable answer.

17^th. Called on the Cardinal this morning - found him cold and stately, but courteous - had a long conversation about Demerara and the enlargement of the Vicariate. D^r. Clancy succeeded in wresting the property of the Church from the hands of the Trustees and hence, he said, their hostility to him - Lyons and Donovan must have been labouring through Cardinal Acton to make this impression on him. To the additional Islands - could easily see that his mind was already made up as to the propriety of adding Barbados. Called on Monsignor Brunelli and told him of my interview with the Cardinal. He promised to do anything in his power to bring matters to a speedy termination.

On my return home found three letters for me - one from M. K. - and two from Demerara - from J. Taggart and T. Burke. Taggart's is set to the old tune - it mentions the death of unfortunate Bates. Burke's was evidently written by F. Clancy and deals altogether in generalities. I thought it but fair however to give D^r. C. the benefit of it. I accordingly waited on D^r. Cullen and requested him to lay both letters before the Cardinal, and to express my unwillingness to have any further connexion with Guiana. Met at Irish College D^r. O'Connor and D^r. Sharples, the two newly consecrated Bishops.

18^th. Went with Fr. Young to the Irish College to pay a visit and introduce him to Bishop O'Connor. Saw Drs. Cullen and Kirby.

It is an unusual circumstance to see T. Burke heading a petition and forwarding it to Rome. He is a good natured man and lent himself to it, no doubt in the absence of other parties, to assist a friend.

Met D^r. O'Finan in my evening ramble - walked home with [him] and had another dose of the never-ending subject of Killaloe and D^r. MacHale.

19^th. Surprised this morning to receive a visit from Fr. Mullock of Broadlane - 14 days from Cork. The Franciscans have had a terrible blow up at their Chapter. The General empowered D^r. Murray to name a President for the Chapter and he accordingly named O'Shea, whose conduct as such has been so extraordinary as to lead to the breaking up of it without coming to any election - in fact he is alleged to have turned them out of the room where they were met, and dissolving them most imperiously proprio motu [on his own authority]. They had thirty three vocals, and out of these twenty three who would vote for a Mr. Walsh of Wexford have deputed Mullock to represent them in Rome - but their General seems disposed to throw the nomination of the President into the hands of D^r. Murray - a sad business as represented.

Dr. Clancy it would seem is in Paris. Mullock had a letter from him. It would not surprise me to learn that he had slipped off to Demerara. A letter from Grant of Leghorn. Gave 2 and a half Scudi to Bartolini in part payment of his job. Ordered a case to be made for the paintings.

20^th. Within all morning. The idea of Clancy's making for Demerara is not at all improbable. I regret now that I placed any impediment in the way of MacDonald and MacNamara's coming to Rome. Strange, however, that they have not written. Made my usual Sunday visit to S. Peter's - met there Mullock, Wormington and MacLaughlin. J. Clancy never dropt a word relative to his brother's resignation to Mullock - nor did M. know before leaving Cork of D^r. C's departure from Rome. C. has, I am persuaded, hoaxed in some measure the Propaganda. His object, it is now clear, was not to hurry to London to discuss the question of his salary with Lord Stanley but to hasten off with some papers connected with the mission, either to screen himself or to turn them to account.

21 August 1843. A visit from a young Roman, an agent of ecclesiastical affairs. He told me as certain that Radice, a copyist in the Propaganda, received 6,000 dollars from an ecclesiastic for whom he had procured a mitre through Gaetanino! This person is Bp. in America - north or south, he could not say.

Met Cullen and D^r. O'Connor out this morning - there is no understanding this Cullen - it is impossible to make out whether he be friendly or not. He has it in his power to do great mischief underhand. Perhaps Monsignor Brunelli told him of the treachery I experienced in respect to Halifax in the suppression of D^r. Murray's letter, coupling his name with it. I note this from remarking something strange tho' not unusual in Cullen's countenance.

A visit from Fr. Mullock. His account of O'Shea and Kilian shows to what extent tyranny may be carried in the Franciscan Order. there is scarcely a Franciscan in Ireland who has not been changed from one Convent to another two or three times during the short period of Kilian's administration. The slightest opposition to his acts is threatened or punished with suspension. O'Shea plays off his pranks at Adam & Eve's - he will allow no visits but in the parlour - orders all the letters coming to the house to be in the first instance presented to him. Serves them at dinner according to his caprice - giving more to some, less to others. the word suspension is ever ready to be launched against the unfortunate man who ventures to look cross - altogether it is a most disgraceful state of things.

M. says that Mrs. Cantillon travelled with D^r. C. under a feigned name.

22nd. August 1843. A visit from Masini's friend Guiseppi Carattoli, the celebrated ristoratore. He gave a touch to the Delinda which it wanted. Masini would complete the Thirst of the Crusaders for 70 Louis - there are five figures in it - the canvas about the size of Peter's Viaggio dei Maggi.

Paid Bartolini 9 Scudi for his work - promised him one Scudo more.

Invited by the Confraternity of S. Lorenzo in Lucina to pontificate for them on Sunday next.

A visit in the evening from Bp. O'Connor.

23^rd. This is the most important jotting down I have had to do for some time. There now appears a certainty of my being able to quit Rome shortly. Called on Monsignor Brunelli this morning - he told me that he had spoken to the Pope on Sunday night last, and it was settled that I should go back to Demerara - that they were now treating of the Island which was to be annexed to it. He said that as there was a question of the dismemberment of D^r. MacDonald's Vicariate that it should be referred to a General Congregation, which would have no difficulty assenting to it - that he would bring it before the first Congregation after the Vacation, which will be in November - that in the meantime I might leave. The Cardinal is to send for me to determine upon the particular Island. They will not agree to the four I have named, but if I get Grenada I shall be content for the present.

Felt very ill all day - indeed these three or four days I am out of sorts. Took a drive by S. Peter's and Ponte Mori.

24^th. August 1843. Visit from Fr. Mullock and the Guardian of S. Isidore - their General is playing the Italian with them in reference to their Chapter.

A visit from Bp. Sharples who leaves on Monday for England. Very much pleased with him. He will please, I think, the good people to whom he is sent, being of good appearance, gentleman-like manners, considerable accomplishments and, I am sure, genuine piety. Invited D^r. O'Finan and myself to dine with him at the English College on Sunday next.

26^th. Two newspapers from London - sent by Fr. Pentony. No message as yet from the Cardinal.

27^th. Said Mass this morning for the Confraternity of S. Lorenzo, whose Protector Cardinal Acton is.

Dined with Bp. Sharples at the English College - an excellent dinner, given in good style - plenty of champagne etc. Several professors of the Roman College were of the party, besides Cardinals Acton and Ostini - Monsignor Brunelli - Pentini - Cullen - Kirby - Hughes - Dwyer etc. etc. At the conclusion of the dinner, God Save the Queen was sung with good taste by a party of the students.

It seems that T. Olliffe was named Coadjutor of D^r. Carew, Calcutta, in the last General Congregation of Propaganda.

28^th August 1843. D^r. Sharples says that Butler has not as yet shown his face in Liverpool.

A letter from Mr. Troy, with a draft for £10 - and two newspapers. Bps O'Connor and Sharples start this evening.

29^th. Half dead with anxiety and expectation - these Propaganda people will kill me by their torturing delays. The weather too has become boiling hot, and here I am unable to move to a cooler region.

Had my pictures inspected today - tomorrow I hope to see them cased.

30^th. Saw Monsignor Brunelli - he repeated that all was settled respecting Demerara, but that the question of the island or islands should go before a General Congregation. He said I might leave if I liked as soon as possible.

31^st. Called on Cardinal Fransoni, who seemed more gracious than usual. He confirmed all that Monsignor Brunelli said respecting Guiana. Waited on the Secretary and informed him of my interview with the Prefect. He promised to write tomorrow to have the briefs made out as quick as possible.

A letter with enclosure from the Prioress of Drogheda Convent, which cost me 99 baiocchi.

A letter also from M. K. Sent a newspaper to Fr. Grace.

A visit from Revd. Mr. O'Grady of Westland Row, Dublin.

Surprised in the Corso by Sig: Masini, just arrived with the painting from Perugia.

Consigned to Calidani my case of paintings to be forwarded via Livorno to Cork.