The Apparitions and Miracles at Knock; also, the Official Depositions of the Eye-witnesses

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The Parish Priest.
Leaving him, we drove to the cottage of the parish priest
and found him in his garden, whither he had gone, perhaps,
for relaxation after getting through the multitude of letters
that reach him by every post. Archdeacon Cavanagh is re
puted along all the country side as a man of simple piety,
gentle manners, and a modest and retiring disposition. This
character is justified by his appearance ; he at once makes a
favourable impression, and is about the last man in the world
whom a stranger would look upon and suspect of anything
but straightforward, honest conduct. The very reverend
gentleman gave his visitors a cordial welcome, and soon, in
the little parlour of the cottage, I heard all that he could tell
about the visions and miracles, in which he believes with un
questioning and reverent faith. As to the visions, the Arch
deacon said, in effect : " On the night of the first Apparition
my housekeeper asked leave to visit a friend, and remained
out unusually late. While wondering what had become of
her, she made her appearance in a very excited state, exclaim
ing : ' Oh ! your reverence, the wonderful and beautiful
sight ! The Blessed Virgin has appeared up at the chapel,
with St. Joseph and St. John, and we have stood looking at
them this long time. Oh ! the wonderful sight !' Inferring
that the vision had disappeared, and omitting to question my
housekeeper on that point, I did not go up, and I have re
gretted ever since that I omitted to do so. On another
occasion a messenger was sent down to fetch me : I was in
bed after a fatiguing day, and, having a prospect of hard
work on the morrow, did not rise."—This manifestly appears
as a triumph of the flesh over the spirit.—" I shall ever feel
sorry that a sight of the Apparitions has been denied me, but
God may will that the testimony to his Blessed Mother's