opposite St. Louis - Crossed the river - Rested several days at the house of the Bishop -Went to St. Ferdinand fifteen miles from St. Louis to complete their two years of probation and to found the second novitiate of the Society of Jesus in the United States, and to prosecute their studies in philosophy and theology until 1827, the year of their ordination.- Number of novices increased from year to year - Churches were erected at St. Charles and other places, and the University of St. Louis was founded in 1830.
Distance traveled in 1823, 1,256 miles.
1833.
Left St. Louis for Europe under orders of his Superior on business for the Society and on account of his health - Traveled by way of Washington to New York, where he embarked (second passage of the ocean)-Landed at Havre, France, and proceeded thence via Paris and Rouen to Belgium - Arrived at Termonde, his birthplace.
Distance traveled, 4,987 miles.
1834.
Visited the principal cities of Belgium - Embarked at Antwerp with three candidates to return to America - Was taken dangerously ill on the North Sea as a result of tempestuous weather and violent sea-sickness - Advised by physician that he could not stand journey - Landed at Deal in the Downs, England - Traveled by stage to Margate, by steamboat to London, by stage to Dover - Crossed the channel to Calais -Passed by Dunkirk and Lille into Belgium, and to Termonde.
Distance traveled, 480 miles.
1835-1836.
Father De Smet spent these years in traversing the principal cities of Belgium, Holland and France on business of the Society.
Distance traveled in the two years, 738 miles.