CHURCHES (continuation)
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little difficult on account of the configuration of the ground to erect the Chapel, and next to that to build the large Printery.
II The house was indeed a castle of English type, designed according to the Tudor style, it had an imposing appearance with its angle turrets, battlements, and embrasures. The architect entrusted with the work of enlarging it had deemed it due to his professional reputation to harmonise the new with the old, and had given the additional buildings this style. However, he was induced to simplify certain ornamental details, but the appearance in its entirety was not less monumental than one could have desired and more than once Fr. Rousseille had to hear it said: "But you have built a castle there." But when several years later it was necessary to rebuild the old castle, which was threatening to fall into ruins, the work was carried out in a severe style from which purely fancy ornamentation was absent.
On January 2, 1895, the building of the Printery and the dwelling for the Chinese employees was commenced.
On June 3, Fr. Rousseille laid the first stone of the Chapel.
The work of further construction was pushed on actively. The years of exile were coming to an end, and at the beginning of December the community definitely quitted Richmond Terrace, and the new residence not being quite finished temporarily installed themselves at "Lucia Villa" next to "Douglas Castle." Finally, in 1896, came the resumption of the monastic life and customs according to the intentions of the founder. On May 24, that year Fr. Rousseille solemnly blessed the new building and the clock which had been installed and three days later the brethren left "Lucia Villa" to take up possession of their new home. It was necessary, however, to wait until the end of October for the inauguration of the Chapel. On the 27th of that month, by order of Mgr. Piazzoli, Vicar Apostolic of Hong Kong, Fr. Rousseille proceeded with the blessing of the new sanctuary, and the following day, the brethren for the first time celebrated Holy Mass at the twelve altars of the crypt.
The community comprised at that time Frs. Rousseille Superior, Beal, Batztelu, Monnier, and Guenbau, titular members; Frs. Desgodins (Tibet), Artif (Eastern Szechwan), Tessier (Southern Tonkin), Grosborne (Pondicherry), Desseaume (Western Cochin), and Combettes (Southern Tonkin).
And of these, to-day, Father Monnier yet lives in Hong Kong, old in years and in labour for the Mission and its objects.
By courtesy of a collector of old Hong Kong prints, I am able to publish a picture of a most interesting nature, a drawing of one of the oldest buildings ever erected in the Colony, being the Foundling Home and Hospital of the early German Mission.