Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-03-09
F o r EIGN.
CFrom the Gentleman's Magazine

lrToM "ee UeHttemGH shdgdZtne.
MONKS OF LA TRAPPE IN ENGLAND
The Monastery of La Trappe lies be-
tween Luiwortli Castle and the sea-coast.
but secured from storms and sheltered on
all sides the building stands in bottom !;
the scenery about it is enriched with plan
tahons. Soon after the commencement
OF the French revolution, when the reli-
glous OF all kinds were obliged to seek
TINS country Tor protection, some monks of
La Trappe found an asylum at MIR.
Yields sand, as they increased 10 num-
Der: he erected the present building. fun
der the sanction of government Tor their
habitatiOn, which may, with strict propri
ETY., assume the name of convent. This
monastery is of 9uadrangular shape, with
aschilling in the inside, forming the cIois-
tiers, and the area depository Of the dead.
We observed seven graves. TO some of
which were added wooden cross. either
at the head or feet; the living may be said
10 reside with the dead; that they may be
continually reminded of their mortal state,
agrave is always left open for the recep-
ton oil the next that dies. The cloisters
are used for air and exercise in bad wea
Their, having large cistern at one end for
the monks to wash. The entrance to the
monastery is on the west side, near the
Porter's Lodge, under long narrow
building, which serves for offices of the
meanest kind.-The porter who received
US was dressed in the habit Of convent
brother, wearing long brown robe of
coarse cloth, and cowl of the same CO.
iour over his head, leathern girdle en-.
clrcled his waist, from which suspended
his KEYS he spoke to us in whisper. and
+. desired us to. be silent. As we passed
through the first court, we fancied our
selves in former days, when the mouastic
orders fourished ; and strange and unusu-
al seemed the appearance of the monks.
IN the tull habit of ,heir order, gliding a.
long, intent on meditation. or employed
IN manual labour: but not word sooken.
FROM the court we came To an entrance
room, On the walls of which were seen fl.
cures OF saints, cruciix on a bleeding
heart, and other objects of devotion /:
thencc TO the ciolster are several crucifix-
es on the walls, TO excite adoration. We
then entered the chapel, which is not
splendid, nor highly decorated. but elc-
gantiy neat, the altar having crucifix or
ITS summit, with the paintings of the Vir-
Sln and Child, and of patron saints On
each side are stalls for the monks, with
their names inscribed, and in each stall.
large old misSal on velIum, guarded nj
me corners and sides and large clasps a
lamp burning perpetually dur. e the pre-
sence OF the Eucharist the roodloft CON
taiDs the organ.
Opposite to the chapel are private ora
tories, embellished as usual, with paintings
OF a religious kind, c,ucifxes, the Virgin
and Child, and whole length of Armand
Jean Bouthlllier de Rance, who was abbot
and reformer of the ordcr-From another
part OF the cloisters we entered the chan.
ter house, whittier the monks retire when
their meal is over, not TO beguiIe away
their time in trifling conversation, but In
reading religious books, saving yesners
and other evening prayers, and in publi,
self-accusation I; the walls of this room are
covered with religious prints and at the
entrance hung up board with pegs, on
which were suspended bits of wood. in
scribed with the names of all the monks
that had been and are now in the convent
z. DiOnysius, p. Hyacinthus, Y. Julisnus.
Z. barnadus, 7. Plus, and others, to the
number OF eighty six on another board
was inscribed list OF the different officers
OF the church for the day, and the names
OF such Of the fathers as ofIiciated. set ON
pOsite below IL an exhortatiOn in Latin
and French, pointing out the ADVANTAGES
OF devotion, and the Importance of scIEde.
NAL. We were next shown the refectorv.
a very long room, containing a wOoden
bench, extending Oh each side ;upon the
tables were placed wooden treDcber.
bow and spoon, with napkin for each
monk, and the name Of each inscribed a.
yer his seat at the upper end sat the pri.
or, distinguished from the rest of the con-
vent only by his pastoral staff: during the
repast the lecturer delivers discourse to
the poor monks. The dormitory next at.
tracted our notice, which extends the
whole length of the building, and on each
side are ranged the cells Of the monks. IN
which they recline themselves, on wood
with one blanket and a coarse rug "a win
dow at each end to yentiIate and air the
room, Which is dark and gloomy clock
is stationed at one end, near the entrance
to warn the monks of the hour Of maths !.
and the cells ranged together Oh each side |.
like so many caves Of death, must unayoid
ably inspire melancholy reflections. he
low is the ysstment. room, where the vest