This inconvenient condition of affairs was protracted by the general poverty of the people, and by the fact that the bishop of New York, to whose jurisdiction they belonged, was so destitute of clergymen, that he could send no one to endeavor to build up a church.

The Rev. John Power, pastor of St. Peter's church, New York, considering the Catholics in Brooklyn as part of his parish, frequently came over, and sent other clergymen to offer the sacrifice of the mass and preach the word of God, in private houses or such rooms as could be obtained.

The first Catholic service in Brooklyn is said to have been a mass celebrated at the residence of Mr. William Purcell, on the north-east corner of York and Gold Streets, by the Rev. Philip Larissy. Among other clergy who ministered to them from time to time were Rev. Michael O'Gorman, Rev. Patrick Bulger, Rev. Mr. McCauley and Rev. Mr. McKenna, the last named of whom died in Brooklyn and was interred in the ground finally secured for a church.

On the 7th of January, 1822, a meeting of the Catholics of Brooklyn convened at the house of Mr. Peter Turner, on the corner of Washington and Front streets, and it was resolved to take up earnestly the great work of erecting a church. Their number was small, a careful census of the Catholics in the village, revealing the fact that only seventy were able to contribute either in money or in labor. Mr. Cornelius Heeny offered lots on the corner of Congress and Court streets, as a site for the proposed church, but it was deemed inconvenient and the offer was declined.

St. James's Church. On the 2d of March, 1822, eight lots of land were purchased on the corner of Jay and Chapel streets, four hundred dollars being paid in cash, and three hundred more secured by 9, mortgage. The ground was blessed by Rev. Mr. Bulger on the 25th of April. Just two months later a building committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. George S. Wise, Peter Turner, William Purcell, Quintin M. Sullivan and James Rose. Notwithstanding the difficulties attending the work, the edifice was so far completed that it was dedicated to divine worship, under the name of St. James, an the 28th of August, 1823, by the Right Rev. John Connelly, bishop of New York, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Power.

The building cost, including fences, $7,118.16. Besides those already named, Darby Dawson, James Freel and George McCloskey were active in the good work. A school was at once established, but for some time all efforts to secure a resident pastor failed. After the death of Bishop Connolly, the Very Rev. John Power, who became administrator of the diocese, appointed as pastor of St. James's church, the Rev. John Farnan, who thus became the first resident clergyman.

The clergy of the church from its organization have been: 1825-32, Rev. John Farnan, pastor; 1832-42, Rev. John Walsh, pastor; 1836-7, Rev. P. Dougherty; 1839, Rev. Philip Gillick; 1840, Rev. Patrick Danaher; 1841, Rev. J. McDonagh; 1842-47, Rev. Charles Smith, pastor; 1845-6, Rev. Jerome Nobriga; 1847-8, Rev. Patrick McKenna; 184852, Rev. James McDonough, pastor; 1849, Rev. Eugene McGuire; 1849-52, Rev. John Quinn.

At this time the Roman Catholic churches on Long Island had so increased from the small beginning at St. James, that the Holy See formed the island into a diocese, and the Very Rev. John Loughlin, then vicar general of New York, was appointed bishop of Brooklyn. He was consecrated in St. Patrick's cathedral, New York, on the 3d of October, 1853, by the Most Rev. Cajetan Bedini, archbishop of Thebes, then nuncio from the pope, and subsequently cardinal. Bishop Loughlin made St. James's church his cathedral. Clergy: 1852-7, Rev. Eugene Cassidy, rector; 1852-4, Rev. Samuel A. Mulledy; 1856-7, Rev. Thomas W. McCleery, Rev. D. Whelan; 1857-9, Rev. Thomas Walsh; 1857-60, Rev. John F. Turner; 1857-8, Rev. Bartholomew Gleason; 1859-60, Rev. Robert McGuire; 1859-60, Rev. Robert V. Moyce; 1864, Rev. Joseph Giraud; 1864-6, Rev. Francis J. Freel, D.D.; 1865-8, Rev. Thomas J. Gardner, D.D.; 1867-8, Rev. Eugene MeSherry.

The parish of St. James has maintained a school from the early period of its organization. At present this institution contains four hundred and ten boys under the charge of the brothers of the Christian schools.

St. Paul's Church. The plot of ground originally offered by Cornelius Heeny, Esq., became in time the site of the second Roman Catholic church in the city of Brooklyn. In 1836, the church of St. Paul was erected here. It is a substantial brick building, seventy-two feet by one hundred and twenty-five, and cost about $20,000; the land being then valued at $8,000 more.

The pastors and clergy of this church have been: Rev. Richard Waters, 1838-40; Rev. Nicholas O'Donnell, O.S.A., 1840-7; Rev. James O'DonneIl, O.S.A., 1840-4; Rev. William Hogan, 1845-8; Rev. Joseph A. Schneller, 1848-60; Rev. Hippolyte De Luynes, S.J., 1849-50; Rev. Joseph Regan, 1851-3; Rev. Timothy Farrell, 1852-3; Rev. John Curoe, 1852; Rev. John McShane, 1854-7; Rev. M. O'Reilly, 1854-5; Rev. B. Allaire, 1857-8; Rev. Peter C. Fagan, 1858-60; Rev. - McGerrish, 1862-3; Rev. Robert J. McGuire, 1863-9; Rev. V. Dallis, 1863-5; Rev. - Reddy, Rev. P. McGuire, Rev. John R. McDonald, 1863-4.

A school was established in connection with this church soon after its erection, and has since been regularly maintained. In 1840, it returned one hundred and fifty pupils. The boys' school under the direction of the brothers of the third order of St. Francis had, January 1, 1869, three hundred pupils; the girls' school under the Sisters of Charity, two hundred and forty.

German Church of the Holy Trinity. This church, located in Montrose avenue, near Ewen street (E. D.), was established in July, 1841, for the German Catholics whose numbers began to increase. It was rebuilt in 1853, the corner-stone having been laid by Archbishop Hughes, June 29, in that year. The site and edifice were obtained at the sole expense of first pastor, Rev. John Raffeiner, who directed it till his death, July 17, 1861.

Clergy: 1. Very Rev. John Raffeiner, V. G., Pastor, 1841-61 ; assistants, John Raffeiner, Jr., 1848-9; Rev. John Rauferisen, 1849-50; Rev. Maurus Ramaauer, 1850-1; Rev. Frederic Jung, 1851-2; Rev. Casper Metzler, 1853; Rev. Joseph Huber, 1853-6; Rev. Alois Enders, 1856-7; Rev. P. Albrecht, 1857-9; Rev. Michael May, 1859-61; Rev. John Hauptman, 1859-61. 2. Rev. M. May, pastor, 1861; assistants, Rev. John Hauptman, 1861-63; Rev. Anthony Arnold, 1862-6 ; Rev. Joseph Ulrech, 1865-6; Rev. Gustav Kamerer, 1866-9; Rev. Peter Deaffienbach, 1869; Rev. P. J. Schwarg, 1869. The schools are large, numbering in 1869, eight hundred boys and eight hundred and fifty girls.

St. Mary's Church, subsequently Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Williamsburgh. From about 1838, the Roman Catholic service was offered up in Williamsburgh, and the Catholics there were attended from time to time by the Rev. James O'Donnell, of St. Paul's. In 1841, St. Mary's church was organized, and remained under the pastoral charge of Rev. Mr. O'Donnell, until 1844, when the Rev. Sylvester Malone was appointed. He soon act about the erection of a larger and more commodious church edifice, the number of communicants having increased to three thousand. The new church was erected on Second street, between South Second and Third streets. The former title was not retained, and the new church was dedicated, May 7, 1848, under the patronage of St. Peter and St. Paul.

Pastors: Rev. Sylvester Malone, 1848-69; Rev. F. Huzanski, 1854-60; Rev. John C. Brady, 1856-7; Rev. Peter Fagan, 1857-9; Rev. Joseph Campbell, 1862-4; Rev. John Fagan, 1868; Rev. Philip O'Reilly, 1851-2, Rev. - Venuta, 1851-3; Rev. M. A. Wallace, 1854-5; Rev. P. McGovern, 1855-6.

The parish school, now under the direction of the Sisters of St. Joseph, contains five hundred girls and three hundred boys.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This church, situated on the corner of York and Jay streets, was commenced by the Rev. John Farnan, the first pastor of St. James, as an independent church, during a period in which he had drawn on himself the censures of his ecclesiastical superiors and was no longer regarded as belonging to the Roman Catholic clergy of Brooklyn. Dr. Farnan had many friends in the city, and for a time the building went on, but was never opened, and on his reconciliation with his former superiors, the edifice was completed and dedicated in 1842, under its present title. The first pastor was the Rev. David W. Bacon, now bishop of Portland, in the state of Maine, to which flee he was appointed, April 29, 1855.

Clergy: Rev. (now Right Rev.) David W. Bacon, 1842-55; Rev. McKenna, 1845-6; Rev. Hugh Maguire, 1845-6; Rev. P. J. Vieira, 1852-4; Rev. William Keegan, 1852-69; Rev. Patrick Kelly, 1855-6; Rev. Patrick Bradley, 1856; Rev. P. V. Moyce, 1859; Rev. Gaudentius Ballustrini, 1858-60; Rev. Thomas Farrell, 1863-4; Rev. Thomas A. Reid, 1865-9.

St. Patrick's Church. This church is situated at the corner of Kent and Willoughby avenues. It was the first Roman Catholic church in East Brooklyn, and was commenced in 1848 by the Rev. Hugh Maguire, and was for some years known as the Wallabout church. It was dedicated in honor of St. Patrick, by Bishop Loughlin, on the 3d of August, 1856.

Clergy: Rev. Hugh Maguire, 1848-60; Rev. Patrick O'Neill, 1853-4; Rev. John Dowling, 1854-5; Rev. Henry O'Neill, 1857-8; Rev. Peter C. Fagan, 1863-4; Rev. John Andrew Casella, 1863-4; Rev. Edward Fitzpatrick, 1865-9; Rev. Michael Moran, 1867-9; Rev. J. Conlan, 1869.

St. Patrick's Academy. Adjoining St. Patrick's church, in Kent avenue, Father Fitzpatrick has commenced the erection of a new academy building, which promises to compete favorably with any similar institution now in the city. It will have a frontage of sixty feet and a depth of one hundred and eighteen feet. The front is to be of Philadelphia brick, with brown stone trimmings, and the design is neat and tasteful. It will be three stories in height. The first and second floors will be divided into class rooms, reception rooms, etc., while on the third floor will be a magnificently furnished hall for concerts, lectures, etc., one hundred and sixteen by fifty-six feet, which will supply a want long felt in that locality. The walls and ceiling of this hall will be finished with the finest fresco painting, and the furniture will be of the richest kind. The entire building, when completed, will cost somewhere between $50,000 and 75,000.

Church of St. Charles Borromeo. The Episcopal church on Sydney Place, occupied by the congregation now worshiping in Grace church, was purchased by the Roman Catholics in 1851, and the Rev. Charles Constantine Pise, then pastor of St. Peter's church in Barclay street, New York, and who, as having previously officiated as chaplain to congress, had attained a national reputation, was sent over by Archbishop Hughes to take charge of the new church and parish. Dr. Pise was a gentleman of the most refined tastes and scholarly attainments, and he soon gathered to his church a congregation of the elite of the Catholic population of the city. The plain interior of the church was adorned with superb fresco paintings, and the most eminent artists were employed in the choir, so that the church soon had a wide spread reputation in this latter department.

As the congregation increased, the necessity for a larger church edifice became more and more apparent, and in 1866, Dr. Pise purchased a plot of ground adjoining the church and pastoral residence, for $25,000, for a church site. Father Pise, however, did not survive to see the projected edifice built. He died on the 26th of May, 1867, and was succeeded by Dr. Friel, the present pastor. On the morning of Sunday, the 8th of March, 1868, the old church caught fire from a defective flue, and before the fire department could render assistance, it was almost entirely destroyed with its valuable organ and one of the finest collections of music in the country. The congregation was organized on the following Sunday in the Assembly Rooms in Washington street, which were leased for that purpose, and Father Friel, aided by the members of his congregation, went to work earnestly to collect money for the building of the new church, and three weeks after the old church had been burned down, the first shovelful of earth was dug for the foundation of the new church, and in the following August, the cornerstone was laid with great pomp and ceremony. The edifice, which was dedicated May 24, 1869, was designed by Mr. P. C. Keely, the eminent architect; is built in the English gothic style, of Philadelphia brick, trimmed with Belleville stone, and presents an exceedingly handsome exterior appearance. It is sixty-eight feet front on Sidney Place, one hundred and thirty feet deep, and over one hundred feet main height, with a handsome steeple one hundred feet high from the roof The altar is of white marble, richly chased and ornamented with -old. The pulpit and chancel railings are of black walnut, and the fourteen windows are of stained glass; it will seat altogether about one thousand three hundred people, and when completed, together with the repairs to the old church, which has now been converted into a handsome and commodious schoolhouse, will cost about $70,000. It is a somewhat remarkable fact that on one occasion the Rt. Rev. Levi Silliman Ives, as Episcopal bishop of North Carolina, ordained in this church the Rev. Donald Macleod, as a minister of the Episcopal church, and that not many years after they met again, both Roman Catholics, in this church, which had also like them become Roman Catholic.

Clergy: Rev. C. C. Pise, D.D., 1851-66; Rev. Joseph Franscioli, 1857-9; Rev. David O'Mullane, 1863-4; Rev. F. J. Free], D.D., 1866-9; Rev Thomas F. McGivern, 1866-9.

St. John's Church is situated on Twenty-first street and Fifth avenue. It was begun as early as 1851, but for some years had no settled pastor. Clergy: Rev. Peter McLoughlin, 1855-6; Rev. P. Maginn, 1856-7; Rev. P. McGovern, 1857-60; Rev. H. Maguire, 1863-9.

About 1850, a German church was begun on Montrose avenue as a mission from the Holy Trinity, and was sometimes known by that name. Clergy:

Rev. Maurice Ramsauer attended it in 1853-4; Rev. Bonaventure Keller in 1855-6.

St. Joseph's Church. This church, situated on Bedford avenue, between Pacific and Dean streets, was erected in 1852, and solemnly dedicated to divine worship by Archbishop Hughes in April, 1853, who delivered an able discourse on the occasion. Clergy: Rev. P. O'Neill, 1852-69; Rev. Edward Corcoran, 1864-9; Rev. Peter Kearney, 1867-9; Rev. William O'Donnell, 1868-9.

St. Mary's Star of the Sea. This church on Court street, at the corner of Luqueer, was erected chiefly through the exertions of Rev. Mr. Bacon, now bishop of Portland. It is about one hundred and fifty feet in length by seventy in width, and seats comfortably about one thousand eight hundred persons. The corner-stone was laid, July 17, 1854, Archbishop Hughes preaching on the occasion, and the church was dedicated April 29, 1855. Clergy: Rev. James McGinness, 1855-7; Rev. J. McKenna, 1855-8; Rev. Eugene Cassidy, 1857-69; Rev. Stephen Cassidy, 1858-61, died October 17 ; Rev. Thomas Taaffe, 1861-8 ; Rev. - Bohan, 1862-3; Rev. M. J. Goodwin, 1869.

St. Benedict's Church. This Roman Catholic church for Germans was dedicated September 4, 1853. It was on Flushing avenue. It is now on Herkimer street, near Ralph avenue. Its pastors have been: Rev. M. Ramsauer, 1855-6 ; Rev. Bonaventure Keller, 1856-8; Rev. A. Enders, 1857-8; Rev. Joseph Tuboly, 1858-63; Rev. T. Albrecht, 1861-2; Rev. F. Klosterbauer, 1863-9.

St. Malachi's Church. This church was begun in 1854, to accommodate the Roman Catholics of East Now York, now the 9th ward. It is a neat wooden structure, thirty-eight feet front, on Van Sicklin avenue, extending back fiftyeight feet, with a height of twenty-eight. Its cost was paid almost entirely by the congregation. Clergy : Rev. Andrew Bohan, 1854; Rev. P. Creighton, 1864-8; Rev. Michael Carroll, 1868-9.

St. Michael's. This German church is in East New York. Clergy: Rev. J. Piene, 1864-5; Rev. Casper Muller, 1866-9.

Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This church on Ewen street and Van Brunt, was begun in 1854, and dedicated October 29, 1855, by Bishop Loughlin. Clergy: Rev. Timothy O'Farrell, 1854-69; Rev. Edward Corcoran, 1863-4; Rev. John Cummings, 1865-6; Rev. Isaac Miguely Diaz, 1868-9.

Church of St. Boniface. In 1853 the Episcopal church of St. Thomas, at the corner of Willoughby and Bridge streets, was purchased by a German Catholic congregation, and was dedicated to Roman Catholic worship, under the title of Church of St. Boniface, January 29, 1854, by Bishop Loughlin. Its pastors have been: Rev. M. Ramsauer, 18556; Rev. B. Keller, 1857-8; Rev. Joseph Brunemann, 1858-9; Rev. John G. Hummel, 1859-64; Rev. Michael J. Decker, 1864-8; Rev. W. Oberschneider, 1868-9.

Church of St. Francis. This is another German church on Putnam avenue, begun in 1857, by the Rev. Bonaventure Keller, who attended it in that and the following year. It was then attended from the church of the Holy Trinity till 1866, when the Rev. N. Balleis was placed in charge and has since been pastor.

Church of Our Lady of Mercy. This church on Debevoise street, near DeKalb avenue, was begun in 1857. Its style is the mixed gothic, the material being brick with brown stone trimmings. It is one hundred and fifty feet deep and sixty-five feet in width, and has seating accommodations for one thousand nine hundred persons. The exterior of the building is exceedingly plain, but the interior in its handsome finish presents a remarkable contrast. It cost about $70,000, and was dedicated on the 7th of February, 1869. Clergy: Rev. John McCarthy, 1857-8; Rev. John McKenna, 1858-68; Rev. Bernard Gerrety, 1859-60; Rev. Martin Carroll, 1865-8; Rev. M. J. Goodwin, 1867-8; Rev. Thomas Taaffe, 1868-9; Rev. James McElroy, 1868-9.

Church of St. Anthony. About the year 1857, a Roman Catholic church of this title was commenced on India street, for the Catholics in that part of the city. It has ever since its establishment been under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Brady.

St. Peter's Church. A very handsome church of this name was begun in 1859, on the corner of Hicks and Warren streets. Including the parsonage, it is one hundred and sixty-eight feet deep, and has a front of sixtyfive feet. It is romanesque in style, and was erected under the direction of P. C. Keeley, architect. The interior is adorned with very fine frescoes by Francis Angelo and Marco Crescionim. The church was completed in one year by the zealous exertions of the pastor, Rev. Joseph Fransioli. Clergy: Rev. Joseph Fransioli, 1859-69; Rev. Arthur J. Dorris, 1864-6, Rev. Michael J. Goodwin, 1865-7; Rev. - Gualco, 1867-8; Rev. John H. Pollard, 1867-9; Rev. John A. Casella, 1868-9.

St. Anne's Church. On the 21st of August., 1860, the ground was broken for the erection of a Roman Catholic church on the south-west corner of Front and Gold streets. It is a brick edifice, sixty feet in front, on Front street, by one hundred and twenty-two, with a tower one hundred and thirty feet high. It was erected under the superintendence of Mr. P. C. Keeley, and cost $15,000, exclusive of the land. Clergy : Rev. Bartholomew Gleeson, 1863-9; Rev. Thomas Shanley, O.S.A., 1866-7; Rev. William McClosky, 1867-9.

Church of St. Vincent de Paul. About 1863, a church with this title was begun on North Sixth street, near Fifth street, under the direction of the Rev. Bernard McGorrisk. He was succeeded in 1865 by Rev. David O'Mullane, who with his assistant, Rev. Michael Moran, began preparations for erecting a more spacious and imposing church edifice. The work began June 2, 1868, the corner-stone of the new building was laid July 18, 1868, with imposing ceremonies. The church is gothic and built of Belleville gray stone, with Ohio stone trimmings, and is sixty-eight feet front by one hundred and fifty-six feet deep. It was dedicated Oct. 17, 1869, and will cost when completed, about $125,000. The architect was Mr. P. C. Keeley, it being the three hundred and eighty-fifth church on which lie had been engaged. Clergy: Rev. Bernard McGorrisk, 1863-6 ; Rev. David O'Mullane, 1865-9, Rev. Michael Moran, 1865-6; Rev. Thomas McNally, 1866-7; Rev. John Crimmin, 1867-9.

Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This German church on the corner of North Fifth and Seventh streets, began about 1863. Rev. John Hauptman, pastor.

St. Nicholas's Church. Under this title a church was erected in 1863, on the corner of Olive, and Powers streets. Rev. J. Peine, pastor, 1866-7.

St. Stephen's Church. On Carroll street, near Hicks, is this church, purchased from the Episcopalians in 1866. Clergy: Rev. A. J. Dorris, 1866-9: Rev. Louis Rhatigan, 1867-9; Rev. James Moran, 1869.

Church of All Saints. This church, on the corner of Throop avenue and Thornton street, was began in 1867. Pastor, Rev. Anthony Arnold, 1867-9.

Church of St Mary, Queen of the Isles. This church is on Willoughby avenue, between Lewis and Stuyvesant avenues, and was begun in 1868. Clergy: Rev. John Joseph Quigley, C. M., 1868-9; Rev. Edward M. Smith, C. M., 18689.

Church of Our Lady of Victory. In 1868, the site of a new Roman Catholic church was obtained on Throop avenue, between Macon and McDonough streets, and a temporary frame structure put up and dedicated to divine service July 26, 1868. The dimensions of this temporary structure are seventy feet by forty, with a height of fifty feet. Rev. P. Creighton, pastor, 1868-9.

Church of St. Louis, corner of Ewen and McKibben streets, E. D., is a plain frame structure, seventy-five by fortyfive feet, without much claim to architectural beauty, but commodious and well ventilated. Its cost was $25,000, and it was erected by the French Catholics of the Eastern District. It was dedicated July 18, 1869. Father Jollen, pastor.

Roman Catholic Institutions.

College of St. John the Baptist, attached to the church of the same name, corner of Lewis street and Willoughby avenue. This institution is to be open to all sects, and will sustain the same relation to Brooklyn as the Sixteenth Street College does to New York city. The church, at the head of which, are Rev. Fathers John Quigley, C. M., and Edward Smith, C. M., was commenced about July, 1868, in the rooms of the small frame dwelling of the pastor, and now numbers six hundred members, and they have a large frame meeting house on Willoughby avenue. Near it, and fronting on Lewis street is the college. This will be of brick, mounted with North River blue-stone, and will cost $43,000. The building will have a body and two wings, the body being of dimensions seventy-two feet by twentyseven feet, and the wings, one hundred and eighteen by sixty-one. It will be three stories high, with French roof and dormant windows. Its cornerstone was laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop Loughlin, on the 25th of July, 1869. The cost of the entire college, when completed and furnished, is estimated at $150,000; and when completed will be formally opened and placed under the charge of the members of the order of Lazarus, by whom the educational department is to be conducted. The architect of the building is P. C. Keeley.

Sisters of Charity. This well known order, founded in France by St. Vincent de Paul, was established in America by Mrs. Eliza Ann Seton, a native of the state of New York. The first house was at Emmitsburgh, Maryland, from which it has spread all over the United States.

In Brooklyn they have (since 1836), directed the Female Orphan Asylum, at the corner of Clinton and Congress streets, now containing five hundred and twenty-three orphans, Sister Constantia being the superior. They have also the direction of an Industrial School attended by one hundred and twenty-three girls, as well as the parish schools connected with St. Paul's church, containing two hundred and forty pupils, and at the Church of the Assumption with six hundred pupils.

In the summer of 1869, the corner-stone of a Female Orphan Asylum was laid, at the corner of Willoughby and Gates avenues, and it is designed to accommodate the girls until they are twelve years of age, when they are sent back to the establishment in Clinton street, where they are put to work certain hours of the day at the needle. The whole asylum is clothed by the work of these girls. The clothes are made by them, and the materials bought by the proceeds of the work which they do for the stores, and the work of the household, is done by the older girls. In this way the institution is mainly self-supporting, and its only other resources are the small portion of the amount the Board of Education appropriates to the orphan asylums of the city, and such collections as may be made in churches at Easter and Christmas for this purpose. The new institution will be built after the modern French style, with a stone basement and the remainder of brick, trimmed with Ohio and Belleville stone; with a frontage on Willoughby avenue of two hundred feet; at each end two wings eighty-five feet deep, and in the centre of the quadrangle, formed by the front and wings of the main building, will be erected a beautiful gothic chapel, separate and distinct from the main building, fifty by eighty-five feet, and finished in the most gorgeous style. When completed, this building will accommodate about eight hundred children, and will cost about $125,000. The building is to be completed within a year, and will be placed under the charge of the Sisters of Charity, now at St. Paul's church, in Court street.

St. Mary's Female Hospital, No. 153 Clinton street, founded in the year 1867, is also under the direction of the Sisters of St. Joseph. In less than six months after its opening, June 9, 1868, it received three hundred and eighteen patients.

Visitation Convent and Academy. This conventual establishment, on the corner of Johnson and Pearl streets, embraces also a young ladies academy of a high order, containing one hundred and twenty pupils.

The Visitation order was founded Annecy in Savoy, June 6, 1610, by St. Jane Frances do Chantal, a French widow lady, and grandmother of the celebrated Madame de Sevigne. The constitutions of the order were drawn up by St. Francis de Sales, the director of St. Jane. The first Visitation convent was formally established by Miss Alice Lalor and thirteen associates at Georgetown in the District of Columbia in 1813. The monastery in Brooklyn was founded September 24, 1855, by Mother Mary Juliana Mat, thews with six choir religious and two out sisters.

The habit worn by these ladies is very simple, black with long white sleeves; their veil is plain and black. They wear a black band over the forehead and a guimpe of white linen descending nearly to the waist without any fold. A silver cross on the breast and a black rosary in the girdle complete the attire. The superior is Mother Mary Liguori Wernig.

St. Francis of Assisium, Convent of the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters of Mercy are a recent order, founded in Ireland in 1827, by Catherine McAuIey, with a view especially of devoting themselves to the service of the sick and poor. The first house in the United States was that established at Pittsburgh in 1843. That of Brooklyn was founded in 1855, and numbers six professed and two lay sisters. The present superior is Mother Mary Vincent Haire. Their operations include many works beneficial to the community at large. They direct a select school for young ladies which has eighty pupils; a free school of two hundred pupils; an orphan asylum containing seventy orphans, and an industrial school in which sixty girls are taught and provided with employment.

Convent of the Sisters of St. Dominic. The order of St. Dominic was founded in 1216, by St. Dominic de Guzman and, if we are to believe the voyages of the Zeni brothers, had convents in Greenland in 1380. Their first establishment in the United States was in 1805. Not long after, a convent of Sisters of the third order of St. Dominic was established in Kentucky. The house in Brooklyn is, however, a filiation from a Bavarian convent and was established in 1852. It is situated on Montrose and Graham avenues. The superior is Sister Seraphina Staimer. The community consists of twentytwo professed, nine novices and six postulants.

Convents of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Sisters of St. Joseph were founded at Puy, October 15, 1650, by Father John Peter Medaille. They were introduced into the United States in 1836, by Bishop Rosati of St. Louis. The first house in Brooklyn was established in 1856. St. Mary's Convent, on Grand street near Graham avenue, has now as prioress, Sister Mary John. They direct an academy for young ladies with eighty pupils; and a free school with four hundred and twenty pupils.

St. Joseph's Academy of the same order, at No. 34 South Third street, has one hundred and fifty pupils, Sister Mary Baptista being superior. Their chief establishment on Long Island is at Flushing.

Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis. This community have a house at the corner of Warren and Hicks streets, Sister Hildegard being superior. They embrace seven professed sisters, four novices and three postulants. They devote themselves to the care of the sick and infirm, and have forty patients.

Brothers of the Christian Schools. This community, founded in France by the venerable De la Salle, was introduced into the United States in 1846. In Brooklyn they direct at St. James's Cathedral a parish school of four hundred and ten boys.

Monastery of St. Francis of Assisi. This institution at Nos. 19, 21, 23 Butler street, is occupied by the Franciscan Brothers, an order devoted to the cause of education. The community numbers nineteen professed brothers, thirteen novices, and sixteen postulants. Brother Jerome is the superior. The house was founded in 1860. They direct an academy with one hundred and seventy-five pupils at Nos. 22 and 24 East Baltic street, and direct parish schools in various parts of the city.

Little Sisters of the Poor. This modest conventual establishment, at No. 608 DeKalb avenue, is directed by seven sisters. The order was founded at St. Servan, France, in 1840, by two devoted women who consecrated their lives to the care of the aged poor. Their establishment in Brooklyn was begun in 1869, and it already occupies three houses. The sisters have no revenues, they depend on charity, and what they can collect. They receive anything that can be used for food or clothing, and in this way provide in health and sickness for their large dependent family.