Sometimes referred to in newspaper reports by the name Dowling.

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Consecration of the Right Rev. Dr. Wiseman, Australasian Chronicle, Sydney, 3 December 1840, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31730027:

Rome, Monday, June 8—The august ceremony of the consecration of a Catholic bishop, always deeply interesting, was peculiarly so this morning, when the learned and justly celebrated Dr. Wiseman was raised to the episcopal dignity, to be sent forth on the apostolic mission from Rome to Protestant England—a second Augustine sent by another Gregory—the first the planter, the second the restorer of the same divine, unchanged, and unchangeable religion. The ceremony was very appropriately performed by the venerable Prefect of the Propaganda, Cardinal Franzoni, and also most appropriately in the chapel of the English College, of which Dr. Wiseman has long been so distinguished as the rector. [...]

Among other distinguished ecclesiastics present I noticed the Rev. Dr. Baggs, the Rev. Dr. Errington, the Very Rev. Mr. Loftus, the Rev. Mr. Ennis, the Rev. Dr. MacPherson, of the Scotch College, the Rev. Mr. Thomson, the Rev. Mr. Downing, O. S. A., [...]

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Establishment of a College in Ireland for the Foreign Missions [All Hallows College], Australasian Chronicle, Sydney, 1 October 1842, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31737393:

A number of Catholic clergymen, having seriously considered the great want of missionaries throughout all the foreign missions, as well as the abundant means which the faithful possess of supplying that want, have proposed to establish a college at Dublin for the express purpose of educating priests for these missions. [...]

Rev. Mr. Hand and Rev. Mr. O'Reilly, two of the priests associated in this undertaking, are now in Rome, and will thankfully receive subscriptions, as also donations of books, paintings, sacred vessels, and other ornaments for the college. Any commands addressed to them, at their residence, Madonna del Pascolo, will be gratefully acknowledged.

Subscriptions and donations towards the same object will be received in like manner by his Eminence Cardinal Acton, Monsieur Cullen, rector of the Irish College; Very Rev. Father Reynolds, guardian of S. Isidore; Very Rev Father Downing, guardian of S. Maria in Posternia [Posterula]; Very Rev. Abbate Palotta, Chiesa dello Spirito Santo de Napolitani.

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Shipping Intelligence. Melbourne. Arrived, Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer, 10 August 1852, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91930192:

John William Dare, barque, from Hobart. Passengers— [...] Rev. Mr Downing, [...]

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News from the Diggings, The Banner, Melbourne, 14 March 1854, p 15, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article179812238:

[...] Church of Rome.—The Rev. Mathew Downing officiates at the Catholic chapel every Sunday at eleven o’clock. [...]

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Ballarat, Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer, 5 July 1854, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91931318:

[...] The Roman Catholic Church, though confined, I believe, to one chapel on Ballarat, has done great things. Rev. Mr. Downing (to whom, last week, over £200 was presented, with an address, on the eve of his reported departure from us,) has succeeded in getting up a commodious chapel, and gathering a large congregation together. [...]

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Public Meeting of the Roman Catholics of Ballarat, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 15 July 1854, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115555771:

A numerous and respectable public meeting was held in the Catholic Chapel on last Sunday by the Catholics of this district, for the purpose of presenting the Rev. Mr. Downing, the Roman Catholic clergyman, with a testimonial previous to his departure from the present sphere of his ministration, and also for the purpose of drawing up and presenting to the Bishop an address, praying his lordship to countermand the order for his removal. Notwithstanding that it rained incessantly from an early hour in the morning till late in the afternoon, and that the intelligence did not reach Ballarat till the Thursday previous, the meeting was numerously attended. The deep sorrow and regret manifested on this occasion by his own flock and the regret which the lovers of order and harmony, of whatever denomination of Christians, must feel, is not to be wondered at, when the amount of good the reverend gentleman has achieved is borne in mind. Nineteen months ago, when the Rev. Mr. Downing arrived at the Brown Hill (and, bye the bye, had not a tent in which to put his head when he did arrive), drinking, fighting and gambling were the order of the day, the Sunday more especially. He collected together his scattered flock, built a respectable church, and formed a large congregation—creating order from chaos. Subsequently he shifted from the Brown Hill to the Gravel Pits, the present site of the Catholic Chapel—the largest of any house of worship on any of the gold fields of the Colony, and erected at a cost of £800, a sum contributed solely by himself and his flock. Sixteen months ago he got the authorities here to survey off a large piece of land at the back of the township as a burying ground, and on his last visit to Melbourne procured a grant of £500 from the Colonial Secretary, for the purpose of fencing it in; together with a grant of £320 for the improvement of the chapel and fittings for a school-house. In connection with the chapel he has established a school, which when the Denominational Board will have supplied materials and apparatus, will be second no none in the colony. When the Eureka men would sometimes grow rather wild and untameable, the Rev. Mr. Downing could make them as so many lambs, and has done more, on more occasions than one, to preserve the peace on Ballarat—the Eureka especially—than all the commissioners and police put together. No wonder then, that his probable removal from Ballarat is so deeply regretted ; the wonder we should imagine, ought to be, if the Bishop does not accede to the very reasonable and respectful prayer of the address.

After Divine Service the people formed themselves into a meeting, when Mr. T. Hayes proposed, and Mr. J. Manning seconded, that Mr. P. Bolger, merchant, residing on the Township, take the chair.

The first resolution proposed by Mr. T. Hayes, and seconded by Mr. Sheehan, that the Rev. Matthew Downing, having been eminently successful in getting up a large and substantial church, aud by his constant attendance, and strict attention, having collected together a very numerous congregation, we deeply regret his removal from amongst us.—Mr. T. Hayes, in a brief but effective speech, supported the proposition, which passed nem. con.

The second resolution, proposed by Dr. Johnson, and seconded by Mr. Shanahan, that the Rev. Mr. Downing having used his best exertions to put down all party dissensions and having ever preached peace and brotherly love towards all denominations, we hereby express our deep-felt gratitude for his great success in so praiseworthy an object.

Dr. Johnston, a Protestant gentleman was warmly received, and, though labouring under a severe cold, supported this resolution in a telling speech of considerable length. Unanimously adopted.

The third resolution, proposed by Mr. Sweeney, Government Auctioneer on Ballarat, and seconded by Mr. John Power, that a committee be formed, with power to add to their number, in order to draw up an appropriate address and present the Rev. Mr. Downing, with a substantial token of the digger's gratitude.

This resolution could not have fallen into better hands. The business-man was paramount throughout in Mr. Sweeney's address in support of the resolution, and the business part of the proceedings in this instance, was spoken to with the same spirit and energy, which characterises his eloquence in wielding the professional hammer, which by the bye, was never wielded with more integrity;— the resolution was unanimously adopted.

The Fourth Resolution, proposed by Mr. Curtain and seconded by Mr. Muphy: "That an address be drawn up and forwarded to the Bishop, the Right Rev. Doctor Gould, praying his lordship to countermand the order for the removal of the Rev. Mr. Downing from amongst us, and expressing the greatest obligation his lordship would confer on the Catholics of this district by permitting his Reverence to remain amongst them. Unanimously adopted.

A subscription was opened on the spot when the sum of £36 was in a few minutes handed in. Many of the people present were loud in their complaints at not having received any previous intention of the matter, and consequently had come unprepared ; but they were told that the subscription lists would be opened till next Sunday (to-morrow) evening, and that this must obviate all inconvenience and unnecessary hurry. Mr Tower proposed that Mr. Bo]ger vacate, and Mr. Johnson take the chair, when a vote of thanks was passed on Mr. Bolger, for the able and efficient manner in which he discharged his duties as chairman, and the meeting separated.

In accordance with the fourth resolution the address to the Right Rev. Dr. Gould has been drawn up and forwarded to his lordship, and as next Tuesday is the day on which the Rev. Mr Downing purposes to take his departure, great anxiety is felt as to the receipt of the Bishop's reply. We shall be enabled to give further particulars in our next. Ballarat Times, June 24th.

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Ballaarat. (From Our Special Correspondent.) Per Express. Serious Outbreak at Ballaarat, The Argus, Melbourne, 2 December 1854, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4801183:

[...] Right Rev. Bishop Goold, and Rev, Mr. Downing, came from Melbourne yesterday. So urgent did they consider their business that, I understand, they had travelled all the night previous. After their arrival, Rev Mr. Downing and the Rev. Mr. Smith [Patrick Smyth] tried to persuade both the committee and the meeting to give up the intended burning of the licenses, but without avail. The amendment to resolution three had scarcely a favorer.

If I understand aright, this deputation came up at the instigation of the Government, which wished them to use their influence and prevent the hurrying on of the crisis which nears, now that the licenses are burned. The number of licenses already burned is pretty large; the next license hunting day is the one on which all eyes are at present centred.

During the earlier portion of the meeting, and for some time, the military under arms were posted in the gully beneath the camp, and all the other force was under arms in the camp. The Rev. Mr. Smith and Mr. Kennedy went over at the request of the committee, and wished the military to be withdrawn from the sight of the meeting, as there was no real use for the display, and that many felt irritated at such an open parade of power.[...]

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St. Vincent de Paul's Orphanage, Emerald Hill, The Argus, Melbourne, 14 July 1855, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4812078:

An admirable site on Emerald Hill having been recently reserved by the Government for the purposes of a Catholic Orphanage, it is intended, in order to satisfy a want in that respect felt for a considerable time past, to erect a suitable and respectable building there. [...]

The following sums have already been received towards St. Vincent de Paul's Orphanage Building Fund. [...]
Rev. M. Downing, £8

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Notice, The Argus, Melbourne, 2 February 1858, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7145962:

To Persons having Claims on the R.C. Orphanage of St. Vincent de Paul, Emerald Hill.—All persons having Claims on the above Orphanage are hereby requested to send in the same to the Rev. Matthew Downing, St. Francis Presbytery, on or before the 10th of this month. Any claims sent in after that date will not be acknowledged.
J. Barry, D.D., Secretary.

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The Argus, Melbourne, 27 August 1860, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5688672:

At 11 o'clock mass yesterday, in St. Francis's Church, a sermon was preached by the Very Rev. Dr. Shiel (Ballarat), towards defraying the expenses incurred in the maintenance of St. Vincent de Paul's Orphanage. The very rev. gentleman took his text from the Gospel of St. Luke, upon which he delivered a forcible discourse, and pleaded successfully for the poor orphans. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Melbourne, attended by his chaplain, the Rev. W. M. Finn, was present. The Rev. Mr. Downing, who has the special charge of the orphanage, was the celebrant of the mass. The children, to the number of 90, both male and female, who arrived per train from Emerald Hill, occupied the position assigned to them in front of the altar. The collection amounted to £70.

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The Age, Melbourne, 30 November 1860, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154883520:

The Committee of the St. Vincent de Paul's Orphanage have to return thanks to the following clergymen for the sums collected by them in their respective districts:— [...] Very Rev. M. Downing, Keilor, £79 13s.; [...]

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Town Talk, The Herald, Melbourne, 14 June 1861, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244245627:

Yesterday a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Kernan, Cooke and Dodds, waited on the Rev. Matthew Downing, R.C. clergyman, at his residence at Williamstown, and presented him with a purse containing 100 sovereigns and a suitable address from his late parishioners at Keilor, Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Deep Creek, and the surrounding district as a mark of their esteem for his past services whilst ministering amongst them for the last seven years.

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Geelong Advertiser, 6 September 1864, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150464999:

The Rev Mr Dowling, transferred from Williamstown to Geelong, has been created a Dean. The Rev Mr Riordan succeeds the Very Rev Dean Dowling at Williamstown.

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The Argus, Melbourne, 7 September 1864, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5742711:

The Rev. M. Dowling, Roman Catholic priest of Williamstown, lately transferred to Geelong, vice the Very Rev. Dean Hayes, removed to Sandhurst, has been created a dean.

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The War in America, The Cornwall Chronicle, Launceston, 14 September 1864, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66459730:

The following is extracted from a New York paper, dated June 4th. The Argus says, it "will no doubt be interesting to our readers, particularly so, when they are informed that the gallant young officer referred to was a nephew of the Rev. M. Downing, the Catholic Clergyman at Williamstown." — "On Sunday last the funeral procession of this gallant Irish-American (who died from the effects of a wound received at Spottsylvania while bravely leading his company into action on the 6th of May) took place, from the armoury of the 2nd Regiment, N.G.S.N.Y., where his remains had been lying in state from the day previous. [...]

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The Late Rev. Robert Simon Downing, O.S.A., Williamstown Chronicle, 1 June 1867, p 6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68570387:

[Communicated.]
On yesterday, in St. Mary's Church, at 10 o'clock, a.m., a large number of the Catholic clergymen of Victoria attended the office and Requim Mass offered up for the repose of the soul of the late Rev. Robert Simon Downing, who died in Cork, on the 22nd of Feb, 1867, in the 49th year of his age. The deceased clergyman was a brother of our venerable fellow citizen the Very Rev. Mathew Downing, of St. Mary's. The deceased, some years ago, was attached to the Mission of Geelong, and was endeared to a large circle of friends, who witnessed his professional zeal and his qualities of head and heart. [...]

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The Argus, Melbourne, 24 February 1869, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5815001:

The Very Rev. Dean Dowling (Roman Catholic), of Geelong, has been appointed archdeacon of the diocese.

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Current Topics, Geelong Advertiser, 14 May 1870, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148795438:

Our readers will much regret to learn that that highly esteemed gentleman, the Very Rev. Archdeacon Downing, is very unwell. On Tuesday, feeling exceedingly weak, the rev. gentleman called in Dr. Walshe, who subsequently held a consultation with Dr. Reid. The Arch- deacon was found to be paralysed from the hips downwards, and on Wednesday and Thursday it was feared that his life was in danger, and a telegram was sent to the Rev. Father Hoyne, who lost no time in obeying the summons. Last evening the reverend gentleman was decidedly better, and sincere are the hopes that he will recover from the attack. The poor of Geelong can ill afford to lose so warm-hearted a friend.

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Town Talk, Geelong Advertiser, 8 June 1870, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148796011:

The Very. Rev. Archdeacon Downing is now on a visit to the Rev. Father Neylon, at Mount Moriac. His health, we are sorry to say, still continues very indifferent.

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Shipping. Arrived. December 2, Weekly Times, Melbourne, 3 December 1870, p 13, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page23204807:

Southern Cross, s., 342 tons, E Lucas, from Hobart Town 30th November. Passengers—cabin: [...] Rev. Mr. Downing [...]

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Telegraphic Despatches, The Mercury, Hobart, 6 December 1870, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8863601:

[...] The Rev. Archdeacon Downing, of Geelong, died yesterday. He had only returned by last trip of the Southern Cross from Hobart Town, where he had gone for the benefit of his health.

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News of the Day, The Age, Melbourne, 6 December 1870, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189331647:

The Very Rev. Dean Downing expired at his residence, St. Mary's Presbytery, Geelong, on Sunday evening, about ten o'clock. The deceased dignitary had been ailing for some years, and had undergone a severe surgical operation some time since. It was thought by his medical advisers that change of air and a bracing climate might go far to restore in some degree his shattered constitution. To this end the rev. gentleman occasionally took trips to various localities, his last being to Tasmania. The return voyage in the Derwent was unusually stormy, and brought on sea sickness of the most exhausting nature, which resulted in strangulated hernia, necessitating an operation of peculiar danger and difficulty, under which the rev. gentleman's constitution broke down, and death ensued. The deceased was highly esteemed by men of every creed: his unostentatious liberality and charity made his name "familiar in the mouth as a household word." The dean had arrived at the ripe age of threescore years. His loss will be severely felt by the poor, to whom his charity was liberal as the rain. High mass will be celebrated this day, at eleven a.m., and the funeral procession will start from St. Mary's at half-past two p.m. ---

Death of Dean Downing, The Ballarat Star, 6 December 1870, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197558606:

When the announcement reached Ballarat, on Monday, that the Very Reverend Dean Downing had died at Geelong on Sunday night deep regret was felt by all who had known the deceased gentlemen during his long career in this colony. His many virtues were being discussed everywhere on Monday, and such an interest seems to be attached to his doings in Victoria that we propose to give a short sketch of his life here. Dean Downing was 61 years of age when he died. His birthplace was Kenmare, Kerry, Ireland. He took orders as a priest at the age of about 24, and was soon after a superior of the Augustinian order at Naples, where he remained for six years. He then returned to Cork and was superior of the same order there for two years, after which he went to Port Arthur, Tasmania, and officiated there for nearly ten years at the convict settlement. He came to Victoria in 1852, and almost immediately came to Ballarat, pitching his tent at the Brown Hill diggings, near the present site of the Brown Hill toll-gate. He was the first priest at Ballarat, and as the lead was worked down towards the Ballarat of the present day, he moved down with the population. He next moved his tent to a spot now crossed by the Melbourne road, and exactly opposite the Roman Catholic Presbytery. When the road was surveyed, he had a wooden house erected close to where his tent had stood, and he then chose the site of the present Melbourne road Catholic Church and presbytery. At his own request he was, shortly before the Eureka Stockade outbreak, removed to Keilor, and from Keilor he went to Williamstown, where he remained until 1865; and the July of that year he went to Geelong, where he succeeded Dean Hayes. After the Roman Catholic Bishop's return from Rome in 1868, the deceased gentleman was created Archdeacon of the Diocese of Geelong. Since this time his delicate state of health often rendered change of air necessary, and he made one or two trips to different parts of the colony and to Tasmania. A rough voyage from Tasmania lately, is said to have been the cause of a serious return of illness, which led to death. Dean Downing was often heard to say that when he came first to the Ballarat diggings there was only one woman here, and he used to tell some funny stories about himself and his little canvas church at Brown Hill. Once, he used to tell his friends, in the old digger-hunting days before the Stockade, he took off his coat and shouldered a spade to dig a trench near his tent to carry off the water. While he was at work, a trooper bailed him up and demanded his license, but, of course, after a little explanation, he was left alone. Once he got bushed in the scrub about the Brown Hill, and only found his way to the settlement after a good deal of difficulty and wandering. At another time he got into a water hole at White Flat in the darkness, and narrowly escaped losing his life. During the Eureka Stockade out break the Colonial Secretary, Mr Foster, sent for Dean Downing, knowing his great influence among the diggers. The rev. gentleman, who had only just left Ballarat, at once returned at this call, and used his influence to good purpose in trying to pacify men whose wrongs had turned them to defy the laws. We believe he was mainly instrumental in the erection of the church at Buninyong, and had the bricks specially prepared for the purpose. He was liberal to a fault, and such was his liberality that, to use the words of many of his friends, he never had a penny in his pocket, and would beg and borrow to assist in any benevolent or charitable purpose. At Keilor he raised the money to build the church, and superintended the laying out of the grounds. He was chiefly instrumental in raising the funds to build St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, at Ashby, Geelong, and St. Mary’s at the same place. Twelve months ago he pledged himself to have St. Mary’s finished, and he lived to see nearly all the masonry completed. By his exertions the Catholic Orphanage at Geelong was increased to three times its former size. He was a true father to the orphans there, and by his death they have lost a benefactor, who would have worked until his last hour and spent his last shilling for their good. We can only conclude this short notice of Dean Downing’s career in the colonies, by saying that his charitable nature and kindness of disposition, will make his memory dear to all who knew him. We take the following from Monday’s Geelong Advertiser:—“We deeply regret to have to record the death of the Venerable Dean Downing, who has so long been associated with St. Mary's and with the Roman Catholic community in this portion of the colony. It has been known for a long time past that Father Downing, as he was affectionately and familiarly called by all sections of the community, was in a very indifferent state of health. He had undergone at least one operation, and it had been found necessary that he should make frequent visits to other parts of the colony, for the benefit which his health might derive from new scenes, new associations, and change of air. The last of these trips was to Tasmania, where his health appeared to recruit very considerably. On his return to this colony a few days ago, however, he had the misfortune to encounter a very stormy voyage by the Derwent. The result was a serious return of illness, which became so severe that Drs Reid and Walsh, in consultation, found it necessary to resort, as a last endeavor to save a precious life, to a perilous operation for strangulated hernia. This was most successfully performed by Dr Reid, in the presence of Dr Walsh, but the constitution of the venerable father had been too much reduced by his previous sufferings, and his system was unable to stand the shock. Dr Reid was apprehensive of fatal consequences, aud these ensued sooner than he thought, for the patient died peacefully last night at half-past ten o’clock. The dean was in his sixtieth year. Few men have ever exhibited a more Christian spirit. His charities were bounded only by his power to satisfy his desires to assist those who deserved a helping hand, and in him the poor have lost a most sympathising friend."

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The Late Very Rev. Dean Downing, The Herald, Melbourne, 7 December 1870, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244718699:

At Geelong yesterday the funeral of the late Very Rev. Dean Downing took place with the imposing rites usual upon the interment of a dignitary of the Catholic Church. High mass was performed at St. Mary's Cathedral, Yarra-street, after which a procession was formed, as follows:—Acolytes bearing the cross ; boys and girls of the Catholic Orphanage, to the number of 92 ; boys and girls of the Catholic School, numbering 316; a body of police in uniform, and numbering about 40, under the charge of Superintendent Bookey and Sergeant McSweeney ; 120 members of the St. Patrick's Society, after whom came the hearse, three mourning, and four private carriages. On arriving at the hospital the inmates who were able to do so mustered in front of the building as a final mark of respect to the remains of him who had been a true friend to them all. Over 100 inhabitants and at least 70 private carriages and other vehicles, as well as a number of gentlemen on horseback, terminated the sorrowful cortege.

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Victoria. Death Of Archdeacon Downing, Advocate, Melbourne, 10 December 1870, pp 11-12, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article170152127:

We deeply deplore that we have to announce the death of the Venerable Matthew Downing O S.A., of Geelong, which took place at St. Mary's Presbytery on Sunday night. Foremost amongst the human agencies which have contributed so much to the progress of the Catholic Church in this hemisphere stand the virtues and zeal of her dignitaries, and for their high qualities no one of them has been more distinguished than the venerable gentleman whose death it is our painful duty to record. For many years he has laboured in this mission ; for part of the time at Keilor and Ballarat. But before his arrival in Victoria he was employed in Tasmania, which colony he left, to the great regret of numerous friends and of the Catholic community generally. During the last few years his health has been bad, and occasionally caused alarm to his friends. He was suffering from a complaint which is both dangerous and exceedingly painful, but the sufferings incidental to it he bore with Christian fortitude and resignation. Some short time since he paid a visit to Tasmania, on the recommendation of his medical advisers, and the many friends who were solicitous for his recovery rejoiced to perceive that he had derived some benefit from change of air and scenery. But the return voyage was rather protracted, as well as inclement, and by this trial the benefits derived from change of scene were in some degree lost. It soon became evident that the rev. gentleman had relapsed into his former critical state of health, and a dangerous operation, which it was hoped might be avoided, now became absolutely necessary as the only chance of prolonging the archdeacon's life. The operation was for hernia, and was performed successfully, but Dean Downing succumbed, and prostration succeeded. Of such a life as his, which was remarkable for all the good it conferred upon all who came within his influence, many testimonies might be found ; but it will be sufficient to say that he laboured in his vocation with prudence, with zeal, and an abounding charity, and that his good works meet with an ample reward. By the Catholic community of Geelong his death is deplored as that of a wise counsellor, a prudent and generous friend; and the void which is left in his numerous circle of friends cannot be filled by one so much beloved or more worthy of friendship. The service he has done for this young Church of Australia will survive for all time, enlarging yearly, and thus increasing the claim his memory has upon the gratitude of the Catholic community. We have much pleasure in adding a local tribute to his memory paid by the Geelong Advertiser:—"The Dean was in his sixtieth year. Few men have ever exhibited a more Christian spirit. His charities were bounded only by his power to satisfy his desires to assist those who deserved a helping hand, and in him the poor have lost a most sympathising friend."—R.I.P.

A few particulars respecting the life of one who was so generally and universally beloved, will be read with interest by the readers of The Advocate. The venerable gentleman was in his 59th year. He was born at Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland, in 1821, and at a very early age entered the noviciate of the Augustinian Convent at Grantown, in the county of Waterford. He went thence to Naples to complete his studies, and was there when the cholera broke out in 1836 or 1837. The master passion of charity, which so distinguished him in after life, here manifested itself in a marvellous degree, and had a wide field afforded it for exercise. Father Downing's labours were unceasing ; he never tired, and not only did he devote his whole time to the consolation and spiritual succour of the stricken, but he deprived himself even of decent apparel, in order to relieve the temporal necessities of the poor, as far as his power permitted him. Such was the admiration which his noble and heroic conduct during the fearful epidemic elicited from the public that the King of Naples sent a special messenger to the convent to which Father Downing belonged, to thank the community and Dr. Downing himself on his exertions during the plague. In 1839 he went to Rome where he was appointed Prior of the Irish Augustinian Convent called the Posterula. While there he became a great favorite with the reigning Pontiff, Gregory XVI., with whom he had frequent intercourse of a familiar nature, and from whom he received a special compliment on the management of his convent. He afterwards returned to Ireland, and was appointed Prior of the house of his Order at Dungarvan, in the county of Waterford. We next find him presiding over the Augustinian Convent in Brunswick-street, Cork, which he left for Tasmania in 1849. He officiated at the Port Arthur convict settlement till 1852, when he came to Victoria. He at once settled down at Ballarat, where he was the first priest. He pitched his tent at the Brown Hill diggings, near the present site of the Brown Hill toll- gate. The lead was worked towards the Ballarat of the present day, and he moved with the population. He next moved his quarters to a site now crossed by the Melbourne road, and opposite the Catholic Presbytery. When the road was surveyed he erected a wooden house close to where his tent had stood. He then chose the site of St. Patrick's Church and Presbytery in Sturt-street. Shortly before the Eureka Stockade he was removed at his own request to Keilor, and from Keilor he went to Williamstown, where he remained till 1865. In the July of that year he went to Geelong where he succeeded Dean Hayes. After the return of Dr. Goold from Rome in 1868, Father Downing was appointed Archdeacon of the diocese. The venerable gentleman's labours in every scene of his ministrations were untiring and most successful. At Keilor he built the Catholic Church, and superintended the laying out of the grounds He was chiefly instrumental in raising the funds to build SS. Peter and Paul's Church, at Ashby, Geelong, and St. Mary's, at the same place. Twelve months ago he pledged himself to have St. Mary's finished, and he lived to see nearly all the masonry completed. The Catholic Orphanage of Geelong was increased to three times its former size through his exertions. He was mainly instrumental in the erection of the Church at Buninyong.

The Funeral of the Archdeacon

We take the following account of the funeral of the lamented Archdeacon from the Geelong Advertiser;—
The funeral of the late Venerable Archdeacon Downing took place on Tuesday, in the Roman Catholic portion of the Old Cemetery, and perhaps on no previous occasion was a more general feeling of sorrow and regret exhibited by all ranks and classes of the people of Geelong and its neighbourhood. Scarcely any other subject was spoken of ; the shops and other places of business along the whole line of the funeral procession were wholly or partially closed, flags waved half mast high from all the public and many private buildings, and the streets through which the mournful procession passed were lined with crowds of both sexes. The remains of the Venerable Father had been placed in St. Mary's Church, where he had so long and successfully officiated, on the previous evening, and at ten o'clock on Tuesday morning the solemn requiem and High Mass for the repose of the soul of the dead was commenced, the church being crowded with worshippers, and the friends of the deceased servant of God, many of whom were not connected with the congregation. The Mass was celebrated by the Rev. H. England, of Melbourne ; the Rev. J. F. Corbett, St. Kilda, was deacon ; the Rev. J. D. O'Sullivan, sub-deacon ; and the Rev. M. Nelan, master of ceremonies. The chanting of the service was magnificently performed by the Rev. G. V. Barry and the Rev. Dr. Barsanti, O.S.F.; and at its conclusion Pope's beautiful ode, "What is Life," was sung very sweetly by the choir. The benediction at the catafalque was pronounced by the Very Rev. Dr. Fitzpatrick, the Vicar-General, who presided. The following were the reverend gentlemen who took part in the proceedings—a list which includes nearly all the Roman Catholic clergymen stationed within a reasonable distance of Geelong:—The Very Rev. Dr. Fitzpatrick, V.G.; the Very Rev. J. Dalton, S.J. ; Very Rev. Dean Moore, Ballarat; Very Rev. Dr. Backhaus, Sandhurst; the Rev. Charles O'Hea, O.S.F., Coburg ; the Rev. Henry Allen, Castlemaine; the Rev. J. O 'Driscoll, Emerald Hill; the Rev. R. F. X. Fenelly, Carisbrook ; the Rev. M. Nelan, Mount Moriac ; the Rev. P. Cavanagh, Sandhurst ; the Rev. G. V. Barry, St. Francis', Melbourne ; the Rev. D. Barry, Kilmore ; the Rev. J. F. Corbett, St. Kilda ; the Rev. W. Kelly, S.J., St. Patrick's College, Melbourne ; the. Rev. J. Mulhall, S.J., St. Patrick's College; the Rev. Father Kranewitter, S.J., Richmond ; the Rev. P. J. Slattery, Daylesford ; the Rev. J. Hoyne Keilor; the Rev. J. Fitzgerald, Mortlake; the Rev. J. Dwyer, O.S B., Sydney ; the Rev. Father Moore, Inglewood ; the Rev. J. D. O'Sullivan, Ballarat; the Rev. M. Shanahan, Creswick; the Rev. H. England, St. Patrick's, Melbourne ; the Rev. P. O'Meara, St. Patrick's ; the Rev. Dr. Barsanti, O.S.F., St. Patrick's; the Rev. J. Martin, St. Francis's, Melbourne; the Rev. J. J. McGillicuddy, Williamstown ; the Rev. R. Meade, Kilmore; the Rev. T. A. Moore, Geelong ; and the Rev. T. Callanan.

The funeral cortege left St. Mary's at a quarter to three o'clock, its departure being witnessed by a very large crowd of spectators who, in the narrow street, caused some little difficulty in getting a clear road. Passing-bells were tolled at St. Paul's and St. Mary's. A hot wind prevailed at the time, and clouds of warm, sickening dust caused everybody to feel very uncomfortable. The procession went slowly down Moorabool street, thence along Great Malop street, and up Yarra street, into Great Ryrie street, and thence on to the Queenscliffe road. The order of the procession was as follows:—First came the cross-bearers and the choristers, followed by fifty boys from the Orphanage, clad in grey, with crape rosettes ; then followed between forty and fifty girls, with black bands and sashes over white, and it seems superfluous to state that in Archdeacon Downing these children have lost their warmest, friend. Then came 300 boys and girls from the various Roman Catholic schools in town, followed by a numerous party of police, nearly 30 in number, under the command of Superintendent Bookey—all the men not on duty, in fact—every man having voluntarily attended to mark his respect for the deceased. Next came about 120 members of St. Patrick's Society, their green scarfs, with the harp in gold, and tipped with gold, having a very nice effect, and behind them came the hearse, with its nodding plumes, containing the remains of their departed patron and friend, this portion of the procession being directly under the supervision of Mr. J. W. Hudson, whose arrangements were very complete. The clergy—in all 30—followed the hearse in three mourning and four private carriages ; and then came the late Ven. Archdeacon's private carriage, and the servants at the Presbytery. Eighty mourners on foot succeeded, and then came a long string of carriages, cabs, carts, and vehicles of all descriptions, containing persons of every denomination, all alike anxious to pay the last token of respect to the deceased. In Moorabool street we counted 72 vehicles and these were followed by two or three score horsemen. As showing the length of the procession, it may be stated that, as the last horseman came out of Little Myers street, the cortege extended down Moorabool street, along Great Malop street, up Yarra street, and abreast with the gates of the Hospital. There the inmates had turned out on the steps— all, at least, who could rise from their beds ; and a little further on, ranged on the footpath, were the girls of the Industrial School. The procession was not quite so long as the Rev. Father Power's funeral, but then, it must be remembered, that a very much shorter notice was given, and the weather was very unpleasant. As it passed through the streets the blessings showered down on the head of the deceased by poor people, unable to follow him to the grave, testified in the strongest possible manner to his right to be called the "father of the poor."

The gate of the cemetery was reached, without accident, at a quarter past 4 o'clock. The coffin having been removed from the hearse, was carried to the grave by the pall-bearers—Messrs. P. Macdonald, M. Treacey. J. McGonigal, D. Hourigan, Martin Ryan, and O'Driscoll (of the Orphanage)—followed by numerous members of the funeral procession, all uncovered. Arrived at the grave, the usual prayers were read by the Vicar-General, and then the coffin was lowered into the vault, the grave thus closing over the remains of one who will be long remembered and deeply regretted.

Tribute to his Memory

From the same paper we take the following:—
The general feeling of sorrow which was exhibited by the people of Geelong yesterday, on the occasion of the interment of the remains of the late Archdeacon Downing, may be accepted as unquestionable testimony to the love and respect in which he was held, not only by his own congregation, but by all with whom he came in contact, and especially by the humbler classes of the people. Long resident in Geelong, he made himself popular as a clergyman, not by his eloquence (for he made no pretensions to the character of a brilliant orator), but by a life of usefulness and charity. To all good works he gave a helping hand, and never permitted any narrow sectarian views to rule his conduct or limit his benevolence. He was one of the earliest, and to the last one of the best, patrons and friends of our local hospital; and to him, and to a clergyman who has only just left us for another scene of labour, the burgesses and those whom the hospital has aided are very much indebted for the long and unwearied services which they gave to it. The alleviation of distress, indeed—of body as well as of soul—was the ruling and becoming passion of the deceased, and in following up his humane and Christian instincts he forgot self, seeing in money nothing more than the means, so far as it would go, of relieving want and doing good. So far was this carried that the Presbytery was sought from far and near by persons seeking help, and the great heart which is now still never refused relief, whether the applicants were really deserving or no, seeing only in the poverty before him, however brought about, something which the good Samaritan could not pass by. Of him it may be said as of Goldsmith's village pastor, "that e'en his failings leaned to virtue's side. Though never a brilliant preacher, he, by his precept and example, "allured to brighter worlds and led the way."

The Ballarat Star thus pays homage to the virtues of the deceased clergyman:—
When the announcement reached Ballarat, on Monday, that the Very Reverend Dean Downing had died at Geelong on Sunday night deep regret was felt by all who had known the deceased gentleman during his long career in this colony. His many virtues were being discussed everywhere on Monday. He was liberal to a fault, and such was his liberality that, to use the words of many of his friends, he never had a penny in his pocket, and would beg and borrow to assist in any benevolent or charitable purpose. He was a true father to the orphans at Geelong, and by his death they have lost a benefactor, who would have worked until his last hour and spent his last shilling for their good. His charitable nature and kindness of disposition, will bake his memory dear to all who knew him.

Anecdotes of his Early Career at Ballarat

Dean Downing was often heard to say that when he came first to the Ballarat diggings there was only one woman here, and he used to tell some funny stories about himself and his little canvas church at Brown Hill. Once, he used to tell his friends, in the old digger-hunting days before the Stockade, he took off his coat and shouldered a spade to dig a trench near his tent to carry off the water. While he was at work, a trooper bailed him up and demanded his license but, of course, after a little explanation, he was left alone. Once he got bushed in the scrub about the Brown Hill, and only found his way to the settlement after a good deal of difficulty and wandering. At another time he got into a waterhole at White Flat in the darkness, and narrowly escaped losing his life. During the Eureka Stockade outbreak the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Forster, sent for Dean Downing, knowing his great influence among the diggers. The rev. gentleman, who had only just left Ballarat, at once returned at this call, and used his influence to good purpose in trying to pacify men whose wrongs had turned them to defy the laws.

The Rev. Archdeacon Downing
(Died Dec. 4, 1870.)
Hark! I hear again the passing bell,
Another name the "Requiem" lists to swell;
Again the orphans mourn, and suppliant stand.
In prayer for him, the ever-open-hand;
Truly have they abundant cause to weep,
When he, their Father, takes his last long sleep.
But mingled with their cry a seraph lay
Of welcome floats around, which seems to say—
"Well done, thou faithful servant of our Lord,
Come and enjoy your long-desired reward;
The prayers of those you fed and clad ascend,
And they in union with our welcome blend;
In Faith and Hope thy worldly cares found rest,
Closely entwined with Charity, twice blest—
Come, then, and join our own celestial band,
That round His awful throne for ever stand—
Come, for the widow's prayer has reached the ear
Of Him who knows to dry the widow's tear;
He bids us welcome thee from toil and care,
His heavenly kingdom and His love to share."
So sang the angel choir, as up they bore
That Christian soul, to suffer now no more.
The poor and destitute have lost a friend,
Who never spared his purse their lot to mend;
He laid up treasures where no moth nor rust
Can e'er consume, nor turn into dust;
His blameless life has found a happy close—
Grant him, O Lord, for evermore repose.
J.M.

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Ballarat Catholics in the Gold Rush Days, Advocate, Melbourne, 9 April 1947, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172486729:

Bishop Goold was away in the homeland during 1852, endeavouring to secure recruits for his mission, and the sudden rise of Ballarat might have presented a serious difficulty to the Vicar-General, Dr. Geoghegan. But the arrival of Father Matthew Downing, on August 8, enabled him to send there one of the great missionaries of the early days of Victoria. Father Downing was a native of Kenmare, County Kerry, who had been ordained for the Augustinian Order in 1821. After many years of apostolic work in Rome and Ireland, he volunteered for the Port Arthur mission in Van Dieman's Land in 1849. During 1852, he followed his flock to the goldfields of Victoria. For a while he was stationed at Mount Alexander, but the new rush to Ballarat, which had started in March of that year, assumed such huge proportions that a clergyman was needed urgently, and he was appointed chaplain there in November at a salary of £300, a surprising figure until we remember the exorbitant price of commodities on the goldfields. His first baptism in the district was November 13, just twelve months after the departure of Father Dunne.