BIRTH OF BISHOP CAMERON—IN HIGH FAVOUR AT ROME—VERY SUCCESSFUL STUDIES—HIS PATRIOTISM—HIS FIRST MISSION, STRATHDOWN—IN 1780 PRIN­CIPAL AT VALLADOLID—HIGHLY ESTEEMED—IN 1798 CONSECRATED BISHOP AT MADRID—SEVERAL YEARS IN SPAIN OFFICIATING AS BISHOP OF VALLADOLID—COMMISSION FROM COURT OF SPAIN REGARDING THE IRISH COLLEGE OF SALAMANCA—EVERYTHING SETTLED TO THE SATISFACTION OF ALL PARTIES—URGED BY THE COURT OF MADRID TO REMAIN AS A BISHOP IN SPAIN—RETURNS TO SCOTLAND—AT ONCE VICAR-APOSTOLIC OF THE LOWLAND DISTRICT—RESIDES AT EDINBURGH—RESULTS OF HIS LABOURS AND HIS PREACHING—GREAT ABILITY, EXTENSIVE LEARNING AND REFINED MANNERS—PUTS AN END TO A BANK PANIC—BUILDS ST. MARY’S CHURCH— SITE MOST JUDICIOUSLY CHOSEN—FOSTERS THE SEMINARY OF AQUORTIES— REV. ALEX. PATERSON, COADJUTOR—ON OCCASION OF THAT “CAUSE CELEBRE,” SCOTT VS. M’GAVIN, BISHOP CAMERON HONOURED BY THE JUDGES OF THE LAND—IN 1825 STRUCK WITH APOPLEXY—IN 1828 ILL AGAIN—IN FEBRUARY OF THI: SAME YEAR, A CALM AND PEACEFUL DEATH ENDED HIS BRIGHT CAREER BISHOP—AENEAS CHISHOLM COADJUTOR IN THE HIGH­LANDS—SUCCEEDS HIS BROTHER AS VICAR APOSTOLIC—DIED JULY 31ST 1818.

BISHOP CAMERON.
Auchindryne in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, was the birthplace of this distinguished Bishop. July 28th, 1747, was the date of his birth. His earlier studies were at Scalan; and philosophy and theology he studied at Rome. He enjoyed great favour in the Papal City not only on account of his great abilities, but also through the influence of Cardinal York. His parentage recommended him to this eminent member of the exiled Royal Family. In 1715 his father held a commission in the army that was raised in the interest of the Cardinal’s banished father; and in 1745, although unable to take the field himself, he sent two substitutes to serve in the army of Prince Charles. Mr. Cameron remained eight years at Rome, pursuing the higher branches of ecclesi­astical study. He was eminently successful; more so than all his class fellows. It is not, therefore, surprising that he won the first prizes, and that the Jesuits, who directed his studies, did all in their power to induce him to join their Society. Notwithstanding the length of time he was at Rome, he was only at the second year of his theology when the scarcity of missionary priests in Scotland required that he should be ordained and undertake duty in his native land. He was, accordingly, raised to the priesthood on the 2nd February, 1772, when he returned to Scotland and was appointed to the mission of Strathavon. There he laboured with great acceptance, gaining the good will and esteem of all, Protestants as well as Catholics, till 1700, when he was nominated Principal of the Scotch College at Valladolid by his predecessor in the Episcopacy, Bishop Hay. There, as in Rome, his superior talents and friendly manners won for him many friends, among whom were the chief characters of the ancient and still important city. Valladolid was then, and it is to-day, the Capital of old Castile. It is also the seat of an ancient and renowned University, of a Court of Chancery, and of a Bishop’s See.

There likewise is the residence of the Captain General of the Province. The opinion and advice of the Scotch rector were often sought and followed in affairs of public importance. On his arrival in Spain he knew not a word of the language of that country; but, under this disadvantage, his ability once more served him well; and he not only learned the Spanish tongue, but also acquired a thoroughly correct pronunciation, so that Spaniards themselves could not from his, speech, discover that he was a foreigner. The business of the College required that he should repair to Madrid. He was introduced there to the leading men at Court, and was by them cordially received, especially by Count Compamanes, Governor of the Council of Castile, who ever afterwards treated him with marked attention. In 1797, when the increasing infirmities of Bishop Geddes rendered him unable any longer to exercise his episcopal duties, Bishop Hay proposed Mr. Cameron to fill his place as coadjutor. Briefs appointing him to this office, with the title of Bishop of Maximianopopolis, were received on the 19th September of the year mentioned, and on 28th October, 1798, he was consecrated at Madrid. He remained in Spain for some years after his consecration; and, in compliance with the request of the aged and infirm Bishop of Valladolid, he performed, during the period of his stay, the whole episcopal duty of that diocese. While so acting he was commissioned by the Spanish Court to inquire into and settle very serious differences that had arisen between the rector and students of the Irish College in Salamanca. This commission he executed with consummate prudence and ability. After a patient investigation, he arranged everything to the complete satisfaction of the Court, of the rector, Dr. Curtis, Archbishop of Armagh, and of the students, many of whom afterwards signalized their zeal in the land of their nativity. In 1802, Mr. Cameron, although urged by the Court of Madrid to remain in Spain, returned to Scotland. The whole charge of the Lowland district at once fell to his share, Bishop Hay’s, infirmities obliging him to resign the office of Vicar-Apostolic. It is not surprising that in the midst of the troubles which surrounded him, he was wont to consider the years that he had passed in Spain as the happiest of his life, and that he often expressed his intention to return to that Catholic country and end his days in the Scotch College. He appeared, however, to have given up this idea some time before his death. He was frequently spoken of at Valladolid, and always in terms of well-deserved praise.

His residence was now at Edinburgh; and the Catholics of that capital and the country generally may well claim to date a new era from the day that he first appeared amongst them as their Bishop. He had indeed entered on a new and very different field from that in which he had hith­erto been called upon to act. There was no longer for him the Catholic nation and the friendly court. A cloud of hostile prejudice overhung his native land. The people, still untaught by all the experience they had passed through, cherished their ancient hatred of the Catholic faith. So great an evil, the enlightened Bishop was persuaded, could only be lessened, if not wholly remedied, by returning, not evil for evil, but, on the contrary, good for evil. To this task the wise pastor applied all his energy. Highly gifted as a preacher, he was indefatigable in spreading instruction. Such efforts were, in a great measure, confined to his parishioners. But through them, and by means of occasional attendance on the part of less bigoted Protestants, his preaching was so far effectual and light was made to shine in dark places. His personal demeanour was even more powerful than his eloquence. It conciliated for him goodwill in Scotland as it had done in Spain. Respect and admiration increased as his career wore on. His great ability, extensive learning and refined manners, brought him into relation with the higher circles of society and won their esteem, whilst, by rendering himself accessible to all, and by kindly dealing with them, he became a favourite with the more humble classes. The writer has heard the late Rev. Alex. Bade­noch relate a circumstance which shows how popular the Bishop had become at Edinburgh. There was a panic at the bank of his friend, Sir William Forbes. Hearing of it, he gathered up whatever money he could find about the house, and hastened to the bank. But eui, bono? The dense crowd of panic-struck depositors rendered all approach impossible. He succeeded in getting some one to listen to him. This person, on hearing that he was going to bank a few hundred pounds, told his next neighbours; and so it spread among the eager crowd. A way was made and it was seen by all that it was no other than Bishop Cameron who was going to place money in the bank. So prudent a man could not trust his money to a ruined bank. So thought the people; and the panic was at an end.

At the time of Bishop Cameron’s accession to office, the numbers and importance of the Cath­olic people had greatly outgrown their church accommodation. The churches, or chapels as they were called, were almost all of a very humble kind and not sufficiently large to accommodate the congregations that resorted to them. This was a serious hindrance to the growth and even the maintenance of religion. The Bishop laboured assiduously and with all the energy of his powerful mind to remedy this evil; and his success was all that could be expected at the time at which he lived. The Church of St. Mary, Edinburgh, at present in use as the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh in the restored hierarchy, shows with what judg­ment, good taste and perseverance he proceeded. The site for this church was admirably chosen near the fashionable dwellings of Picardy Place and York Place, the great highway from Edin­burgh to the Port of Leith and the important thoroughfare of Broughton Street. All this, notwith­standing, the Church was capable of being concealed. It was placed fronting Broughton Street, but so far back from it as to admit of a row of dwelling houses between it and the thoroughfare, in case of hostility arising. No such hostility as would have required this precaution ever occurred; and the open ground in front, itself an ornament, allows the handsome facade to be seen. The Bishop, anxious that the church should be in keeping with the improved architecture of the modern capital, had recourse to the services of an architect of known ability and taste, Mr. Gillespie Graham, than whom none was more thought of at the time. This accounts for the really church-like appearance of the edifice, of which it is not too much to say that it was an auspicious beginning of the still more ecclesiastical architecture that came into vogue through the genius and enthusiasm of Mr. Pugin.

Next to providing suitable churches, came the care of finding priests to minister in them. This care was not neglected by Bishop Cameron. In pursuance of it he paid the greatest attention to the Seminary of Aquorties. When the charge of that institution was laid upon him, as coadjutor, by his predecessor, who founded it in 1799, the latter earnestly besought him to watch over its interests. This admonition Bishop Cameron never lost sight of. He was wont to say that “Aquorties was the apple of his eye,” and his conduct in regard to it clearly showed that he spoke sincerely. He took care that the Seminary should have pious and learned professors; he furnished the library at great cost with the most useful and approved works, both ancient and modern; he gave special attention to the comfort of the students, and he laid out large sums of money in improving the farm. At last, when he resolved on resigning the charge of the district to a coadjutor, the idea of giving up the superintendence of Aquorties appeared to cost him more than anything else, so great was his solicitude for its welfare.

In 1815, desiring to have a coadjutor, he personally consulted each of the priests as to who should be chosen, and their choice, as well as his own, falling on the Rev. Alexander Paterson, at that time the priest of Paisley, this most worthy clergyman was nominated coadjutor and consecrated Bishop by Bishop Cameron the following year.

On occasion of the case, Scott vs. McGavin, it was shown how little Bishop Cameron trusted to the better feeling of the populace of large towns, and this was as late as the year 1821. Mr. Scott came to Edinburgh in order to consult the Bishop as to the expediency of prosecuting the man who had grossly calumniated him in a periodical of which the libeller was editor. The Bishop was opposed to prosecution on the ground that there was too much bigotry at Glasgow to find a jury that would convict, however clear the evidence. Mr. Scott represented that if he did not prosecute, he could not remain in Glasgow; and if a verdict could not be obtained, no worse consequence would ensue. Although the Bishop could not approve of bringing an action against the libeller, he did not forbid it to be done; and Mr. Scott proceeded with the case. Bigotry, notwithstanding, there existed, as there always does exist in the minds of the Scotch people, a sense of justice; and the jury unanimously found a verdict of guilty against the libeller. At the trial Bishop Cameron was examined as a witness. His evidence being concluded, Lord Gillies, the presiding judge, invited the Bishop, if he wished to remain in Court, to take a seat on the Bench. This was a compliment—a mark of honour—for which the excellent Bishop was not prepared. He was not, however, such a tyro in the ways of mankind as not to accept the learned judge’s politeness. There were extreme people in the Court of the calumniating editor’s persua­sion, who are said to have been horror-struck. The celebrated Lord Jeffrey was counsel for Mr. Scott; and distinguished himself by a singularly able speech.

In the closing years of his episcopal career Bishop Cameron was greatly impeded in the exercise of his sacred duties by serious illness. In 1825 he was seized with apoplexy. Few survive such attacks; and in his case it nearly proved fatal. Contrary to all expectation, however, he was soon convalescent; and had so far recovered from the effects of the shock, both as regarded his phys­ical strength and mental power, as to be able to interest himself, as was his wont, in the general affairs of the Vicariate, promoting with all his energy its welfare and prosperity. Three years later the end was seen to approach. On the 29th of January, 1828, he caught cold, as was supposed, and nothing worse was apprehended. But, on the following day, his physician, Dr. Ross, who thoroughly understood his constitution, declared him to be in imminent danger. He was better and worse alternately, for another month. But on the 7th February the great change unmistakably approached, and shortly before midnight of that date, he departed this life in peace, and to all appearance, with little or no painful struggle. He was surrounded till the last by faithful friends, and enjoyed all the consolation that religion could impart. His place of inter­ment was under the Gospel end of the altar of St. Mary’s Church, now the pro Cathedral of the Archdiocese of St. Andrew’s and Edinburgh. It is noteworthy, as indicating an improved state of popular sentiment, that the funeral was conducted publicly according to the rites of the Church. It was the first time that such a service, with the appropriate ceremonial, had been performed in Scotland since the “Reformation.”

Aeneas Chisholm was a native of Strathglass, Inverness-shire. Having completed his studies at Valladolid, he was ordained there in the year 1783. In May, 1785, he became one of the masters of that College; and from thence he was transferred, in 1786, to the College of Douai, where he filled the office of Prefect of Studies till the autumn of 1789, when he came to the mission of Scotland and was stationed in Strathglass. On the first of August, 1803, a postulation was despatched to Rome, praying that he should be appointed coadjutor to his brother, Bishop John Chisholm. In compliance with this request, Briefs nominating him Bishop of Diocesarea and coadjutor Vicar-Apostolic of the Highland district were expedited on the 19th of May, 1804. The scarcity of priests, however, rendered it necessary that he should do duty as a missionary till the 15th September, 1805, when he was consecrated by Bishop Cameron at Lismore. In 1814 he succeeded his brother as Vicar-Apostolic. His pontificate was not of long duration. There was hardly time to appreciate, as they deserved, his zeal and apostolic labours, when he died at Lismore on the 31st of July, 1818. He was, buried with appropriate funeral honours in the Island Cemetery.