In 1872, Parke had the pleasure of meeting Monseigneur Theodore Augustine Fercade in his episcopal city of Nevers, France. Since the name of Fercade may soon be prominent in French history and his pedigree may soon be looked up, Parke ventures to offer what little he knows about the man. Fercade is a man of fine abilities, descent, and brave services in the mission field. In 1872, while enroute from Lourdes to Brittany in quest of clerical help, Parke called at Nevers, chiefly to invoke the aid of St. Bernadette for the American Missions, especially those of Virginia. A French "comptesse", personally known to Fercade, advised Parke that the Monseigneur was able to speak English, and so Parke called on him, finding him to be perfectly at home with English, and a princebishop, in the best sense of the word. Fercade has served in the mission fields of Asia and of South America and should be in the 36th year of his Episcopate at the present time. His first services ware in Hong-Kong where he stayed for seven years as Vicar Apostolic and Bishop of that diocese and after this preparation he was recalled to the important see of Nevers, where in 1872, he was completing another 11 years. Cardinal Godefroy Broussais St. Marc, informed Parke at Rennes, France that the Prelate of Nevers stood very high in the opinion of Rome. Parke encloses a photograph of Fercade. Because the Freeman's Journal does not follow a policy of printing such pictures, Parke was tempted to send his sketch to the Brooklyn Review, which does reproduce pictures, but on second thought he has given his preferences to the Journal. He asks that the picture be returned to him since it is a souvenir of his visit to France in 1872 and binds together the names of Fercade and Bernadette of Lourdes. This scant data is entirely at McMaster's disposal and Parke hopes it may lead to more ample information. He credits the Journal for openly publishing the cures and favors given at Lourdes for the last six years, at a time when many deemed this unwise. He prefers that his name be smothered if McMaster uses this information. :: I-2-c A.L.S. 3pp. 8vo.