American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-12-27

lence and contemplation.
One OF their symbols resembles the ancient Gus
TOM OF the Vestal Virgins; like them they are en-.
!olnea TO watch continually over the sacred lamp
burning forever. The costume Of this community
differs essentially from that usually worm and is
sneuiarly beautiful and picturesque; but, while i.
Plea'es the eye it covers ascelc severity, their
waists being grasped under the garment by an iron
girdle, which is never loosened.
1t appears that the fortunes OF the fair being VIII
was this day TO take the veil, had been marked by
events so full Of sorrow, that her stsry, which wa.
told in whispers by those assembled was not listened
to without the deepest emotion. Circumstance, of
Inc most affecting nature, had driven her to seek
shelter in sanctuary, where the afflicted may weep
IN silence and where, i! sorrow is not assuaged its
tears are hidden.
All awaited the moment of her entrance with
anxious impatience, and on her appearance, every
eye was directed towards her with an expression OF
Inc deepest interest Spiendidy adorned. as is Gus.
tomary on these occasions. and attended by female
friend OF high rank, she slowly advanced to the seat
assigned her near the altar. Her fine form rose
above the middle stature, gentle bend marked her
contour, but it seemed as the yielding of fading
mower; her deep blue eyes, which were occasion
any IN pious awe raised to heaven, and her long
oark exclusives, gave life to beautiful countenance,
on which resignation seemed portrayed. The
places allotted to US as being strangers, whom the
Italians never fail to distinguish by the most cour-
teous manners, were such no: only to enable US
10 view the whole ceremony, but to contemplate
Inc FEATURES and expression OF this Interesting being
She was the only child Of doating parents; but
while their afflicted spirit found vert in the tears
which conrsed over checks chilled by sorrow, they
their treasure about be forever separated
from them, with that resignation which peiy inspires,
while yielding TO sacrifice made to Heaven. The
ceremony now began, the priest pronounced dis
course and the other observances proceeded in the
usual track.
AT length the solemn moment approached which
was to bind her vows 10 Heaven. She arose
and sttsod few moments before the altar; when
suddenly, yet with useless action, she sank extend
ed on the marble floor and instantly the long black
pail was thrown over her. Every heart seemed to
shudder, and amomentary pause ensued when the
deep silence was broken, by the low tones oil the
organ accompanied by soft and beautiful female
voices, singing the service Of the dead the requiem
The sound gently sweIed in the air, and as the har
nonious volume became more powerful the
deep church bell at intervals sounded with loud
Glamour, exciting a mixed feeling of agitation
and grandeur.
Tears were the silent expression of the emotion
which thrilled through every heart This sol mn
music continued long. and still fell mournfuy ON the
ear; and yet seraphic as in soened tones, and as i,
were reccding in the distance, it gently sank into
IL
advancing towards the priest, she bent down. kneel
ing at his feet, while he cut lock Of her hair as
type OF the ceremony that to deprive her Of this,
to her no longer valued, ornament. Her attendant
then despoiled her Of the rich Jewels with which
she was adorned; her splendid upper ves,ure was
thrown Oft and replaced BY monastic garment
her long tresses bound up, her temples covered
with fair linens; the white crown, emblem of limo
cence, liked on her head, and the cruci6x placed in
her hands,
Then kneeling low once more before the altar,
she uttered her last vow to Heaven at which mo.
ment the organ and choristers burst forth in loud
shouts Of triumph, and in the instant the can
non from ST. Angelo gave notice that the solemn
vows were registered.
The ceremony finished, she arose and attended
in procession, proceeded towards wide iron gate,
dividing the church from the monastery, which,
opening wide, displayed small chapel beautifully
Illuminated; thousand lights shed billiant lus.
tire, whose heightened CLEANS seemed sinking into
darkness as they shot through the long perspective
OF the distant AISLE In the fore ground, in blszing
focus OF light, stood an altar, from which in d.
vided line, the nuns Of the community were seen.
each holding large burning wax taper. They
seemed I'd be disposed in order Of seniority, and the
two youngest were still adorned with the white
crown, as being in the first week Of the noviciae.
Both seemed in early youth, and their cheeks, ye,
unpaled BY monustic vigils bloomed with bright
ened tint, while their eyes sparkled. anda smile
seemed struggling with the solemni,y OF the mo.
ment in expression Of their innocent delight in be-
holding the approach Of her who had tina, day of.
fered up her VOWS, and become one of the commu-
nifty.
The others stood in succession, with looks more
subdued, pale, mild collected, the head gently bend
ing towards the earth in conte mplalion. The pro-
cesson stopped at the Threshold of the church, when
the young nun was received and embraced by the
Lady Abbess, who, leading her EDWARDS, was fol-
lowed in procession by the nuns, each bearing her
lighted torch. I