ISLE OF REST

The Reverend Mr.Slattery retired in 1907 to Ireland.

The people of St.John's wished to make him a handsome gift, in money, for his 25 years of effort, his teaching at St Bonaventure's College, his founding of Mount Cashel Orphanage.   They were prevented by his vow of poverty.

Donations were limited to 50 cents, per man or woman.   This collection went to buy a fine silver watch, the best of its kind, inscribed with his name and engraved with a representation of Mount Cashel Orphanage.   A memento.  Not an affront to a vow of poverty.

The Reverend Mr.Slattery replied with thanks at the presentation ceremony, saying that he would sit sometimes on a green Irish hillside, his eyes following the sun westward, thinking of his friends in Newfoundland. In fact, Mr  Slattery did not trust himself to reply without unseemly displays of emotion. He prepared an address ahead of time and had a friend read it aloud He remained silent.

And that was that.  Mount Cashel began well.