Conway, Patrick James, Notre Dame, Indiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1854? April?

Conway is well. Father Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C. came from France about two months ago. The boys had a large fire in the yard when he came and the professor told the boys to get their ranks. Nearly all the priests and seminarians were there. They sang an anthem in the church and then went into one of the wings of the College and the boys made speeches in Irish, French, and German. One of the Brothers played the fiddle and one of the professors played the harp. They shot off the cannon in the yard three times. Sorin told them that coming from France, his steamer was driven on an island; the captain blamed the priests and monks on board. There are several societies in the college; there is one of the Blessed Virgin. It is directed by Father Alexis Granger, C.S.C. Grangier. He is a good priest and all the boys like him. There is a picture of the Blessed Virgin over the altar; they are painting palm trees in this little chapel. :: VI-1-g A.L.S. 2pp. 8vo.