The intelligence in McFarland's letter has saddened Spalding. He had heard that Father John De Neve was ill but had no hint that his malady would terminate so sadly. The rector should be a Belgian so that he may have influence with the Belgian Bishops and clergy. If Father F. Dumont is still there Spalding would vote for him. He thinks he was vice-president when he visited the college a year ago. He is acceptable and is on the ground. He has been a missionary to Michigan and was selected by Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere . Spalding's second choice would be Father P. Defraine whom the Bishop of Louisville would be loath to part with. If McFarland agrees about Dumont he should let him know and he will write to the Archbishop of Mechlin in their names. The appointment might be provisional during the illness of the rector who would naturally be replaced by the vice-rector. He asks if McFarland has heard anything of Father H. Spruyt . The letter he wrote him to Willimantic was returned. He fears that he is worse than dead. McFarland wrote about him, he having followed McFarland from the American College in Louvain :: I-1-c A.L.S. 2pp. 4to.